Quote:
Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois
Negativity in this thread is nuts.
I don’t care whether the flames can win a coin flip game with a one line team (whose one line is crazy dominant). I care if they can win against a four line team in the 3rd or 4th round.
The answer might be not prove yes in time but the starting point is whether they are willing. Tonight was a solid yes. For the first time since chucky got hurt against Dallas.
For one night, the flames proved their biggest issue wrong. Conversely, the coilers proved every criticism right. I’m fine.
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Wow, great perspective.
The knock on the Flames was answered to an extent. They showed long glimpses of what they're capable of. It is evident that the ability is in there to dictate and be defensively stifling, even though they let off their game gradually and fell into that mental trap. The Oilers just did exactly what they've done for years and nothing new - live and die by their ability to stack all their talent on one line and play it excessively, which has never panned out for them when the games have really mattered because you have to have more to your team than that to compete. They'll beat their chests, but in the end these are hollow victories given how deep their problems remain to be.
And no, Mike Smith didn't suddenly figure it out at 39 years old.