Western Conference Playoffs - Round 2: Flames vs Ducks (Ducks win 4-1)

[Regular_John]

Just making the playoffs was gravy. Eliminating the Canucks is like discovering bits of smokey bacon in the gravy.

But I honestly don't see us making it past the ducks... but I also didn't see us ending the Kings season, so bring it on!

[Dime_On_Flames]

Originally Posted by troutman

Aside from being sexist, it is just really lame and unfunny.

Playground humor. Beavis and Butthead level.

That's your opinion. Thought it was clever, innocent and executed perfectly by the MTS Centre

[Finger Cookin]

The Flames matched up well against the Pacific all season, and that includes games against Anaheim. We went 2-3 against them while Anaheim went 3-1-1. They twice beat us 6-3, but we also have a 6-3 win over them. The other two games were decided by 1 goal.

In the regular season, the teams have very similar 5-on-5 goal ratios, and similar special teams efficiency (with the Flames holding a slight power play edge). The Ducks are a better faceoff team, and a better SAT and USAT team - though they weren't dominant in that regard, just being middle of the pack. The Ducks have much better looking stats in the playoffs are sweeping the Jets.

Slice it any way you like, the Flames will have to win at least once in Anaheim. As many have already pointed out.

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by Dime_On_Flames

That's your opinion. Thought it was clever, innocent and executed perfectly by the MTS Centre

Not offering an opinion either way, but rather than de-rail this thread with the same discussion, there is a lengthy and on-going thread on this exact topic in the Off Topics forum.

[Dime_On_Flames]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Not offering an opinion either way, but rather than de-rail this thread with the same discussion, there is a lengthy and on-going thread on this exact topic in the Off Topics forum.

I've said what I needed to say. Movin' on!

With the first line officially busted out of it's slumber, sky's the limit now.

[photon]

I really don't see how we're going to get past the Ducks, the Canucks were all we could handle at times and the Ducks are way better. I don't think we're going to be able to push them around and keep them to the outside as much, so either we're going to have to stop with the juicy rebounds or a lot more of those are going to be going in. I can see us being hemmed in our own zone even more, and playing with basically 5 D one wonders how long that can continue.

But the coach says he always has a plan, and they're not going to go down without trying. Brodie kept getting better so maybe he throws the team on his back, the first line outplays their first line, and our goalie steals a game or two.

My mind says Ducks in 5 but the x-factor says I'll just sit back and enjoy it.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Lets make this a 7 game series. Jimmies will be unrustled if we lose. But it would be nice if we did win.

[getbak]

In a 30 team league, only 8 teams will play hockey in the month of May... and the Calgary Flames are one of them.

I have to keep repeating that to myself because it hasn't sunk in yet.

[troutman]

I don't expect many Duck fans in the Dome. We will see lots of Flames fans in Anaheim.

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The difference between Anaheim and Calgary in the regular season was six wins.

We lost some strange games to Buffalo, Florida, Toronto, Carolina, and a preseason game to the Jets that somehow counted.

So really, these guys are only two points better than us.

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

"Well, if you take out the games we lost, these guys aren't any better than us!"

Interesting logic.

How about this logic...

The difference between the Flames and Ducks regular season record is basically the 8 game losing steak we had mid season. When you look at the Flames performance for the past season and a half, that 8 game stretch sticks out as an anomaly.

I think the regular season record exaggerates the difference between these two teams. IMO the Ducks are better, but not by that much. I would be more surprised if the Ducks won in 4 or 5 than if the Flames won in 6 or 7.

But, to be completely honest, I'm just happy to watch Flames games in May.

[pylon]

The forecheck is the key.

After sitting through three live games, you could absolutely see the difference. When they were forechecking they dominated the ice, when they laid off, they got dominated. The only issue I see, is how effective can that forecheck be against the Ducks? They are a big nasty team, and a guy like Beauchimen is not gonna allow Ferland to go full bore wrecking ball.

I still have faith though. This team has captured lightning in a bottle. Some franchises are lucky to see this once in it's existence. This is the second time we have seen this type of team in a decade.

[schteve_d]

Getzlaf and Perry are going to be a lot more of test of what this team is made of. It'd be silly to give up on them or say it's not possible. This team has been doing the impossible all year.

I really, really look forward to this series.

Have to admit that Getzlaf is one of my favourite non-Flames players in the league but I'll put that aside and hate him for the next little while.

This is going to be FUN!

[AC]

I say we instead start a "MATTHEW PERRY" chant.

That'll show everyone.

[Sylvanfan]

I would peg this Flames team as less of an underdog in this series than the 04 group was against Detroit. 12 points different in the standings and a better goal differential.

I don't like the match up by any means, but what the hell...why not? Bruce Boudreau 's kryptonite is the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs.

[Huntingwhale]

Shades of the Detroit series in 2004. Back then we were the extreme underdog and I would have expected us to win 1 game. I said it back then and I'll say it again: if the Flames beat Detroit (Anaheim), we're going to the finals!

[Dime_On_Flames]

Originally Posted by AC

I say we instead start a "MATTHEW PERRY" chant.

That'll show everyone.

lol that would be pretty funny. no rhyme or reason...just cause haha

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by Plett25

How about this logic...

The difference between the Flames and Ducks regular season record is basically the 8 game losing steak we had mid season. When you look at the Flames performance for the past season and a half, that 8 game stretch sticks out as an anomaly.

I think the regular season record exaggerates the difference between these two teams. IMO the Ducks are better, but not by that much. I would be more surprised if the Ducks won in 4 or 5 than if the Flames won in 6 or 7.

But, to be completely honest, I'm just happy to watch Flames games in May.

Oh yeah, there's plenty of good reasons to argue how the Flames match up with the Ducks, and I personally think talent levels of playoff teams are so close these days it's hard to pick any one team as a definitive favorite. Even in 2004 we were such a ridiculously improbable win in every series (even the Vancouver win). The salary cap worked!

Just the 'take out our losses to bad teams!' logic was not one that made any sense, haha. The goal differential one and ROW numbers are a really good look at how close these two teams really are -- Anaheim covered a big chunk of that 12 point spread with shootout wins, something they won't get in the playoffs. They are a tougher opponent than Vancouver, but Calgary definitely has a shot!

[flamesfan1297]

Not gonna lie, the Ducks have always been my second favorite team. And Getzlaf has been my favor non-Flames player. But I temporarily hate that team! Go Flames!! Prove everyone wrong!

[Azure]

Someone sneak into the Saddledome and take down the Getzlaf banner.

[SebC]

By goal differential, the Ducks are the worst team in the league to make the playoffs.