[GDT] 2020 WC Play-In Round: Calgary Flames (8) vs. Winnipeg Jets (9) Flames 2-1

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

How can anyone reasonably say that Winnipeg is the embarrassment of Canada when we all know that Edmonton exists?

There’s room in the stable of embarrassments for both.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Just jokes man, no “takes.” Lighten up. I would have thought a Winnipegger would have thicker skin, since it’s so cold there (that one’s for you).

Either way I’m just glad we can poke fun at Winnipeg and you’re happy to try to figure out the jokes in front of us. Should be a very entertaining series on CP lol.

Any hot takes on rail lines lined up?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Just jokes man, no “takes.” Lighten up. I would have thought a Winnipegger would have thicker skin, since it’s so cold there (that one’s for you)...

Also, doesn't the scourge of giant mosquitoes contribute to this? I am quite sure I read somewhere that Winnipegers have developed naturally impenetrable skin as a means to defend against armies of horse-sized mosquitoes.

[Lumby Lager]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

How can anyone reasonably say that Winnipeg is the embarrassment of Canada when we all know that Edmonton exists?

In the 90’s I helped open the Costco on St James st in Winnipeg. I spent 3 weeks in town and the Costco was the nicest building I saw over that time. A little scary that the best building in an entire quarter quadrant of a large city is a Costco.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

Any hot takes on rail lines lined up?

I’m afraid anything beyond “Rail lines are for CHOO CHOO TRAINS” is going to go over your head at this point.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I’m afraid anything beyond “Rail lines are for CHOO CHOO TRAINS” is going to go over your head at this point.

aw cmon fella don't mistake my thinking your take was lame for not understanding it. no hard feelings. i promise ill chuckle at your next hot insult about Winnipeg. Swear to the bear.

[White Out 403]

wrong thread*

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Lumby Lager

In the 90’s I helped open the Costco on St James st in Winnipeg. I spent 3 weeks in town and the Costco was the nicest building I saw over that time. A little scary that the best building in an entire quarter quadrant of a large city is a Costco.

You've clearly never visited the east side of Edmonton.

[SportsJunky]

Listening to NHL radio today and I don't think any of the hosts are picking Calgary in this series. Many are saying it is going to be over quickly and in Winnipeg's favour.

I keep hearing that Tkachuk can't be the only leader and John and Sean need to step up their playoff performances. I'd agree with that.

[FlamesAddiction]

I think these 2 teams match up very well actually.

Hellebuyck scares me to be quite honest, as does their size and strength advantage in the top 6. That was something that killed the Flames against the Avs.

[Textcritic]

I am honestly surprised at how many are writing off the Flames in this series. This one feels as closely matched as two teams could be.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am honestly surprised at how many are writing off the Flames in this series. This one feels as closely matched as two teams could be.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

I have no idea how Calgary isn't the clear favourite. Maybe the layoff has sports writers forgetting about how bad Winnipegs D core is, but the only way this goes in the Jets favour is if Helley is vezina quality all series and the Jets forwards out produce the Flames, where Winnipeg has the advantage in skill

[TheScorpion]

Does Winnipeg have an advantage in skill up front?

Gaudreau and Scheifele are similarly skilled.
Tkachuk and Laine are similarly skilled.
Lindholm and Wheeler are similarly skilled.
Monahan and Connor are similarly skilled.
Backlund and Ehlers are similarly skilled.

And after that I think the Flames have the advantage all the way. The disparity isn't in skill... it's in past playoff execution. But a lot of evidence points to the roots of Flames' recent playoff struggles lying more in unfortunate samples of play than total ineptitude.

[ComixZone]

I think the Flames should win this series.

If they don’t, I’ll transition into full-on “the structure of the team, and the make-up of the roster is wrong” territory.

[BeltlineFan]

Sean Tierney was trying to figure out the optimal line combinations for each team based on some advanced stats (expected goals?). Not one combination that Winnipeg has used ended up in the 'good' category and most ended up in the 'bad' category.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1285418074829721600

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Does Winnipeg have an advantage in skill up front?

Gaudreau and Scheifele are similarly skilled.
Tkachuk and Laine are similarly skilled.
Lindholm and Wheeler are similarly skilled.
Monahan and Connor are similarly skilled.
Backlund and Ehlers are similarly skilled.

And after that I think the Flames have the advantage all the way. The disparity isn't in skill... it's in past playoff execution. But a lot of evidence points to the roots of Flames' recent playoff struggles lying more in unfortunate samples of play than total ineptitude.

It's also surprising to me to see how the skill between both teams's forward groups is distributed: Winnipeg looks stacked on the wings, but very shallow down the middle. Scheifele is a terrific centre, but after him the Jets have Eakin, Lowry and Shore. Not one of those players would supplant Ryan on the Flames's third line, and that is to say nothing for Backlund.

Overall Calgary just looks like a much more balanced team.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am honestly surprised at how many are writing off the Flames in this series. This one feels as closely matched as two teams could be.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Its simply an easy/comfortable go-to to write off the flames in a series.

Any and every analyst will just think of last year until they prove every one wrong by takjng a couple series.

With WPG they will look back to success in recent years over the play and make up of the actual current team.

Both were bubble caliber exhibiting some skill as well as some holes before the break though. It's as even as an 8 vs 9 would indicate and could go any which way.

If someone says there's a clear favorite then they must have some sort of inside information that none of us are privy to.

[442scotty]

Winnipeg hates defensive hockey and they love taking penalties. If the flames play good D it will be over in three games. Assuming our goalies play decent.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Winnipeg hates defensive hockey and they love taking penalties. If the flames play good D it will be over in three games. Assuming our goalies play decent.

That Hanifin-Andersson pair gives me faith. Razz will elevate Hanifin with his compete all over the ice.

[Wastedyouth]

I am pretty surprised how down people are on the Flames. Winnipeg was hot garbage this year relying on a great goalie.