The stretch run (Western Conference)

[Erick Estrada]

Was I not right? I said; "I don't expect Flames homers to accept it" and like clockwork you jump in with a profanity laced post, basically proving my point. I didn't name names or anything. Flames have been chasing the Oilers in the standings most of the season. It is what it is.

[djsFlames]

Oilers played the knights way worse than the Flames did.

People would be losing their minds if we had a first two periods like that. But Oilers were more fortunate and got better goaltending you could probably safely say, hence the point.

I'd definitely say the Flames are playing the better hockey of late and by a fair margin.

[Psytic]

Id rather face the Canucks. I think the Flames can dominate them physically and they are one of the few teams that are more mentally fragile. Assuming they even get in at this rate.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Id rather face the Canucks. I think the Flames can dominate them physically and they are one of the few teams that are more mentally fragile. Assuming they even get in at this rate.

When it comes to mental fragility, you don't think Tkachuk can set off an Oilers implosion in a potential series? You saw the effect he had on the team and city over a few hits right?

I'd be okay with either matchup.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Oilers played the knights way worse than the Flames did.

People would be losing their minds if we had a first two periods like that. But Oilers were more fortunate and got better goaltending you could probably safely say, hence the point.

I'd definitely say the Flames are playing the better hockey of late and by a fair margin.

The Oilers were in position to win their game, never trailed, and came out with a point. I fail to see how that's worse than being down 3-0 and having to scratch back only to lose in regulation. There's little point in trying to convince me or anyone educated that a sample size of one or two games in an 82 game season is relevant when discussing what team has been better over the course of an 82 game season.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

When it comes to mental fragility, you don't think Tkachuk can set off an Oilers implosion in a potential series? You saw the effect he had on the team and city over a few hits right?

I'd be okay with either matchup.

I mean maybe but sometimes they get up for the game because of Chucky and bear eats you. Every game now against the Kings for instance is like their Stanley cup. It doesn't always work in our favor since the flames pick and choose when they are going to show up.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Was I not right? I said; "I don't expect Flames homers to accept it" and like clockwork you jump in with a profanity laced post, basically proving my point. I didn't name names or anything. Flames have been chasing the Oilers in the standings most of the season. It is what it is.

Designating counter opinions as belonging to "Flames homers" is not doing you any favours.

I think that your point about the Oilers playing better hockey most of the season is at best irrelevant, and at worst disingenuous considering the size of the gap. What matters most is how teams are playing once the playoffs start, and whether they can carry that play through more than a handful of games. For two weeks now the Oilers have looked atrocious; despite their record they have been getting obliterated by other teams. Koskinen is playing some of the best hockey of his life, but it is legitimately uncertain whether he can continue to play at the same level when things ramp up to another level.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Id rather face the Canucks. I think the Flames can dominate them physically and they are one of the few teams that are more mentally fragile. Assuming they even get in at this rate.

I like the Canucks matchup much more as well as it seems to me the Flames get under the skin of their skill players and if Markstrom's not back then who wouldn't want that matchup against a team missing their MVP? Also the only times the Flames have ever done much of anything in the playoffs is after facing the Canucks in the 1st round.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I like the Canucks matchup much more as well as it seems to me the Flames get under the skin of their skill players and if Markstrom's not back then who wouldn't want that matchup against a team missing their MVP? Also the only times the Flames have ever done much of anything in the playoffs is after facing the Canucks in the 1st round.

Strange but true. That's a funny stat. Bring on the Canucks!

[bubbsy]

I actually don't want to face the oilers not because I think they are that much better than the flames (though, I do think their slightly better. They have more points, more wins, more regulation wins; 6 more in fact, better goal differential, better special teams, better goaltending, not to mention 2x top5 forwards in the league, now playing on 2 separate lines).

I think it would be a long series. Even if we go in with 50/50 odds on it, I just can't live thru a playoff elimination at the hands of the oilers. Can the flames beat the oilers this year in a best of 7, sure, maybe. I'd still want to avoid it as the alternate outcome is unpalatable.

[dino7c]

Oilers have been one win better over the entire season...Flames have been better since November though and have a major edge head to head.

As for last night, I can't remember seeing a team dominated that badly. The shots were 24-3 half way through the game against a team that played the night before (an advantage the Oilers often have but won't in the playoffs) They fluked out a point but it's pretty telling of how their team is trending. 40-50 shots against is not sustainable, their coach agrees.

I wouldn't bet the farm on a series against the Oilers but to suggest they would be some big favourite is ridiculous

How do the Flames face the Canucks in round one? Highly unlikely

It's Blues, Vegas, Colorado, Oilers

I know my pick

[djsFlames]

I might take colorado sans MacKinnon in a revenge series. Somehow pulling that out in 7 would be the greatest dose of confidence medicine this team could ask for.

And we now have Lucic to punch Zadorov in the face when needed.

[dino7c]

Well if MacKinnon is out they likely don't win the division

[Toonage]

I feel like the Flames can't win even if they make the playoffs.
(Assuming they don't go on some miraculous cup run)

Win a round? Geoff Ward likely gets the head coach gig full time.

Win a round? Much needed changes may be put off.

Lose in round 1? Good chance its to the Oilers.

Lose in round 1? Team gets blown up.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I feel like the Flames can't win even if they make the playoffs.
(Assuming they don't go on some miraculous cup run)

Win a round? Geoff Ward likely gets the head coach gig full time.

Win a round? Much needed changes may be put off.

Lose in round 1? Good chance its to the Oilers.

Lose in round 1? Team gets blown up.

So you're going to cheer against them if they make it?

For the sake of future playoff runs that havent yet materialized?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

So you're going to cheer against them if they make it?

For the sake of future playoff runs that havent yet materialized?

Nope, sorry didn't mean to infer that. Just concerns.

[dino7c]

Can't argue with fans who want the team to lose so the coach gets fired and players get traded

There would be no negative to winning a round...come on

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I feel like the Flames can't win even if they make the playoffs.
(Assuming they don't go on some miraculous cup run)

Win a round? Geoff Ward likely gets the head coach gig full time.

Win a round? Much needed changes may be put off.

Lose in round 1? Good chance its to the Oilers.

Lose in round 1? Team gets blown up.

I think changes are coming regardless as we have seen enough from this team since the all-star break last season to know that the current construction of the team is flawed. I don't think Treliving is a great GM but I do think he's a smart man and isn't oblivious to the issues nor would winning a playoff round erase his memories of the last 100+ games. Obviously if the Flames go on a long playoff run there would be some pressure to bring back the coach but have the Flames really showed anyone over the course of the last 1.5 seasons that they have it in them to battle through multiple playoff rounds? I don't know, but then again anything can happen and I hope for the Flames to win every game and of course every playoff series as I could never adopt a loser mentality of hoping for losses. Making the playoffs is always a win compared to the alternative even and it's not out of the realm of possibility they get hot at the right time and win a series or two.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Can't argue with fans who want the team to lose so the coach gets fired and players get traded

There would be no negative to winning a round...come on

And against the Oilers. Only bad can come from winning, worst thing for the organization.

Outside of beating a legitimate top team in round 2, I don't see Ward being kept into next season.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I might take colorado sans MacKinnon in a revenge series. Somehow pulling that out in 7 would be the greatest dose of confidence medicine this team could ask for.

And we now have Lucic to punch Zadorov in the face when needed.

I like it. Cant out skate them but maybe we can punch their faces in. I want to see Ward show some outside the box thinking. Peters had no answer.