If there is a Battle vs Chicago... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

sun · 04-03-2017, 01:19 PM

Who will win, and in how many games?

I'm trying to add a poll to this but do not know how.

My guess? Flames in 6.

djsFlames · 04-03-2017, 01:25 PM

Chicago plays a style more suited to the flames than what we witnessed with the Ducks and Kings. Though they arguably have better versions of Gaudreau and Monahan and a lot of experience. Flames played them well this year though. Like with the blues series, it no longer felt like the flames were out of their league.

Elliott back stopped the blues to a series win over them last post-season and plays them well. I could see it going the full distance with his history. Could also see the Hawks get in their heads and use their experience and take it in 5. Could also see the Flames get back to their streak level of play and take it in 6. Basically a lot could happen. But there's a greater chance of good things happening than in a ducks series I would think.

Toonage · 04-03-2017, 01:26 PM

Win or lose I think a series vs. Chicago would be infinitely more entertaining than a series vs. Anaheim. Faster, less frustrating, fewer opponents that you want to see punched in the face, a chance to actually win in their building etc.

Vinny01 · 04-03-2017, 01:29 PM

Rather play the Hawks than the Ducks but only by a slim margin. Flames matchup better against Chicago

Locke · 04-03-2017, 01:32 PM

If its against the Hawks then we either get steamrolled or it goes the distance.

For my money, 7 games and it could go either way. I'd probably have to vote Hawks.

CroFlames · 04-03-2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sun

Who will win, and in how many games?

I'm trying to add a poll to this but do not know how.

My guess? Flames in 6.

Flames in six, show your... team spirit!

Toonage · 04-03-2017, 01:36 PM

Lets look at it from the curse perspective.

Flames haven't won there since 2006 (playoff wise). Longer if you count the regular season.

Lets say the Flames win there tomorrow. Great! Thats once in almost 12 years.

Now they're expected to do that at least 2 more times in a span of 21 days.

I don't like those odds. At all.

A Chicago series, while daunting, still offers hope.

Cali Panthers Fan · 04-03-2017, 01:43 PM

The experience level and ability to come up big in clutch situations cannot be underestimated. The Blackhawks would have a huge advantage over us, never mind the straight up talent matchups.

However, this Hawks team is not nearly as deep as it has been in previous years. They have their traditional big guns in Kane, Panarin, and Toews/Panik/Hossa/Anisimov to a lesser extent. There's enough offense there to win any game in the playoffs. Their depth forwards are pretty bad though, and there are opportunities to expose them, except that those previously mentioned forwards are sprinkled throughout the lineup. But tell me if you recognize any of these names: Nick Schmaltz, Tanner Kero, Ryan Hartman, John Hayden, Dennis Rasmussen, Tomas Jurco. Even if they have some ok numbers, those are not players that make me worried at all come playoff time.

It's the defense that does the heavy lifting for the 'hawks. Keith is still one of the best defensemen in the game, and Seabrook is still a very good #2 even if they don't play together anymore. Hjalmarsson, Oduya, and Campbell are all very solid players with tonnes of experience, and Trevor Van Riemsdyk has shown that he's a quality NHLer. Throw in Corey Crawford and you have a team that can defend with the best of them, and defense wins in playoffs.

It's not a matchup I am afraid of, but I still respect the hell out of that team, and it would take everything going right for the Flames to beat them in a 7 game series........and since I'm an optimist, I'll say the Flames in 7.

bax · 04-03-2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toonage

Lets look at it from the curse perspective.

Flames haven't won there since 2006 (playoff wise). Longer if you count the regular season.

Lets say the Flames win there tomorrow. Great! Thats once in almost 12 years.

Now they're expected to do that at least 2 more times in a span of 21 days.

I don't like those odds. At all.

A Chicago series, while daunting, still offers hope.

That's just superstition. I think we could be either team over 7 games (would be a battle though)

AC · 04-03-2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toonage

Lets look at it from the curse perspective.

Flames haven't won there since 2006 (playoff wise). Longer if you count the regular season.

Lets say the Flames win there tomorrow. Great! Thats once in almost 12 years.

Now they're expected to do that at least 2 more times in a span of 21 days.

I don't like those odds. At all.

A Chicago series, while daunting, still offers hope.

Why would the Flames have to win twice more in Anaheim during the playoffs?

In theory, you win 3 at home and you steal 1 away game.

Toonage · 04-03-2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bax

That's just superstition. I think we could be either team over 7 games (would be a battle though)

No, its fact. The Flames haven't won there in any shape or form since 2006. Thats not to say they can't or won't but to expect them to pull off a string of victories there now is a tall order.

dino7c · 04-03-2017, 02:00 PM

What the Flames did in Anaheim in say 2007 has nothing to do with this season

Anaheim would be tough because they are a good team...I don't buy the curse stuff

The Yen Man · 04-03-2017, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dino7c

What the Flames did in Anaheim in say 2007 has nothing to do with this season

Anaheim would be tough because they are a good team...I don't buy the curse stuff

It's not a curse, but it still might play with their heads. Might give Anaheim players the added confidence boost, while doing the opposite to Calgary players. I wouldn't underestimate how it weighs on the players mentally, especially if the Flames are down early, or they let a lead slip away.

calgaryred · 04-03-2017, 02:29 PM

If the Flames play real playoff hockey I say anything can happen either way in game 7. If they play like they have since they played the Blues. I'd say Hawks in 5 or 6. I do believe they would win at least one game.

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direwolf · 04-03-2017, 02:33 PM

This is probably wishful thinking, but I'll say Flames in 7.

Manhattanboy · 04-03-2017, 02:34 PM

Much rather play CHI than ANA or EDM in the first round.

Brewmaster · 04-03-2017, 02:53 PM

I think the Blackhawks might be a favorable match-up over the Ducks for the first round. While the Blackhawks have been strong this season, I don't believe they are the playoff powerhouse that they used to be given all the turnover in their lineup. I also think the Flames play better against fast offensive teams than big physical teams like Anaheim.

I also like the fact that Elliot and Brouwer were two of the biggest contributors to Chicago's first round loss last season. The Flames certainly wouldn't be favorites heading into the series, but an underdog mentality and some great goaltending by Elliot could be enough to pull off the upset.

Inferno · 04-03-2017, 02:58 PM

I definitely respect Chicago but I'd be more confident going into a series with them than I would Anaheim. And if the Flames happened to lose I'd be less bitter. lol

djsFlames · 04-03-2017, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Much rather play CHI than ANA or EDM in the first round.

I was surprised to not see FlamesFan101 attached to that post.

Redliner · 04-03-2017, 03:04 PM

The Hawks would be a tough series but if the Flames bring their A game every night I think it's winnable. Don't know what it is about those stupid ducks but that team just has our number. Plus with how dirty they play, even if we managed to win the series we'd be so beat up it would hurt us in the next round.