Ducks lead best of 7 series 2-0.
One picture is all that's necessary as far as I'm concerned. An early goal was all the Ducks needed yet again at the Honda Center. A dominant first period by the Ducks gave them just enough to take a 2-0 series lead. Now this series is far from over, but the Ducks have taken control so far without much pushback from the Flames. Yes, there was a better effort in the 2nd and 3rd, and you could see the Flames finally figure out their gameplan again, but it might already be too little too late when you're playing a team like the Ducks. You could see it in the last game; the Flames will still likely make a game of it the rest of the way, but the Ducks are too strong and too consistent in every area of the game to have a collapse big enough to lose this series.
You are probably all saying that I'm being pessimistic. No, not really, just being a realist. Talk to me after the Ducks actually lose a playoff game, as they are unbeaten so far in the playoffs, lest we forget. The Ducks are much farther along than us developmentally, and are primed for a deep playoff run with a nearly healthy roster, saving their best hockey of the season for the playoffs. We, on the other hand, are an upstart, plucky group, that has played well, but have definitely had positive results above what our talent and experience level would indicate. That's not even considering the growing list of injured and walking wounded. Not an excuse, but there's much less depth in our organization to compensate for losses. Even players like Ferland, who was an injury replacement that not only filled the gap, but played exceptionally well, have been hit by injuries. You can only deal with so much before the effectiveness of your roster falls apart. We have been seeing that breaking point the last two games, as the Ducks have piled on our physical woes with incredibly physical play. There's no shame in losing in this situation, but we can at least hope for the Flames to go down swinging. Make Anaheim earn every second of every game. If they can do that the rest of the way I'll be extremely satisfied.
All that being said, this Flames team has surprised me all year long, and when their backs were against the wall they've responded. Tonight is a "must-win" game for many reasons. You have to win on home ice to have success in the playoffs, even if just for psychological reasons. Not only that, a loss would put the Flames down 3-0, and that would be pretty much it for the season at that point. This has to be their most consistent and focused effort of the series tonight. Do that, and they have a fighting chance. Run around with their heads cut off like they did through the first 4 periods, and this is going to be a quick series.
Roster Notes: John Gibson is still out "sick", and is unlikely to play tonight, not that it matters much with Andersen playing well. The Flames have a lot of actual injuries and player playing with injuries to deal with. There's been little to no news of any roster changes, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Diaz in tonight to try and help out the 3rd pairing. After such a strong performance from Ramo, expect to see him in net again. Flames lineup is a guess at best.
Flames
Bennett-Monahan-Hudler
Gaudreau-Backlund-Jones
Ferland/Raymond-Stajan-Colborne
Raymond/Granlund/Wolf-Jooris-Bollig
Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Diaz-Schlemko
Ramo
Ducks
Maroon-Getzlaf-Perry
Beleskey-Kesler-Silfverberg
Cogliano-Rakell-Palmieri
Etem-Thompson-Jackman
Lindholm-Beauchemin
Fowler-Despres
Stoner-Vatanen
Andersen
GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!!!