[united]

This should be a fun series between two teams whose top lines thrive on the rush. Obviously, one has the huge advantage on the blue line while the other the huge advantage in goal.

As much well-deserved criticism as Monahan gets for his indifference to play in his own end by way of conserving energy for offence instead of fully committing to both ends of the ice, Scheifele is even worse in that aspect of the game - one of the worst defensive centres in the league behind the Oilers' duo. So poor, in fact, I'm comfortable in the Flames matching either the first or second lines head-to-head with the Jets' top trio - the Monahan line can hang playing run-and-gun, while the Backlund line can easily frustrate Winnipeg's group. Regardless of which line coach Ward gives the assignment, the other group should be able to handily outplay whatever depth group they face on the other side.

The one thing that can cause the Flames significant issues, just as it did last year, is the Jets' counter-attacking speed. Continuing the trend of last year's playoffs disaster, the Flames ranked 31st in the NHL this season in rush goals against, while the Jets ranked 1st in rush goals for (per Sports Logiq). Last year, the Flames' forwards - in particular the top line - cheated for offensive even more than they usually do and got burned by a lack of positional discipline by the third forward (third man high). The wave of resulting odd-man rushes, combined with the Avalanche's explosive speed, compounded in the Flames' defenders collapsing to their own crease destroying neutral zone structure. Though while the Flames finished last again, both coach and GM have spent the past four or five months preaching positional discipline with a focus on the top line. I believe that with that hammered home, we'll see the top line with a new disciplined focus, although relying on a historically poor unit to change their game against the best counter-attacking team in the league is perhaps a bit much to ask. However should things start poorly, coach Ward can easily match Backlund's line, and their superb positional awareness, into the matchup. Regardless, recognizing switches and maintaining tactical discipline will be critical when the Jets' top line is out there.

On the back end, everybody knows that the Flames hold an enormous advantage, with all three Flames' pairings being better than their Jets counterparts for my money - and further, I like the Flames' 2nd pairing more then the Jets' 1st. The Jets defenceman, as a group, are immobile, poor defensively, and poor puck movers. In particular, they are heavily susceptible to a relentless forecheck as they often punt when pressured - if not turn the puck over outright. Luckily for the Flames, lines 2-4 are all strong forecheckers who will be able to have tremendous success against the Jets breakout so long as the third forward high tracks appropriately, which is especially important against breakout and neutral zone machine, Nik Ehlers.

The Jets, of course have the advantage on the powerplay but the Flames (aside from 93) are fairly composed and disciplined.

All that said, controlling play is one thing. Scoring is another. Even the biggest Flames fanatics can't help but admit that goaltending is the most one-sided aspect of this series, on paper. The series will likely play out as the Flames throwing the kitchen sink at the Jets with wave after wave entering the Jets' zone, but Hellebuyck has the ability to repel all that which can easily frustrate the Flames forwards.

Flames in 4.