[News] WCQF: Your Calgary Flames (P1) vs Colorado Avalanche (WC2) — AVALANCHE WIN SERIES 4-1

[Murph]

Consistent late starts are maddening. East Coasters wanting to be in bed before 2am probably won’t get to watch a full game until the 3rd round.

[bigrangy]

I don’t have a whole lot of faith in winning the goaltending or special teams battles, which gives me some hesitance predicting a Flames win.

But they have proven me wrong many, many times before this season, and they’ve risen to every occasion when they’ve needed to. They are the class of the West and although most of then haven’t been in this position before, I think the natural talent gap should overcome the nerves and the jitters as long as the goalie battle ends up somewhere near equal.

Hopefully they can run the avs out of the rink in Game 1 and then ride the confidence through the next couple.

[edslunch]

Flames should win in 5 but will take 6 accounting for having weaker/less hot goaltending

[Funkhouser]

8pm starts for 2 MST teams is BS.

[Azhouse]

Goaltending (never-ending faith in Smith) worries me.

[Ducay]

I'd say this series comes down to which goalies show up. A stinker by Smith in game 1 and it opens the door mentally so much to Avs.

[Hockey_Ninja]

I really hope Dave starts game 1

[Scary Eloranta]

I think smith def starts game 1. I see the series going 7, flames win in double OT


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[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

8pm starts for 2 MST teams is BS.

Thats what it always is on Saturdays.

They always try to get double headers in during the first couple rounds if possible.

Not sure i understand the outrage here.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by direwolf

I'm less worried about McKinnon and company than I would be about Benn and Seguin. At least the Flames have shown this year that they can play the McKinnon line well and beat them.

The key to winning this series will be the Flames' ability to attack in waves and roll 4 lines. As long as Calgary brings their A game, I don't think Colorado will be able to contain them.

It's not even Benn and Seguin, it's their goaltending that has the team beat. We were massively outscored by them this year. The last game, the top two guys didn't even score and we got beat. Flames need to stop making pretty plays and funnel everything to the net and crash it. Guys like Benett are gonna be huge come playoffs.

[flamingred89]

Flames in 5.

Series MVP: Tkachuk 2-5-7
Unsung Hero: Janko 2-2-4

[sa226]

Its funny, thinking back over the course of the regular season. There's so many ups and downs. There's the dog days of January, there's the ridiculous travel month of February, and there's the "finding yourself" of October November. Really, that stuff shouldn't apply anymore. Desperation level should be at 100%. Compete level should be at 100%.

When I think back to some of the biggest games of the year (Boston, Tampa at home, San Jose) win or lose the Flames fought against their own demons in poor goaltending. There were games when they could outscore their poor goaltending, there were games where the goalies were excellent, but they couldn't score. I'd like to think that this time of year everything for the most part is coming together.

I think we are back to discussing how good of a goalie Mike Smith is. Not if he should even be playing right now. My best guess is he is a mid to average starter who can go hot and cold. I think his compete and experience will hopefully guard against Elliott syndrome, but I also think he still may be second best goalie in this series.

If the Flames get the powerplay going, are dug in and get adequate goaltending, I see this going 5 games max, with Colorado winning Game 3. But if the powerplay is still sputtering, the top players are still inconsistent and the goalies let in a bad goal or 2 or 3, I still see the Flames coming out of this one. But in 7.

[Vinny01]

Reading some stuff online it feels like many are saying the Flames are the mostl likely team to be upset in the first round. I don’t see it myself I think Calgary wins in 5 as this is a great matchup for the Flames. This Flames team is focused and I think they will all be dialed in on Thursday for puck drop. Can’t wait!!!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Locke

I thought John Denver was dead.

That John Denver's full of ####

[topfiverecords]

Avalanche are going to slide.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Reading some stuff online it feels like many are saying the Flames are the mostl likely team to be upset in the first round. I don’t see it myself I think Calgary wins in 5 as this is a great matchup for the Flames. This Flames team is focused and I think they will all be dialed in on Thursday for puck drop. Can’t wait!!!

Avalanche were being billed as the "hottest team" in the NHL, going 8-0-2 in their last 10 games before losing 5-2 to the Sharks last night. Who did they beat:

- Devils (missed playoffs)
- Wild (missed playoffs)
- Stars
- Blackhawks (missed playoffs)
- Golden Knights
- Coyotes (missed playoffs)
- Oilers (missed playoffs)
- Jets

Not exactly running the gauntlet; also included was an OT loss to the Blackhawks (and a shootout loss to the Blues).

Prior to that 10 game "heater", they went 2-5-0, with shutout losses to the Stars and Hurricanes, and two regulation losses to the lowly Ducks. Their two wins also came against the non-playoff teams -- Wings (OT) and Sabres.

[Toonage]

Excited for practice tomorrow. Hope to hear that everyone is on the ice, healthy and get the word on a starter.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by sa226

Its funny, thinking back over the course of the regular season. There's so many ups and downs. There's the dog days of January, there's the ridiculous travel month of February, and there's the "finding yourself" of October November. Really, that stuff shouldn't apply anymore. Desperation level should be at 100%. Compete level should be at 100%.

When I think back to some of the biggest games of the year (Boston, Tampa at home, San Jose) win or lose the Flames fought against their own demons in poor goaltending. There were games when they could outscore their poor goaltending, there were games where the goalies were excellent, but they couldn't score. I'd like to think that this time of year everything for the most part is coming together.

I think we are back to discussing how good of a goalie Mike Smith is. Not if he should even be playing right now. My best guess is he is a mid to average starter who can go hot and cold. I think his compete and experience will hopefully guard against Elliott syndrome, but I also think he still may be second best goalie in this series.

If the Flames get the powerplay going, are dug in and get adequate goaltending, I see this going 5 games max, with Colorado winning Game 3. But if the powerplay is still sputtering, the top players are still inconsistent and the goalies let in a bad goal or 2 or 3, I still see the Flames coming out of this one. But in 7.

Rittich isnt much better than Smith since the all star break he hasnt been as good. Not giving Smith the thumbs up but the Rittich love is too much on here gets delusional at best. Hes decent but not much better if at all better than Smith.

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[CedarMeter]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

8pm starts for 2 MST teams is BS.

Hate it too. Heaven forbid the games go into OT. I honestly think their goaltending can steal a couple games for them. I'm still saying the Flames win, but this sucker is going at least 6 probably 7.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Rick Ball, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, and Ryan Leslie will have the call for the Flames/Avalanche series, per Sportsnet.

this makes me sooooooooooooooooooo happy!

having to endure randorf and debrusk last night was painful.