QOTD: What to make of game one

[jar_e]

I really think its a mix of Flames not being ready and its only one game. The Ducks are obviously a good team but the Flames definitely weren't playing their best.

[McG]

one game.

Ain't even mad!

[Pepper2489]

There needs to be an 'all of the above' choice. This is basically just a list of all the issues from game one. I don't think you can choose just one thing here.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If I was Hartley I'd go completely the other way tactically ... drop the physical push to the game as they can't win that war.

Go back to that quick past transition game that had them on a roll in November. Speed, speed, speed.

Get the Ducks chasing and maybe they get worried and don't pinch as hard as a respect point to the speed.

I think its the only way they can win this series.

Oh and the Flames goaltender has to be better than Andersen

Totally concur with this....but the only problem in my eyes is that the Ducks can seemingly play it any way you want it and be very successful.

They really are a complete team and its hard to see anyone beat them unless you have a goaltender stand on his head for 4 games in a series.

The Ducks are very impressive....unfortunately.

[gvitaly]

The long break Anaheim got from the sweep in the first round had them really fresh and hungry for playoff hockey. It ended with them bringing the game to the Flames and leaning on the Flames' defense quite a bit. Unfortunately that option is not there, so I chose the three defensemen option.

Also, I think a secondary reason was that the Flames were just coming of too much of a high, from winning the first round at home, against all odds, after yet another comeback. As a result, they thought(hoped?) it will be easier than it actually was.

[Roof-Daddy]

Picked "It's only one game"

But where is the "who cares it's all gravy now!" option?

[taxbuster]

If - and only if - there is a repeat of the first game, we're in trouble.

Otherwise, it was a game where they were still high from beating Van, and had some bad bounces (most of which ended up in their net). A goal from Jooris, a timely Hiller save and the game may have been very different.

Can only hope that things go better for us at the start of Game 2.

Defence needs to move the puck more rapidly up-ice and not get trapped back along the boards behind our net, and the forwards need to put the puck on the net every chance they get, preferably low, and look for a quick chip behind Andersen. Stay in his grill.

[GranteedEV]

My takeaway was simple: More Schlemko/Brodie less Engelland/Brodie please! Engelland was on the ice for five goals... He's in a sense being targeted by them like we targetted Bieksa/Sbisa last round. Bob has to adjust and trust Schlemko with top 4 minutes.

I also don't think Anaheim's D corps is better than our healthy D corps - but ours is not healthy - Giordano, Smid, Diaz. That's three solid Dmen we're missing.

Otherwise:

Giordano > Lindholm
Brodie > Fowler
Russell > Vatanen
Wideman = Beauchemin
Stoner = Engelland
Depres > Schlemko

[FlamesAddiction]

Even a healthy Flames teams would have to play at the top of their capabilities to beat Anaheim, but I do think injuries are catching up and Anaheim is well rested. Don't get me wrong, I am not giving up but if we win, it will be an upset for the ages.

[Yamer]

The Flames simply did not look prepared for how to handle the Ducks and know what it takes to win in that building in the 2nd round. I imagine it was a harsh learning experience that will be utilized going into game 2 on Sunday.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

My takeaway was simple: More Schlemko/Brodie less Engelland/Brodie please! Engelland was on the ice for five goals... He's in a sense being targeted by them like we targetted Bieksa/Sbisa last round. Bob has to adjust and trust Schlemko with top 4 minutes.

I also don't think Anaheim's D corps is better than our healthy D corps - but ours is not healthy - Giordano, Smid, Diaz. That's three solid Dmen we're missing.

Otherwise:

Giordano > Lindholm
Brodie > Fowler
Russell > Vatanen
Wideman = Beauchemin
Stoner = Engelland
Depres > Schlemko

Problem is that in this series this isn't how they match up, and the drop from Wideman to Engelland is huge. I personally think all of Stoner, Depres, and Wisniewski are all a fair bit better than what the Flames have after their top three. With Giordano the top 4 break even. Without him it becomes a big time mismatch

[flamesfever]

It's only one game, and all teams suffer the occasional blowout.

If the Flames play like they are capable of playing, I see this series going to 6 or 7 games...with the Ducks having the greatest chance of winning.

Whatever happens, even if the series ends in 4 games, this year has been a wonderful experience.

And I hope in this years draft, we continue to put the emphasis on skill as opposed to size...however, having both would be ideal.

[FlamesAddiction]

The Flames are quite capable of beating teams above them, but the problem is that the Ducks have pretty much the exact same strengths that we do, but do not have the injuries we have. Not to mention that they have oodles of experience.

At the beginning of the playoffs, I was hoping for any team but Anaheim.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

We are overmatched, plain and simple. I love the Flames but let's be honest here, the Ducks are a team built to win a Cup now.

Agreed. I called the Ducks to win the cup after they swept the Jets, and that hasn't changed. Not one point in that series against Winnipeg did they look like they were in trouble, even when playing from behind you could see the determination and knew it was only a matter of time until they scored. And then they just ran all over the much smaller Flames, I expect that will be the common theme of this series

With LA no longer in their way the Ducks are going to bull rush their way to the cup

[GreenLantern]

Combination of they weren't ready and it is just one game. These two days off will help them get back on track and give them a chance to steal game 2.

[CroFlames]

In this day and age, if you aren't "ready" for a playoff game, the GM should sit the problem player(s) and then trade them. If you can't be "ready" for a playoff game, sorry son you don't belong in the show. So I definitely think everyone was ready, there is no question about that. Except maybe Johnny and Sammy who stayed up past their bedtime watching the Disneyland fireworks show ()

Having said that, I picked option C: Ducks played their game of the playoffs. This game was a combination of three things.

1. The Ducks had a perfect game plan for the Flames, and their execution was impeccable. They made maybe 2 or 3 mistakes all game long, and luckily Bennett capitalized on one of the mistakes. That was seriously a perfect playoff game by a team.
2. The Flames execution of simple plays was just bad. Passing, shooting, breaking out, neutral ice play was just so discombobulated. I believe this is a function of the Duck's superb play stifling the Flames from doing the simple things right.
3. It's hard to say exactly X was Hartley's game plan or Y was Hartley game plan because the Duck's didn't allow the Flames to execute their plan. Difficult to say for certain what it was. However, from what I saw it seemed Hartley basically tried the same approach as he did for the Canucks which just won't work against the Ducks. We obviously don't have the horses to run with the Ducks, so we need a smarter game plan and we can win.

Realistically, the Duck's can't play perfect for 4 straight games. Hopefully we get a couple more bounces in Game 2. Hartley will need to come up with a new plan of a tight checking defensive zone coverage plan, with quick transition. Slow the game down by bogging down plays in the neutral zone and collapsing in the our D-zone. Take the crowd out of it, and try to win by a small margin on the counter attack. Don't be afraid to ice the puck to lull the game down, but F/O % needs definite improvement in game 2. Stay away from extra curricular stuff to avoid firing up both the Ducks' physical guys and their crowd.



Some people underestimate the crowd. Albeit there were probably 1,000 empty seats, but they were loud. Not Saddledome loud, but loud nonetheless. Credit where credit is due I'm afraid.



Hopefully we get the split. I'd be ecstatic.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

My takeaway was simple: More Schlemko/Brodie less Engelland/Brodie please! Engelland was on the ice for five goals... He's in a sense being targeted by them like we targetted Bieksa/Sbisa last round. Bob has to adjust and trust Schlemko with top 4 minutes.

I also don't think Anaheim's D corps is better than our healthy D corps - but ours is not healthy - Giordano, Smid, Diaz. That's three solid Dmen we're missing.

Otherwise:

Giordano > Lindholm
Brodie > Fowler
Russell > Vatanen
Wideman = Beauchemin
Stoner = Engelland
Depres > Schlemko

I agree except I'd take Wideman 10 times out of 10 over Beauchemin

[Locke]

Its all about the depth. We're running with 3.5 Dmen whereas they can roll out just about anyone with complete confidence.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

And I hope in this years draft, we continue to put the emphasis on skill as opposed to size...however, having both would be ideal.

You have to have both...period.

It was painfully obvious in game 1 as a matter of fact....skill is great and necessary, but without size and speed....it doesn't matter. Anaheim is a great example of this along with Chicago and Minnesota.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If I was Hartley I'd go completely the other way tactically ... drop the physical push to the game as they can't win that war.

Go back to that quick past transition game that had them on a roll in November. Speed, speed, speed.

Get the Ducks chasing and maybe they get worried and don't pinch as hard as a respect point to the speed.

I think its the only way they can win this series.

Oh and the Flames goaltender has to be better than Andersen

Exactly. Turn it into a track meet and hope you win the goaltending battle (simply have to in order to win)

Originally Posted by transplant99

Totally concur with this....but the only problem in my eyes is that the Ducks can seemingly play it any way you want it and be very successful.

They really are a complete team and its hard to see anyone beat them unless you have a goaltender stand on his head for 4 games in a series.

The Ducks are very impressive....unfortunately.

Yes, but in an end-to-end transitional game, the Flames are in it. The Ducks are good at that game too, but at least there's a chance.

In a battle along the boards, physical contest, it isn't a contest.