Do you prefer Anaheim or Chicago in Round 1?

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I heard somewhere that the Ducks planned the season to start out slow and peak for the playoffs so they wouldn't have their usual collapse. It looks like they are accomplishing that. I'm not really sure who I want to play but if we win we'll probably have fewer beat up players after a series against Chicago.

Last season , the Ducks were a bottom 5 team in the Western Conference the first 50 games.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Anyone picking Chicago just haven't seen them play recently because the Flames haven't played them in ages. They are the better team and have a much better coach.

I've seen them play lately and agree they are the better team. I don't like the Flames' chances either way but like them better against Chicago. They've atleast been able to win at the United Center in the last 11 years.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

While I like the outcome in you scenario, not sure dropping the first two games in Anaheim would be ideal, and I'm not sure Chicago is the ideal option for the conference final ��

Also, the Oilers winning a playoff round is never ideal.

[jschick88]

NHL Public Relations‏ @PR_NHL The @AnaheimDucks, @StLouisBlues, @NHLFlames and @PredsNHL have the potential to lock up playoff seeds today. #StanleyCup

[Slanter]

I like the matchup with the Ducks, because if the Flames go into the Honda Center and win Game 1, it completely changes everything. Even winning Game 2 makes things interesting.

Of course, if they lose the first 2 like everyone expects, then it's the same old story. But I like that opportunity to instantly flip the narrative.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by jschick88

NHL Public Relations‏ @PR_NHL The @AnaheimDucks, @StLouisBlues, @NHLFlames and @PredsNHL have the potential to lock up playoff seeds today. #StanleyCup

So I'm new to this new wildcard format. If we win tonight and clich first wildcard, we play who?

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

So I'm new to this new wildcard format. If we win tonight and clich first wildcard, we play who?

Anaheim or Mulletville

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Anaheim or Mulletville

Ha I knew that but how is it decided who plays who?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Ha I knew that but how is it decided who plays who?

Out of the top teams in each division, the one with the highest points plays the lowest wildcard.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Just looking at highlights of the beating Ana laid on Chicago, I'm even more convinced we need to drop tomorrow's game vs SJS. I'd rather a tougher round 2 matchup in the Central than deal with Anaheim to start.

Chicago didn't dress their top players, they likely knew it would be a goon fest as it always seems to be with the ducks. I wouldn't use this one game as a measuring stick.

The flames are in tough no matter who they face in the 1st round unless it happens to be the Oilers (highly unlikely) because historically they haven't had the success against these power house teams. That being said I think the series against the ducks in 2015 will look nothing like this years series if we play them and I hope we do. The Hawks are just too good, better than the Ducks and most teams in the league. The flames don't really match up well against the ducks if we play their style as everyone has said but we will have to play their game to beat them on some level. The coaches need to focus on the games the ducks lost this year and why, for example our game in December when we kicked their asses and the 4 losses they had at home this past season, focus on what those teams did.

I hope MT, MF, and our 4th line can maintain focus but walk that fine line and agitate just as well as the ducks can. There is no way we can stick to just our style of play and win, we have to be able to adapt and play our style and theirs to beat them. Sometimes we won't have a choice because the ducks are that good, beat them at their own game (at particular moments) and we have a chance.

Ducks in the first round over the Hawks for sure.

[Husky]

Flames have a much stronger bottom 6 upfront then hawks. If the flames can someone limit the kane/panarin duo especially....then they have a good shot.

7 10+ goal scorers for hawks but 12 for flames. It will come down to limiting their top 6 and PP

[the-rasta-masta]

I'm actually pulling for the Ducks. I'm down in Palm Springs on Wednesday and would be great to make the drive into LA to watch Game 1 if they play there. What better way to kill the curse than to see them do it live?

[PeteMoss]

To me Chicago is just a better verison of the Flames. They are relatively similar built teams but Chicago is better, so the only way you win is if Elliott stands on his head.

[Travis Munroe]

Do I understand this correctly.

Flames win tonight or Nashville loses in regulation (start at 5pm so flames know by puck drop) = guarantee to either play the ducks or oilers.

Ducks have 101 pts 1 gr
Oilers have 99 - 2 gr

If the ducks lose their final game and Edmonton wins 1 of the 2 game they will be tied for 101 pts. Who has the tiebreak to be #1? Based on the percentages I assume the ducks still have the tie break and Edmonton would need 3 of 4 points with the ducks losing their last game.

[Vinny01]

I believe the Ducks own the 2nd tie break on the Oil if both teams are tied in ROW

[tsquared1967]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I believe the Ducks own the 2nd tie break on the Oil if both teams are tied in ROW

Nov. 15 Ducks 4 Oilers 1 Honda Centre
Dec. 3. Oilers 3 Ducks 2 OT Rogers Centre
Jan. 25 Oilers 4 Ducks 0 Honda Centre
Mar. 22 Ducks 4 Oilers 3 Honda Centre
Apr. 1 Oilers 3 Ducks 2 OT Rogers Centre

[Jiggy_12]

So the Oilers are 3-2 and the Ducks are 2-1-2 head to head, both with 6 points.

Who wins that tiebreaker?? Would a 3rd one be needed?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

Nov. 15 Ducks 4 Oilers 1 Honda Centre
Dec. 3. Oilers 3 Ducks 2 OT Rogers Centre
Jan. 25 Oilers 4 Ducks 0 Honda Centre
Mar. 22 Ducks 4 Oilers 3 Honda Centre
Apr. 1 Oilers 3 Ducks 2 OT Rogers Centre

Yah the first game wouldn't be included so the Oilers have the tie breaker. So if the ducks lose and the Oilers win both they need to win at least 1 in regulation or OT to tie in ROW.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Do I understand this correctly.

Flames win tonight or Nashville loses in regulation (start at 5pm so flames know by puck drop) = guarantee to either play the ducks or oilers.

Ducks have 101 pts 1 gr
Oilers have 99 - 2 gr

If the ducks lose their final game and Edmonton wins 1 of the 2 game they will be tied for 101 pts. Who has the tiebreak to be #1? Based on the percentages I assume the ducks still have the tie break and Edmonton would need 3 of 4 points with the ducks losing their last game.

Ducks are at 103, so the oilers need to win both games and the Ducks lose theirs. Then both would be at 103. Then tiebreakers will have to get involved. If the Oilers win both of their games in regulation or overtime then they would have more ROW. If one of their wins comes in a shoot out, then I don't know what happens next.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

So the Oilers are 3-2 and the Ducks are 2-1-2 head to head, both with 6 points.

Who wins that tiebreaker?? Would a 3rd one be needed?

First home game of the team that hosted 3 isn't included.