The Psychological Advantage: Oilers and Penguins will advance

[ToewsFan]

When a team is at a psychological advantage against it's opponent, it more often then not goes on to win. A recent example would be the Anaheim Ducks advantage over the Calgary Flames. The Flames fought hard all series, but deep down, I truly don't believe the Flames ever believed that they would beat the Ducks in the playoffs.

The last time Calgary won a game in Anaheim was over a decade ago. Anaheim has dominated the Flames in every playoff series the two teams have faced. At the end of the day, the Ducks found a way to win. The same can be said about the Penguins-Capitals series. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins have always defeated the Capitals when it meant something. It is guaranteed to happen again. The Capitals will never admit so, but most do not believe they will defeat the mighty Penguins, even though they finished #1 overall in the standings. Washington has been through this road before, and has come up short just about every time.

The Oilers had an improbable run to the Cup final in 2006. They defeated Anaheim on the road to the finals. If the Oilers had any kind of losing streak since that time frame, it is because they were dreadful, not due to any psychological disadvantage. Obviously much accounts for winning a series, but I believe the Oilers and Penguins will dispose of their opponents in 6 games. I think it is clear that the Oilers truly believe they can win this series. I also think the Flames did not believe they could defeat the Ducks. Even though it was a sweep, I think if Calgary had exorcised it's demons in the 2015 playoffs, things may have been different.

Just my two cents.


Thoughts?

[Love]

TLDR: Oiler fan predicts his team winning

[EldrickOnIce]

No

[mister__big]

Yes because even though both teams are now comprised of nearly completely different players than 11 years ago, the ghost of Ryan Smyth still haunts the Ducks to ensure they will never again win a playoff series against the Oilers. That's exactly how it works.

[crapshoot]

Makes for a nice narrative. Nothing more to it than that though.

[edslunch]

The Flames and Penguins cases I can see. But the Oilers carrying a psychological advantage from one series 11 years ago? Seriously??

[TheScorpion]

You are such an odd poster.

[Hockeyguy15]

Do your part, don't forget to rate the thread.

Terrible.

At least the tag is right.

[BigRed]

Cool story, bro.

If the Oilers win it will be due to superior goaltending, as in game 1.


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[Jason14h]

You have a good point, just makes no sense with the Oilers.

Brady over Manning before he broke through, Anahiem over Flames, Pitts over Wash, coyotes over you. These are all real example and I think it does play a part.

I'm pretty sure no one on Anaheim has the Oilers in their heads.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

coyotes over you.

This is the best part of this thread. The streak in Anaheim is one thing, but the Arizona Coyotes?

[FanIn80]

Federer over Roddick? Absolutely.
Oilers over Ducks? Not even close.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is the best part of this thread. The streak in Anaheim is one thing, but the Arizona Coyotes?

Or this.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=161512

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by ToewsFan

...
Thoughts?

Another dumb thread.

[CaptainCrunch]

Sometimes I look longingly at the hammer in my tool box and thing "Is it possible to beat myself to death with it"

[flylock shox]

I actually think those two teams do have a psychological advantage, but it flows from having players like Crosby and McDavid on them. Guys like that embolden the rest of the players on their teams. I wouldn't be shocked if this ended up as the final, which would be a dream for the NHL.

[Erick Estrada]

I picked the Oilers to advance by the Ducks but it has nothing to do with psychology and everything to do with the Oilers having a much better goaltender. You aren't going to run into too many playoff teams that have horrendous goaltending and make 5 man line changes at once and the Ducks now face a team that's not going to beat themselves like the Flames.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Do your part, don't forget to rate the thread.

Terrible.

At least the tag is right.

Just adding my usual post to help the others...

[flamesfan1297]

This was true for the Flames-Ducks series and likely the Caps-Pens series, but I guarantee you nobody on Anaheim is scared of the Oilers

[direwolf]