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

[Locke]

So am I correct that Adirondack only have 3 games left and are done on Sunday? Is that when we'll be calling up our Black Aces?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by troutman

The Canucks scored one more goal than the Flames did, and allowed 6 more.

Take shootout goals out of the equation, and the Flames actually scored one more than Vancouver (237-236). Take out empty-net goals, and the difference gets even wider (225-215 for Calgary).


This is kind of weird: Calgary scored 161 5-on-5 goals this season and allowed 155. Vancouver scored 155 5-on-5 goals this season and allowed 161.

[carom]

Originally Posted by getbak

Take shootout goals out of the equation, and the Flames actually scored one more than Vancouver (237-236). Take out empty-net goals, and the difference gets even wider (225-215 for Calgary).


This is kind of weird: Calgary scored 161 5-on-5 goals this season and allowed 155. Vancouver scored 155 5-on-5 goals this season and allowed 161.

[Zach]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think that I did the math of the 251 goals that the Flames scored, the first line and defense combined had well over half of the goals.

So they got some production from lines 2 to 3.

The problem for the Canucks, is not as much the first line as the question of if we press the Flames defense the fast forwards should be able to eat the Canucks slower blueline alive. But if they focus on checking Calgary's first line they give a lot of space to Calgary's defense.

Offensively the Flames are a lot more multi-dimensional then the Canucks.

Honestly I think whoever wins the match up vs Horvats line wins this series. I agree the Canucks D is overall slow, especially Bieksa who is god awful and can't believe he's still playing.

[Hemi-Cuda]

With everything else so close I think this series comes down to goaltending, and Eddie Lack in particular. Hiller's been here before, and we've seen enough that we know what to expect. But Lack is a playoff rookie, and he has the ability to either step up and be huge in net or completely collapse (seems like a Vancouver goaltender requirement). If Lack gets into a zone and outplays Hiller I don't see the Flames taking the series, but if they can get into his head a bit and get him to make some mistakes then there's no reason they can't win. I really hope Colborne and Bollig drive hard to the net at every opportunity, even if they take some penalties in the process

[thymebalm]

Jon Garret saying Eddie Lack is going to be the starter for the Canucks over Miller. The goalie stupidity carries on in Vancouver...

[Zach]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Jon Garret saying Eddie Lack is going to be the starter for the Canucks over Miller. The goalie stupidity carries on in Vancouver...

It's the correct decision.

[Canuck-Hater]

Eddie Lack is the better goaltender IMO.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Jon Garret saying Eddie Lack is going to be the starter for the Canucks over Miller. The goalie stupidity carries on in Vancouver...

Miller got shelled for 5 goals in his first game back from injury, against the Oilers. Lack is most definitely the better option

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Miller also said post game that he's still in injury-recovery mode. You don't want a guy starting in the playoffs who isn't 100% if you can avoid it. Not to mention, Lack got them into the playoffs, they're going to go with the guy who brought them there.

[CGY12]

The Canucks goaltending does not scare me at all. TBH nothing on that team scares me.

The Flames being successful hinges completely on our D. If Engelland can continue to play like he did in the last number of games, Wideman & Russell play to their potential and Brodie moves and skates the puck like he's capable, the Flames will win.

The key to winning this series is our transition and speed game. Move the puck and skate these guys into the ground.

If Gio was playing this series would be a certainty.

[BCF]

Originally Posted by CGY12

The Canucks goaltending does not scare me at all. TBH nothing on that team scares me.

The Flames being successful hinges completely on our D. If Engelland can continue to play like he did in the last number of games, Wideman & Russell play to their potential and Brodie moves and skates the puck like he's capable, the Flames will win.

The key to winning this series is our transition and speed game. Move the puck and skate these guys into the ground.

If Gio was playing this series would be a certainty.

You know what's funny... I could replace Canucks with flames in your statement and just change the last sentence to reflect the puck possession and no turnovers. Negate the transition.

But honestly nothing on this flames team scares me as a fan. Especially a goalie who was so good in the post season he was traded and he still gives up horrendous rebounds which the Canucks have thrived on and they've scored 7 in 2 games on Hiller.

Add to that the points missing from the blue line in giordano and the Canucks experience should be the difference.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by BCF

You know what's funny... I could replace Canucks with flames in your statement and just change the last sentence to reflect the puck possession and no turnovers. Negate the transition.

But honestly nothing on this flames team scares me as a fan. Especially a goalie who was so good in the post season he was traded and he still gives up horrendous rebounds which the Canucks have thrived on and they've scored 7 in 2 games on Hiller.

Add to that the points missing from the blue line in giordano and the Canucks experience should be the difference.

Sounds like a struck a cord. Wasn't trying to take a dig at your team... actually maybe I was.

I'm not to concerned bout the experience factor at all, its not like we are going up against the hawks or the kings, especially given the nucks recent track record in the playoffs.

Hopefully the Flames D can hold the fort, if not Van will win. If they can up their game, we are alright.

Flames in 6

[Vinny01]

I really feel like the Canucks are the 2009 Flames. An aging core with no playoff success since losing in game 7 of the finals. They don't have the injuries like that team had but the Canucks best players are all 30+ and very little in young talent.

I feel like the Flames are similar to the Hawks in 2009. 2 young budding superstar forwards, solid vets, good defense and nothing to lose.

I just feel the Flames speed is going to be too much for Vancouver to handle. Both teams can roll 4 lines and I don't buy the Canucks have really any more scoring depth than the Flames.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by CGY12

The Canucks goaltending does not scare me at all. TBH nothing on that team scares me.

The Flames being successful hinges completely on our D. If Engelland can continue to play like he did in the last number of games, Wideman & Russell play to their potential and Brodie moves and skates the puck like he's capable, the Flames will win.

The key to winning this series is our transition and speed game. Move the puck and skate these guys into the ground.

If Gio was playing this series would be a certainty.

Geez man a little cocky. This is the kind of stuff that ends up in people's signatures when you're wrong

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by saillias

Geez man a little cocky. This is the kind of stuff that ends up in people's signatures when you're wrong

All i said was the Flames success hinged on their defence and that no part of the Canucks scare me, just my opinion.

The gio comment may be a little "cocky" but since he's not playing I guess we don't have to worry about that.

[bzoo02]

There's some talk about forward depth happening here so I thought I'd break down each teams top 4 lines (not actual lines just organized by total points) to see what their point per game average is.



Sorry too lazy to type it out.
But as you can see in the pic the Points per game numbers for the top lines are nearly identical.

It's going to come down to our D who are miles ahead as far as offensive production.

[tvp2003]

Almost 24 hours until puck drop... Looking forward to the first Playoff GDT in six years

In the meantime, some mandatory pre-Round 1 viewing courtesy of AC (my apologies if posted before): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1v...-canucks_sport

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Bzoo - you have Bouma in for the flames, and I think the Canucks have Kenins on their game 1 lineup. Not sure that changes things significantly.

[BCF]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I really feel like the Canucks are the 2009 Flames. An aging core with no playoff success since losing in game 7 of the finals. They don't have the injuries like that team had but the Canucks best players are all 30+ and very little in young talent.

I feel like the Flames are similar to the Hawks in 2009. 2 young budding superstar forwards, solid vets, good defense and nothing to lose.

I just feel the Flames speed is going to be too much for Vancouver to handle. Both teams can roll 4 lines and I don't buy the Canucks have really any more scoring depth than the Flames.

I agree except Kane and Toews had 2 years experience behind them and a way deeper team behind them. The flames do not in anyway have any solid veterans behind them. Stajan is finally getting to the playoffs. But the flames definitely have nothing to lose... Except they are the clear favorited in this series