My biggest problem is that I am impatient. Flames make the playoffs? Awesome. They are down 2-0 in the series? WTF is wrong with this team? It's easy to forget that last year we drafted 6th overall and took Tkachuk. Now I expect them to be unbeatable and get mad when they lose.
Now that I've said that, here's my optimism. The Flames are on the rise. Monahan and Gaudreau are both 23 or less... fantastic news for Flames fans and this team for the next decade. As each year passes our young guys are just getting smarter and stronger. Mony, Johnny, Bennett, Tkachuk, Dougie... all young guys. We are going up against teams who have been in the playoffs consistently and know how to win. Eventually Monahan will become our Getzlaf of the team... and win 12 of 14 face offs in a playoff game (I thought I heard that stat on the radio).
My heightened optimism? We are closer than we think to being a legit threat. We had Anaheim flustered in the 2nd... not everyone can do that. It's been mental breakdowns, stupid penalties and pure luck (anyone who tries to tell me that the GWG wasn't flukey as crap is out to lunch) that has us down in this series. We haven't been dominated this series like we were 2 years ago.
If the flames can win both at home and make this a best of 3... I really like our chances. IMO we've been the better team for the majority of both games, the bounces just haven't gone our way and the Ducks have been able to draw penalties on us. Perry conveniently running into Dougie trying to make a pick and Dougie hanging onto Perry's stick as a result makes my blood boil.
Go flames go!
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