Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
It's not like the Flames don't know how to lock things down as they could lock things down in the regular season better than the Avs. For whatever reason they just didn't want to play their style against the Oilers. Not sure if it's due to being caught up in the BOA and wanting to put on an offensive show or if Tanev was the glue that held the defense together but nevertheless it's very disappointing as this Oilers team isn't that good (barely beat the Kings who didn't look very good) and the Flames played so poorly that it made the Oilers look much better than they are. The Avalanche are showing that they are what we thought they are.
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I think there were two main reasons.
1. A leaky goalie.
2. Key injuries on D.
The leaky goalie problem persisted all friggin season too, and I haven't looked but I bet Markstrom's numbers vs the oilers were terrible the year prior as well. If you have no confidence in your goalie to make a save, it can change your resolve to stick to your game.
Tanev is clearly the glue on the back end, him being out hurt all by itself obviously, but it surely brought down Kylington's effectiveness as well. I remember reading the OK was also banged up a little. Then Zadarov and his ribs. We needed that physical presence and bone crushing hits to slow the oilers forwards down and it was non existent.
Pretty goddamn frustrating to have a relatively healthy roster all season long only to have injuries like that happen two games before we'd end up having our first playoff BoA in 31 years. Typical Flames luck, and to go deep in the playoffs not only do you need a great team, but you need luck on your side as well.
