After watching the 1st, I was worried that the old Anaheim strategy of pulling the Flames into a street fight and getting them off their game still worked. In the end I think the Flames turned the tables nicely using speed and execution as opposed to emotion. I also think this game would have been far more in control if that Gaudreau cross bar in the first goes in on the PP.
I believe the strategy the Flames played last night is the easiest way to beat the Oilers. Pull their undisciplined goons into an emotional game, play McDavid tough so that they self neutralize the line and execute on the inevitable power plays. Backlund played an amazing game against McDavid (and has for the last 3 or 4 vs the oil). The only sniff McDavid got was when Backlund was in the box.
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Go Flames Go
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