Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Regarding the whole, Flames didn't deserve to win, the Oilers were better argument, I think there were two things that happened in the first two games that changed the series and ultimately led to the Oilers winning it:
1) Markstrom was horrific in game 1, which can destroy a team's confidence. if he had bounced back and been great in game 2, no problem. But he was bad again in game 2. Devastating for the team's confidence and a GIANT boost to the Oilers' confidence.
2) The officiating in game 2. Every time the Flames tried to play physically, they got a penalty. It changed the way they played, and they were never really physical again after that.
The Flames dominated game 1. And they dominated again early in game 2. The 21 penalty calls in game 2, along with Markstrom's play, changed the series and gave the Oilers confidence, while eroding the Fames' confidence.
Now, you have to overcome those tings. In game 3, they were bad. Ga5e 4 was better - not great, but a close game. By game 5, they had adjusted and were containing McDavid. They should have won game 5 and then who knows.
But even as poorly as they played, if Markstrom plays decently, they are probably up 3-2 in the series.
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The officiating in this series was an absolute abomination. The way the game was called in game 2 for instance was nothing like how it was called in game 5. It felt to me like the league wanted the game to be played the way the Oilers liked it which was heavy special teams and wide open.
The turning point of the series was probably that weak 4 on 4 call in game 2 that lead to McDavid’s goal where undressed Markstrom to cut their deficit to 3-2. The Oilers and McDavid especially thrives on open ice whereas the Flames at time preferred to keep it 5 on 5.
From that point forward, I think the Oilers outscored the Flames something like 11 to 1. The team ended up losing confidence in Markstrom and it zapped their energy especially right out of the gate in a pivotal game 4.
If Markstrom provided better goaltending in games 4 and 5 like he’s paid to do, this series could’ve been completely different. Crapping the bed in game 4 and putting your team down 3-0 on the road is tough to recover from and that’s exactly how it played out.
Then in game 5 he was not able to shut the door much like game 2, which allowed the Oilers to constantly hang around and ultimately throw the knockout punch. Just a bad performance by one the team’s best players in a crucial position at a critical time.