[CP Story] Flames Canucks Round One Preview

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2015/04/p...nucks-preview/

Where am I right? Wrong?

[ComixZone]

Thanks Bingo!

I think we win games 1, 3, 4 and 6 as we take the series in 6 games.

Bennett is going to have a larger impact than any of us think. Why? Simply "because". Everything has gone so right this year from a development standpoint, and that streak is going to continue. Bennett was the best player in last year's entry draft, and his tenacity/testicular fortitude has him built for the playoffs. He finishes the series with 6 points in 6 games behind only Monahan who has 8 points in 6 games, including 3 game winners (2 in OT).

Also, Paul Byron scores twice - on breakaways.

[Flashpoint]

I think you nailed it.

[Erick Estrada]

I've always been of the opinion that the Flames would be one and done in the playoffs so it pains me that they are facing the Canucks. My theory is that their collapsing style in their own end is not condusive to playoff success seeing the more the opposition sees it the more adapt they will be at solving it and setting up plays and cycles that take advantage of the extra zone time they will receive. I will be extremely happy to eat crow here but I like the Sedin's cycle game in a 7 game series against the Flames defense without Giordano.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I've always been of the opinion that the Flames would be one and done in the playoffs so it pains me that they are facing the Canucks. My theory is that their collapsing style in their own end is not condusive to playoff success seeing the more the opposition sees it the more adapt they will be at solving it and setting up plays and cycles that take advantage of the extra zone time they will receive. I will be extremely happy to eat crow here but I like the Sedin's cycle game in a 7 game series against the Flames defense without Giordano.

Totally disagree. Collapsing and blocking shots in the playoffs have both Anaheim and Edmonton trips to the finals. What may be Calgary's undoing (maybe) is their complete lack of physicality. They're going to get run into the ground at some point and if they have no push back, they're done.

Vancouver isn't the team to do that though, so flames in 5

[GranteedEV]

Wait, we would have home ice over the Jets?

[belsarius]

I call it Flames in 5.

The Flames shock the Canucks tonight and that leaves them reeling into a game 2 loss. Game 3 in Calgary the Canucks come to play and win a double OT marathon. Game 4 sees the return of Ramo with a stellar 50 save performance. Game 5 gets back to Vancouver but the Flames are up for it and win a fast paced game of pond hockey with a patented 3rd period 2 goal deficit comeback!

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I've always been of the opinion that the Flames would be one and done in the playoffs so it pains me that they are facing the Canucks. My theory is that their collapsing style in their own end is not condusive to playoff success seeing the more the opposition sees it the more adapt they will be at solving it and setting up plays and cycles that take advantage of the extra zone time they will receive. I will be extremely happy to eat crow here but I like the Sedin's cycle game in a 7 game series against the Flames defense without Giordano.

Disagree. The Flames defensive system is conducive to playoff success in a long series, in the way that they can frustrate opposing teams while expending very little energy themselves. The Sedins can cycle the puck in the corner all they want but if they can't get pucks through to the net, though their Corsi may look great, they won't have success. I worry more about injuries due to blocking shots.

[Bingo]

I think Hartley is key.

As I said in the story, he's altered the way the Flames play two or three times this season ... big big changes

That's a huge thing to have on your side in a playoff series.

Monahan and Gaudreau haven't flinched down the stretch, that bodes really well for Calgary.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Totally disagree. Collapsing and blocking shots in the playoffs have both Anaheim and Edmonton trips to the finals. What may be Calgary's undoing (maybe) is their complete lack of physicality. They're going to get run into the ground at some point and if they have no push back, they're done.

Vancouver isn't the team to do that though, so flames in 5

NYR under Torts [spits] did OK with that as well (conference finals?).

[Erick Estrada]

You guys are missing the point in that teams like the Rangers and Habs can be successful playing that style because the have Price and Lundqvist to fall back on who are typically in God mode come playoff time. Pucks are going to get by Hiller and Ramo that those guys would never let in.

[Imported_Aussie]

Hartley is one key factor. The other is Backlund.
Vancouver will be keying in on the Flames top line, so secondary scoring is a must. This is true also for Vancouver, which is why they will probably move Vrbata onto his own line to try to keep a good second option to the Sedins.

Backlund always plays well against the Canucks, and in terms of PPG he is the next guy after that top line + Wideman. He could be a guy who really steps up, and it may mean Hartley moves Stajan into the checking role with extra minutes to buy Backlund more offensive zone starts

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Hartley is one key factor. The other is Backlund.
Vancouver will be keying in on the Flames top line, so secondary scoring is a must. This is true also for Vancouver, which is why they will probably move Vrbata onto his own line to try to keep a good second option to the Sedins.

Backlund always plays well against the Canucks, and in terms of PPG he is the next guy after that top line + Wideman. He could be a guy who really steps up, and it may mean Hartley moves Stajan into the checking role with extra minutes to buy Backlund more offensive zone starts

Interesting take ...

also interesting to add on that Backlund's line has either been bolstered or boat anchored by a 18 year old kid according to line rushes.

what a story?

help with 2nd line scoring or be completely ineffective and tank the line?

[Cheese]

I dont know...I just wont underestimate the Canucks. They somehow seem driven this year to prove everyone wrong and remove that unsightly wart that was Tortorella's only season.

I love our youth and I also hope they are too young to understand the pressure and knock the Canucks out, but if they hesitate or we dont get good support from the 3/4 lines I think the Nucks take it in 6.
Bennett could be the big equalizer here...we just dont know what his game means yet. If he can elevate the second line to anything close to our top line we take it in 6....injuries aside.

[flambers]

Great write-up!!


Flames biggest challenge in this series are the Defense. Canucks have the advantage for sure...

If the Flames sustain an injury to any of their top 3 dman.

This will cost them the series in my opinion.

Flames played against the Kings basically using 5 dman. I doubt they can get threw a long series with this strategy.

[Bingo]

Flames are already hurt

#1 Dman
#5 Dman
#7 Dman
2/3 line winger
4th line winger
and possibly top goaltender

Still can't believe they are starting 6/12 forwards as either rookies (5) or a young 2nd year player

can't remember ever seeing a rebuild so completely confused with a playoff birth

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Flames are already hurt

#1 Dman
#5 Dman
#7 Dman
2/3 line winger
4th line winger
and possibly top goaltender

Still can't believe they are starting 6/12 forwards as either rookies (5) or a young 2nd year player

can't remember ever seeing a rebuild so completely confused with a playoff birth

Want Ottawa a couple years ago kind of similar?