Preferred Playoff Opponent - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mass_nerder · 03-20-2019, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kukkudo

We better make it out the first round, otherwise the media and public are going to come down hard on the Flames.

I don't want to be so arrogant as to assume a first round victory.
The Flames can't look past any opponent, whether it's Vegas or Arizona.
We should based on our regular season, but a lot of our team is fairly green when it comes to playoff hockey.

kukkudo · 03-20-2019, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I don't want to be so arrogant as to assume a first round victory.
The Flames can't look past any opponent, whether it's Vegas or Arizona.
We should based on our regular season, but a lot of our team is fairly green when it comes to playoff hockey.

Yup I agree.

The Cobra · 03-20-2019, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I don't want to be so arrogant as to assume a first round victory.
The Flames can't look past any opponent, whether it's Vegas or Arizona.
We should based on our regular season, but a lot of our team is fairly green when it comes to playoff hockey.

By the time you get to the playoffs, the difference between 2 teams separated by even as much as 8 points is petty marginal.

Ever teams which are quite a bit better than their opponents seldom have better than a 60% chance of beating them. having a 60% chance of winning each round gives you only a 13% chance of winning the Cup.

The randomness that is involved in each game, each series, is huge.

There is a reason why the President's Trophy winning doesn't often win, and it often doesn't have anything to do with who's the actual best team.

Many people are quoted as saying that the playoffs determine the best team.

I think there is abetter argument that the regular season actually determines the best team, as it's a larger sample size.

Robbob · 03-20-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Colorado suddenly our 2nd most likely opponent, behind Arizona.

Chicago and Colorado have a home and home series this weekend. That should makes things very interesting.

dino7c · 03-20-2019, 10:45 AM

Not "scared" of Vegas but Colorado/Arizona would be preferable. Especially since that means home ice through the west.

Stauner · 03-20-2019, 10:50 AM

At the end of the day we can go toe to toe with any team in the league.

I would just prefer to avoid teams that have gave us more problems such as Vegas, Dallas and Minny.

Arizona for me

CGY12 · 03-20-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

If you listen back to some of the 04 guys, the team's undoing was injuries from playing in 3 grueling series ahead of the SCF. Blowing the 2-0 lead against SJ was a huge regret according to Warrener, as it gassed them and cost them injury-wise against TB.

Despite being confident in any matchup, you take a simpler first round opponent EVERY time, as that's what a number one seed affords you.

The Flames have not had enough playoff success to warrant the outright cockiness in this thread. Winning against any opponent should not be taken for granted.

Very well said and spot on.

Jiggy_12 · 03-20-2019, 10:52 AM

There's very little about Colorado that scare me. I think I would have picked them if they were part of this poll. I just can't see them winning 4 out of 7 games against us.

Toonage · 03-20-2019, 10:54 AM

^ Especially with Landeskog expected to miss the first round (if they make it)

dino7c · 03-20-2019, 11:00 AM

The 04 team had no depth...they didn't even have an AHL team that season. This team is better equipped to handle a long run.

CGY12 · 03-20-2019, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dino7c

The 04 team had no depth...they didn't even have an AHL team that season. This team is better equipped to handle a long run.

Granted they weren't big names but the Flames were very much depleted during that 04 run. The depth and play of guys like Montador and Commodore was big for the team. Up front Lombo went out in round 2, McCammond and Reinprecht didn't play in the playoffs, it was a large reason why Sutter went after guys like Nillson and Nieminen at the deadline.

Point remains, the Flames aren't known as a playoff juggernaut, still lots to prove. And I'd rather have them gain the experience they lack in round 1 against anybody not named Vegas, which hopefully helps them be more prepared for a heavyweight battle in round 2 (if they win round 1).

azzarish · 03-20-2019, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I listened to the FAN960 today, I'll agree with the team and Loubo on this one. The opponent is less important than resting up and healing all the injuries before the playoffs. If the Flames were to go all out and further risk injuries to get 1st place, the team will just cave in the first round.

At a minimum, the idea should be to retain 2nd place and rest everyone. Obviously Monahan has been injured for awhile, Bennett as well and who knows what other secret injuries are in play. Lets get all these AHL players some time and see who can potentially help the Flames in round 1. I remember that Ferland and Bennett were big a surprises a few years ago, lets see who can be the surprise performers this year.

I'm not sure I agree with that. We've essentially been at the top of our division all season long, either leading or close to it. For us to rest players at this point and risk losing the divisional title would undermine a season's worth of effort from the players. I wouldn't be devastated with 2nd place but this is the entire reason we've put in the hard graft all season; to have a shot at home ice in the playoffs and an easier first round match up. In my mind, that gives us the best chance of progressing. Players can get injured at any time.

Also, we have a window here with these players where we should try and win 'something'. It's important to regain an identity and culture of winning again. It would be our first divisional title since 2006 and winning something, whether it's the division, conference championship or cup itself will only breed more confidence with this set of of players.

troutman · 03-20-2019, 11:34 AM

Flames 85% likely now to finish 1st in Pacific.

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html

I like our chances better having home ice throughout the first three rounds, and getting AZ in the first round.

ricardodw · 03-20-2019, 11:37 AM

The Hawks are 4 pts out of the final playoff spot with a game in hand on Arizona.

Kane is having a better year than Gaudreau. Toews is having a career year scoring wise. Crawford is back playing well.

The Hawks just went 4-0 against Dallas , Arizona, Toronto, Montreal with only Arizona at home.

The Cobra · 03-20-2019, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Hawks are 4 pts out of the final playoff spot with a game in hand on Arizona.

Kane is having a better year than Gaudreau. Toews is having a career year scoring wise. Crawford is back playing well.

The Hawks just went 4-0 against Dallas , Arizona, Toronto, Montreal with only Arizona at home.

Their d-men are horrible, but I don't like the pedigree of their stars rising to the occasion.

FanIn80 · 03-20-2019, 11:43 AM

I voted for Vegas, because if you can't beat the best then you don't deserve to be the best.

FlamesAddiction · 03-20-2019, 11:45 AM

St. Louis scares me. They really picked it up in the second half and are a really good road team. It could negate home ice advantage playing them.

PeteMoss · 03-20-2019, 11:48 AM

FWIW - the Athletic projection model has most likely playoffs opponents as:
Coyotes 29%
Vegas 20%
Colorado 14%

Textcritic · 03-20-2019, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Hawks are 4 pts out of the final playoff spot with a game in hand on Arizona.

Kane is having a better year than Gaudreau. Toews is having a career year scoring wise. Crawford is back playing well.

The Hawks just went 4-0 against Dallas , Arizona, Toronto, Montreal with only Arizona at home.

Arizona holds the first tie-breaker, which means the Hawks would need a five point gain in ten games. That is just too much ground to make up in such a short stretch of games.

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nfotiu · 03-20-2019, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Arizona holds the first tie-breaker, which means the Hawks would need a five point gain in ten games. That is just too much ground to make up in such a short stretch of games.

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If Chicago wins their game in hand, and beats Arizona in regulation, they are tied, and the first and second tie-breakers are tied.

That is pretty realistic. Chicago, Colorado and Minnesota are all very much alive, and all have games vs each other and all have a game against Arizona left