Been hyped all day and am going to pound 10+ beers at the Dome tonight. Can't wait. Let's go!
The Flames match-up extremely well with the Avalanche and should have no problem dominating them, especially at home.
- The Avalanche will clog up the neutral zone to try and force the Flames into dump-and-chase hockey. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't work every time. Stick with the process and you will be rewarded.
- MacKinnon is a top-five one-on-one transition player in the league. He is so explosive so the Flames have to keep good gaps and angles. Shut him down and the Avalanche's only hope is a heroic goaltending performance.
- Mike Smith needs to keep his composure and not try and be a hero behind the net. Lessen defencemen getting run, but you don't have to touch the puck every single time it gets dumped in.
- Regardless of Flames goalie, stay compact with the puck in tight and tighten up laterally. Possible target on Grubauer, though?
