Flames lead series 3-1
Well color me a little surprised. I thought the Canucks had a bit more fight in them than that. I was very impressed by the way the Flames controlled that last game from start to finish. At no point was I worried about a ‘Nucks comeback, and they didn’t really seem dangerous at all that game. People are talking about how the 4th is the hardest game to win, and there’s truth to that, but it looks like the Canucks are laying down a little as this series goes on. They just don’t seem to have an answer to the way the Flames are playing right now. They’re trying, but just aren’t finding much success doing anything. Their power play is ranked 8th of the 16 teams at 16.7%, and their penalty kill is the worst of the playoff teams, sitting currently at 63.6%, a far cry from their 2nd ranked penalty kill in the regular season.
To be fair, much credit should be given to the Flames power play for capitalizing on their chances so effectively. A 36.4% efficiency is lethal in any playoff series, but the Flames have also scored more 5 on 5, with a GF/GA ratio of 1.20. But the real credit goes to the team defense and goaltending. The Flames have a GAA of 2.00 through 4 games, tied for 3rd along with the Islanders, and just behind the Canadiens and Rangers. That’s a pretty good list to be part of. In a post-season already dominated by goaltenders, Hiller is sporting a 1.79 GAA and a .938 Sv%. Pretty gaudy numbers for a guy that had a 2.36 GAA and a .918 Sv% in the regular season. His play, and the play of the team in front of him clearing the rebounds away, is the biggest reason why the Canucks only have 1 player in the top 60 in playoff scoring (Bo Horvat: 3 points). A quick shout-out to Kris Russell for his exceptional play so far. He has 4 points in 4 games, 12th in playoff scoring. In any case, being a PPG defenseman in the playoffs is truly exceptional, and that’s not even looking at his strong defensive play and shot blocking. He’s really taken over as an on-ice leader ever since Giordano went down with injury and justified Hartley and co. making him an alternate captain at the beginning of the year. I think most of us had a reaction of “Really?” when we heard that news. I know I did. I guess I didn’t see what Bob saw back then, but I see it now.
That suffocating defense is one of the reasons that the Canucks are looking to Sven Baertschi to add some supplemental offense to a lineup that has struggled to score the last 2 games. As per the lines at practice yesterday, it looks as though Sven Baertschi will not only make his playoff debut, but also play his first game against the Calgary Flames. He was pretty tight-lipped about the possibility of being extra motivated against his old team, so don’t expect it to be too emotional for him or the Flames.
So it comes down to tonight, an elimination game in an unfriendly building. Will the Canucks find an extra gear and pull themselves back in this series? The fan AND the analyst in me says no. They might win this game tonight, but I don’t see a miraculous comeback in the series. I originally thought this one would go 7 games, and I’ll be happy to be wrong.
Roster Notes: Burrows is confirmed to be out for the remainder of the series. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Brad Richardson looks to be unlikely for tonight’s game, as he did not practice with the team yesterday. Linden Vey looks to be out in favor of Baertschi. The Canucks lines are based on their most recent practice, but don’t be surprised if they change again. No clue on who the starter will be, but it will likely be Lack. The Flames held another optional skate yesterday, and Hartley is unlikely to change the lineup that has won 2 big games in a row, so you can probably expect the same lineup as last game. Wotherspoon had another solid 5 minutes of game play
so you can likely expect him to remain in the lineup.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bennett-Backlund-Colborne
Ferland-Stajan-Jones
Bollig-Jooris-Raymond
Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Schlemko-Wotherspoon
Hiller
Canucks
D. Sedin-H. Sedin-McMillan
Higgins-Bonino-Vrbata
Kenins-Matthias-Dorsett
Baertschi-Horvat-Hansen
Edler-Tanev
Hamhuis-Weber
Bieksa-Sbisa
Lack
GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!!