The Flames have sputtered, choked and pretty much have had everything go terribly wrong in round 1 for most of the past 33 years. Damn straight Sutter should have them going in with the underdog mentality. Whatever other kind of group think they had previously clearly doesn't work, especially with some of this core.
IMO as good as the Flames were this season, they simply don't get the benefit of a doubt that they are a clear favorite UNTIL they get over that round 1 hump. It's been the franchises biggest obstacle since pretty much I started following the Flames as a child. Not going to get fooled again until I see it play out in real life.
Also not going to argue with a coach who has 2 rings, another finals appearance and 2 conference finals, using his underdog method.
|