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ESPN Names Calgary A Strong Candidate For O'Reilly // Flames Game Day

February 15, 2013, 12:31 PM ET [108 Comments]
Colin Dambrauskas
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter for updates and discussions: @ColinDJD
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Before getting into the game day blog discussion...Craig Custance from ESPN commented that the top three teams to likely acquire, or try to acquire Ryan O'Reilly from the Colorado Avalance were the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes.

Now, O'Reilly would definitively be a promising center which the Flames should do everything in their power to acquire, however they do not have a wealth of assets which could entice the Avs. The Flames currently have many young goaltenders in their system, and some promising youth who are not NHL ready…but is it worth moving any of them before they have a better idea of what they have? Guys like Gaudreau, for example.

Not sure the Flames are one of the teams who can likely compete for a guy like O’Reilly, but you have to be sure that Feaster will do everything he can if they are open to offers…they really need to add talented youth down the middle!

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Tonight the Calgary Flames will take on the St Louis Blues and it’s sure to be a battle. Both teams have just turned around a losing streak and will be determined to extend it. St. Louis has had a respectable start to the season sitting at 7-5-1, but like the Flames, their fans expect more from the Blues.

The ultimate equalizer tonight is both teams ailing goalies. As all Flames fans know, Kiprusoff is still out and we won’t see him until at least next month. Blues net minder Halak is listed as day to day with a groin strain and has missed their last five games. As such, the Blues have leaned on rookie goalie Jake Allen and struggling back up Brian Elliot. Sound familiar?

These teams also match up in terms of power play and kill, both having relative success on the power play but definite trouble on the kill. Like Calgary they often outshoot their opponents but their goals for and against are dead even at 3.23 each. Calgary has had less success averaging fewer goals for than against. On every stat, St Louis has a modest edge over Calgary except in the shots department where the Flames have a slight edge.

St Louis’ goalie dilemma is a bone for Calgary. The Flames have the ability to get off a lot of shots and should be able to convert against an inexperienced goalie. Wednesday night’s game proved the Flames can score but, not to sound like a broken record, the blue liners have yet to prove consistency. Tonight they will need to remain strong and limit shots on net and play conservatively.

Defense will also want to keep an eye on Blues left wing Steen who has put up 6 points in 4 games, most notably the overtime winner in their win over Detroit Wednesday night. The Flames will need to keep him at bay and end his scoring streak. For those who argue the offense needs to step up just as much as the defense…well…the Flames currently sit 7th in the league for goals per game.

There’s good news for Horak fans; he will suit up for tonight’s game after Byron was injured Wednesday night. Horak played the first 2 games of the season with the Flames and posted 1 assist. He leads the Abbotsford Heat with 14 goals and 21 points. It appears that Horak will center the Czech line to replace Stajan, who will likely be paired with Cammalleri. There is a definite argument, however, to keep Tanguay, Cervenka, and Hudler together after they put up a combined 5 points and made some brilliant passes. They also pair well with Wideman on the blueline so perhaps Hartley will keep the same game plan they used against Dallas in that respect.

If the Flames can replicate their offensive game against Dallas they should be able to make their way up the Northwest leader board. They pushed passed Colorado after Wednesday and aren’t too far behind Edmonton or Minnesota.

The Blues defense has been a liability and the Flames were on Fire against Dallas, so tonight’s game, although a challenge, should present Calgary with an opportunity for two points. Talks of rebuilding were somewhat hushed after Wednesday’s win. If the Flames want to permanently shut that door, they need to roll their energy into tonight’s game and roll over the Blues.


Thanks for reading!




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