1) 3M line shadows Mcdavid's line the entire series. Throw offense out of the window, their only job is to slow him down.
2) Bennett and Ferland play like they did in the 2015 playoffs.
Everything else constant, if those two things happen, I really like our chances.
Lucic-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle Vs. Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
The 3M line is one of the best and most consistent in the league. Ebs and Nuge have struggled. Have to give the edge to the Flames.
The 2nd lines are a wash. Even with the 'struggles', the Oilers trio has 34 even strength goals vs 36 for the Flames bunch. No great disparity on that front.
The 2nd lines are a wash. Even with the 'struggles', the Oilers trio has 34 even strength goals vs 36 for the Flames bunch. No great disparity on that front.
Goals aren't everything. The 3M line is a shut down line too. They've been the best puck possessors in the league with more chances than goals. Ebs does a lot of floating, whereas the whole 3M line outwork their opponents.
Just look at the advance stats. 3M lines takes the edge
Could go either way indeed. Oilers are simply rolling right now and legitimately could end the season on a 9 game winning streak. However all streaks come to an end and teams typically struggle afterwards Case in point the Flames who have gone 5-5 since winning 10 in a row.
Edmonton has the advantage in terms of the top line. McDavid-Draisaitl have out produced Monahan-Gaudreau all year and deserve the edge. Maroon has been better than Ferland as well.
I give the 3M line the edge against the 666M$ line. If Lucic steps up the Oilers can close the gap.
Bottom 6 is pretty close to a wash but I might give the Flames the edge. Brouwer was a beast last year in the playoffs. Versteeg has played a lot of playoff games and Bennett is a bit of a wildcard in the fact he has the skill to be more than he has shown.
Flames have an advantage in the top4 on the back end especially the top pair. If Russell elevates his game like he did in 2015 perhaps the Oilers get the edge on the second pair but as of now I have Brodie > Sekera and Stone = Russell. Give the edge to the Oilers for the third pair and starting goalies. Flames have the better depth in goal
The 2nd lines are a wash. Even with the 'struggles', the Oilers trio has 34 even strength goals vs 36 for the Flames bunch. No great disparity on that front.
uh:
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
716:00 TOI
2.85 GF60
1.76 GA60
57.6 CF%
Lucic-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle
288:24 TOI
1.04 GF60
1.66 GA60
49.1 CF%
Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer
204:07 TOI
2.06 GF60
1.47 GA60
44.9 CF%
There's a wash, but it's not our second line and their second line. it's our miserable former third line and their second line.
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So the Oilers have had less consistent line ups? Would be curious to see the last 10 or 20 games where those lines have been together (more a what have you done lately look). Suspect the teams have a similar record over the last 20 games or so.
As I mentioned the other night, my concern with a BOA, particularly in round 1, is with the fairness of NHL officiating. I see McDavid receiving preferential treatment and have no confidence in the ability of the officials to call a fair series.
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I want this series to happen, although losing would be more painful than any other loss. We need the BOA back to where it was and if the flames win I could ride that elation through the summer easily.
As for how they match up, I agree with most that it's a very even series on paper. If McDavid and friends can strike early it might get the flames on their heels especially with how the season series went. If Calgary can get its feet under them, their depth should win out.
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I remember how cocky Canuck fans were in 04 before that series. I believe they won 7-10 games straight at the end of the year to take the NW division. We all know how that series ended up (however the Nucks were without Bertuzzi due to suspension which was a huge blow and Cloutier went down in game 3)
I remember how cocky Canuck fans were in 04 before that series. I believe they won 7-10 games straight at the end of the year to take the NW division. We all know how that series ended up (however the Nucks were without Bertuzzi due to suspension which was a huge blow and Cloutier went down in game 3)
If there is a BOA this year I hope the Flames completely dismantle the Oilers in 4 games. I don't care about a long, drawn out series to "rekindle the rivalry" or anything like that. I want complete and total scorched earth destruction. I hope someone hits McDingleberry (cleanly) so hard he can't remember his own name for 3 weeks, then the earth opens up and swallows the entire city of Edmonton, wiping that stinking cesspool and their miserable team from off the face of the earth.
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If there is a BOA this year I hope the Flames completely dismantle the Oilers in 4 games. I don't care about a long, drawn out series to "rekindle the rivalry" or anything like that. I want complete and total scorched earth destruction. I hope someone hits McDingleberry (cleanly) so hard he can't remember his own name for 3 weeks, then the earth opens up and swallows the entire city of Edmonton, wiping that stinking cesspool and their miserable team from off the face of the earth.
I want that to happen as well, unfortunately, the refs will probably call penalties on the Flames for giving McDingleberry a mean look.
I for one do not want to play the Oilers first round, not because I don't believe the Flames can destroy the Oilers, I'm not sure if they can beat the Oilers, the refs AND the command center all at the same time.
Personally I would be willing to take the risk of losing the first game by doing everything I could to get the Oilers mind on McDavid.
I would have people throwing elbows and slashes at him, charging him, showing him into the bench.
I would be telling the penalty killers that they're going to have to step up in a big way.
What does it do. It forces the Oilers to try to run around and protect Connor and they might just lose their dicipline.
After game one you can settle things down and throw the occasional hand breaking style slash or give him a good facewash in the corner after wiping your butt with your gloves in the dressing room.
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Maroon-McDavid-Draisaitl Vs. Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Although I can't see this match-up happening (Backlund likely plays against McDavid), I can't see Monahan shutting down McDavid, so the edge goes to Oilers.
Lucic-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle Vs. Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
The 3M line is one of the best and most consistent in the league. Ebs and Nuge have struggled. Have to give the edge to the Flames.
Pouliot-Desharnais-Kassian Vs. Versteeg-Bennett-Chiasson
Pouliot has improved as of late and Desharn brings some energy, but man those guys have struggled all year. This Flames line has been steady, but not overwhelming. I think the two lines wash each other out.
Caggiula-Letestu-Hendricks Vs. Bouma-Stajan-Brouwer
I have no idea - these guys don't play enough to make an honest determination. Letestu has been good, but so has Stajan. Again, the two lines cancel each other out.
Klefbom-Larsson Vs. Giordano-Hamilton
Giordano and Hamilton have been arguably the best pairing in the league. Even though comparing defensive lines against each other is silly (it should be comparing D-pairing to forward group), but out of simplicity, the Flames pair wins hands down.
Sekera-Russell Vs. Brodie-Stone
I like both pairings a lot. Russell blocks gamma rays and Sekera is all-around, but Brodie is the closest of all these guys to being a #1 defenseman. Stone is the worst of all these defenseman, however, he's no bum. So I think its a wash.
Nurse-Gryba Vs. Bartkowski-Engelland
Bartowski is garbage but Engelland is solid. Can't speak much about the Oilers line except that Nurse struggles a lot. I guess I give the edge to the Oilers here.
Talbot vs. Elliot
Talbot hands down. Elliot might go beast mode and Talbot might get fatigued, but on paper it goes to Talbot.
Brossoit vs. Johnson
Former Flames prospect has some promise for sure, but Johnson proves he's a capable back-up to hold things down whereas Brossoit is unproven.
Total Score
Even match-up. No doubt the Flames have better defense, but the Oilers have the better starting goalie. The forwards cancel each other out. The depth elements are a wash. I think this series could go to game 7 overtime.
This is the best and most unbiased break down i have seen props.
