Western Conf Playoffs - Round 1: Flames vs. Hughson's Canucks (Flames lead 3-2)

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Red John

Also, a huge advantage to start this series on the road. Much easier to get the split than needing to win two right off the bat.

Flames in six.

The Flames could start the series at home, that will be determined on Saturday.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Can we sign Gelinas to some 1 day contracts for any game 7's?

I think we can count on 23 in key moments again.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Itse

I think we can count on 23 in key moments again.

Tied for third overall in Game Winning Goals this season. Yeah, I think he has this covered.

[Neeper]

Love this matchup too. Flames in 5

[dammage79]

Went to work tonight after the game, a lo and behold the Canuck fan co-workers were already chirpping relentlessly. "Sven going to steal he series. Horvats better than Monahan, Hamhuis is going to hip check Gaudreau onto the IR list etc etc."

I WAS going to be a good sport but after tonight, I can already tell it's going to be 2008-09 all over again here in Victoria.

For the sake of spiting their fans, please destroy the Canucks Monahan and company.

[Monahan23]

I think it'll go to 7 games

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Back2Back

Sedins will be too much for you guys, imo.

Canucks in 6.

The Flames have scored 236 goals which is more than any other WC team except for the Dallas Stars.

In four games against the Canucks this season, both Daniel and Henrik Sedin have three points, but have been shut out by the Flames in their last two meetings. The Sedins haven't scored against Calgary since before Christmas.

There should be no problem shutting them down again and again throughout this series.

[getbak]

This year's season series between the teams was ridiculously close. Excluding an empty net goal in the first game of the season, every game was decided by one goal.

Each team won 2 games. Each team lost 2 games. Each team won one at home and one on the road.

This could very easily be the fourth straight playoff series between the Flames and Canucks that goes to OT in Game 7.

[Freddy]

I think when anyone looks to predict this series they have to take into account Johnny Gaudreau's (the team Gaudreau plays for) record in high stakes games. I'm not a stats nerd, but I'm pretty sure his teams have a dominant record. So for that reason alone, and he's currently centered by the most clutch goal scoring centre the Flames have had (since Cup year?) I think the Flames win this series.

That, and I think the Canucks will try to get Miller going as #1 again which will be a mistake because Lack is better and will cost them at least one game of the series.

Go Flames!

[Caged Great]

Calgary does better against slower teams. Vancouver is not a fast team. They aren't slow, but the Flames can utilize their speed to expose them.

Flames in 5.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Can we sign Gelinas to some 1 day contracts for any game 7's?

Originally Posted by Itse

I think we can count on 23 in key moments again.

Have Otto there too.

[tvp2003]

Sven coming to the realization that playing Calgary in the first round actually means having to play against Calgary in the first round.

Son, if you didn't like playing in Calgary's relentless checking, fast skating, no quit system, just wait until you have to play against it...

[burn_this_city]

My car flag is so old it started to disintegrate on the drive in this morning.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Don't know how Sportsnet will work the playoffs but I hope Ball and Hrudy get to stick with this team.

Probably get Jim Hughson

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Calgary does better against slower teams. Vancouver is not a fast team. They aren't slow, but the Flames can utilize their speed to expose them.

Flames in 5.

Interestingly, not even sure how one characterizes the Canucks. They are not particularly fast, big or physical. They are not a great possession team. Goaltending not outstanding. Do they have an 'identity'?
Ordinary?

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Probably get Jim Hughson

Paul Romanuk.

[BCF]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Interestingly, not even sure how one characterizes the Canucks. They are not particularly fast, big or physical. They are not a great possession team. Goaltending not outstanding. Do they have an 'identity'?
Ordinary?

Actually the Canucks are an incredibly strong puck possession team. And they do get strong goaltending. But they do start games off slow which the flames will take advantage of. As much as people think the Sedins will be easy to shut down the Canucks will keep up with the flames and will be a bit physical.

It's going to be depth that decides this series.

[Itse]

Dirty whining divers? (Actually they haven't been that bad this season as far as I can remember.)

More seriously though, I guess I'd call them a skilled offense-minded, system-oriented team. Strong special teams, good passing, likes to cycle. I'm not sure if some of that is outdated.

[cDnStealth]

I like our chances against the Canucks. This isn't the Vancouver of a few years ago. I say Flames in 5. I am so excited for Flames playoffs!

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by BCF

Actually the Canucks are an incredibly strong puck possession team. And they do get strong goaltending. But they do start games off slow which the flames will take advantage of. As much as people think the Sedins will be easy to shut down the Canucks will keep up with the flames and will be a bit physical.

It's going to be depth that decides this series.

Canucks 20th in the league in 'possession' stats(CF%) - if I read it right , 16th in team save %

Edit: or by possession do you mean cycling the puck? This is no longer a straightforward definition