Assuming the Flames make the playoffs, who is your preferred 1st round match up?

[Toonage]

Minnesota. Don't want the Oilers in R1.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Edmonton. I've never personally witnessed a Battle of Alberta playoff series. I want that to change.

And also to show that we're better.

Oh sweet summer child..

Spoiler!

[gunnner]

Round one oilers, round two hawks, round 3 jets. Ill go back to the "cafe" in the red light district now.

[Kipper_3434]

Edmonton. Was still a month or so away from being born last time these two teams met in the playoffs. Go Flames go.

[CalgaryFan1988]

After getting swept by the oilers, I can't think of another team Calgary would play their hardest against.

That said, I don't think the Flames match up the best against the oilers, but it would be pretty sweet knocking them out of the first round and knocking their fans down a few pegs.

Worth the gamble IMO.

[spetch]

The Ducks as I have a deal with the wife that we get to head down to 2 games + take the kids to Disneyland

[Azhouse]

Oilers, all day every day. It would be the Flames against Mc. Just like the 80's when Whettsky was around. Even if we get home ice Mcdingle will still be favored.

This underdog story has yet to be written.

[Bourque's Twin]

Order of preference (only likely matchups)

1. Oilers - thin depth, worn out goalie, weak D
2. Ducks - I think the Flames are tough enough to throw them around now
3. Sharks - Very good depth but ageing
4. Wild - Solid all around team that the Flames have played well
5. Hawks - Yikes

[Tron_fdc]

Some of you youngsters need to experience a Battle of Alberta. I can still remember the intensity, the heartbreak, and the joy from all those series even though I was barely a teenager at the time.

Not to mention watching the fights in the stands, the fights on the ice, the fights in the streets, and the pure HATRED for everything Edmonton.

Some of the best series in the history of the game were played up and down Hiway 2. The game needs another one.

[kyuss275]

Oilers. Bring back the Battle of Alberta. That said, i don't really care , just as long as they make the playoffs.

[Vinny01]

Oilers or Sharks

I think the Flames can get past any team the way they are playing now

[The Professor]

Oilers!!! Would be amazing. Plus, basically shut down one player and we win.

In other news, I thought the format was the first two rounds were within our division. No?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by codynw

Flames have a good record against the Sharks, and Pittsburgh showed last year that you can completely neutralize that team with speed. And Calgary has plenty of speed.

Yeah, no. First, the finals are different than the first round, second, the Sharks are actually better this year than last, and third, their opponents had Crosby, Malkin and Kessel. I know everyone's all pumped up by the recent hot streak but the Flames are not the Penguins.

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

You'd rather play Chicago?

Honestly, maybe. I'm not sure which would be worse. San Jose's depth at literally every position is better. No one should want to play that team.

Calgary might actually match up decently against Chicago, the main difference would be goaltending. As is likely to be the case in any series that could realistically happen.

It seems pretty clear to me that the most winnable matchup is the Oilers, because it's all about containing one guy.

[Strange Brew]

Would love to see a B of A and get that rivalry hot again! But Anaheim might give me best chance to see a game in person.

[squirtle]

I'm personally more afraid of the Sharks and Ducks then Edmonton.

[Racki]

Oilers. Hands down. The stress would be unmanageable but it would be glorious to beat them and rub it in Oilers fans faces for a whole year.

[Robbob]

I think a big part of the playoffs is team depth. For that reason alone I would probably want the Oilers. That being said, I don't think it would be possible to get a greater range of emotions that the series would potentially bring on. The highs would be epic, but the lows would be borderline depression for both fan bases. It is both exciting and terrifying. You got to love sports.

[troutman]

EDM is over-achieving, and ripe for being whipped in playoff hockey.

[Erick Estrada]

You take a look at the contrast between the penalty shot call for McDavid against the Flames early in the season and the one that didn't get called for Johnny against the Wings and I'm not sure I want to face the Oilers in a year where the officials will probably play a big role in the outcome of the series.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You take a look at the contrast between the penalty shot call for McDavid against the Flames early in the season and the one that didn't get called for Johnny against the Wings and I'm not sure I want to face the Oilers in a year where the officials will probably play a big role in the outcome of the series.

The standard for officiating changes dramatically from the start of the season to playoffs. From my observations the refs in the recent stretch of Flames games have been letting the players decide the games. Sure it wasn't called a PS, but at least they called a penalty.

I haven't really watched any oilers games recently, but looking at a couple game summaries that looks it is the case there as well.