[djsFlames]

All my hockey fan life I've been used to seeing the Flames go into the playoffs as underdogs and that's just the way I like it.

Playoffs wouldn't be as fun if there wasn't a feel of a David and Goliath scenario where the good guys had to slay the giant and the world was against them. Makes winning so much sweeter the rare time it has happened. Better than winning while being expected to. Sounds just too anti climactic to me. Flames will earn their respect the hard way. Oilers seemingly already have it and they never really had to work for anything being the league's media darlings. I want everyone betting against the Flames then the Flames rising to the occasion and throwing it back in their faces. Entrees of crow all around, just the way I like it!

Also love the idea of people around the game getting behind the Oilers wagon going in, buying into a 2/3 man-led team only for them to fall flat just like they have been for years but in a much more glorious way. That team has experienced very little adversity all year and it's due to hit its first real wall. Particularly with the way they are coasting going in.

For the flames its just another year. Even in 2015 the edge in predictions I think went to the Canucks due to the experience factor and remnants of their past teams. They may fall to a really good team but I sure like them better than two years ago and am especially intrigued to see all the players having ample reason to get up for the games and leaving it all on the ice. There are always surprise heroes that come out of the woodwork when they bring that extra 10% for the postseason. Maybe we finally see big game Brouwer, or hell, Gillies comes in and is the backup that saves the day. Get pumped, folks. Anything can happen.