Seven reasons the Flames will win Game 7:
1) Jacob Markstrom will beat Jake Oettinger
Earlier in the series, Markstrom made it his personal mission to be better than the guy at the other end of the ice. Oettinger is on a heater, but Markstrom will be just as good, if not better for the Flames.
2) Depth scoring
As we saw in the Game 7s yesterday, depth scoring was a key factor. Flames have shown more depth and have the edge in this department. Who will the hero be tonight?
3) Home ice advantage
The Dome will be rocking tonight, and the C of Red will be turned up to 11. Oet-tin-gerrrrrrrrrrrr.
4) Sutter-time
Darryl Sutter came back to Calgary to win in the playoffs and chew bubblegum, and he’s all out of bubblegum. #unfinishedbusiness
5) BoA looms
If the hockey gods want a Battle of Alberta — and surely they do — it means a Flames win tonight will happen.
6) Johnny Hockey will not be denied
Johnny has taken his game to another level in the playoffs, silencing the doubters that said he would fade away in the postseason. He is, and will be the best player on the ice in the biggest game of the season.
7) Passing the ultimate test
The Flames have worked all season to get to this point by playing structured, consistent, disciplined hockey, which is the same way Sutter will want them to play tonight. Flames showed their mettle with their backs against the wall in Game 4 and coming from behind in Game 5, and surely learned from their mistakes in letting Game 6 slip away after tying it 2-2. They now have the ultimate test in a winner-takes-all Game 7, and as a team they will find a way to get the W. Because that’s when Sutter is impressed.
GFG.