Western Conference Playoffs - Round 2: Flames vs Ducks (Ducks win 4-1)

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Game times are going to be a big contributor to this. For most of the viewing public in Canada, this game is not going to be in prime time, so that's likely why they made their choice.

Also, you make it sound like you don't have an option to buy Sportsnet or one of the other means of getting this game. You can add one of those services today if you like, so if you really want to see the game, why not add it. If you truly can't afford to pay for it, go to a bar and order a $5 beer and sit there and watch it.

What about the viewing public who watch the 8pm puck drops on Saturday's HNIC? That isn't prime time for Eastern Canada either, however Western Canada are often benefited by it because one of the Western Canadian teams are always playing. What's different here?

I'm not talking about myself. I can add it today if I wanted. I'm talking about the general public. Of course I've got the option to buy it, not everyone else has or wants to.

[Meelapo]

Is it possible to purchase just these games to stream? Does NHL Centre Ice offer some sort of playoff series package? Or maybe someone has a account that one could borrow/rent for the week...

[bc-chris]

does anyone have any killer good duck recipes?

i've done lettuce wraps with duck in the past and they were really good, but i'm toying with doing something like this when the boys come over to watch the game....

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/d...ep7tBSGP6im.97

[RW99]

I couldn't tell if this has been discussed already, but will there be a legal online stream? I watched round one with CBC on my antenna, but it sounds like I will be SOL for round 2? I'm assuming conflicting schedules with Montreal means CBC only carries one of the Canadian teams?

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by RW99

I couldn't tell if this has been discussed already, but will there be a legal online stream? I watched round one with CBC on my antenna, but it sounds like I will be SOL for round 2? I'm assuming conflicting schedules with Montreal means CBC only carries one of the Canadian teams?

I don't see a conflict between the Habs games and Flames games. In the first round I believed Sens-Habs game @5:30pm was on TV first before the Flames-Canucks games @8pm. I don't see the Habs-Red Wings/Lightning starting later than the time Habs played vs Sens and both Flames-Ducks can play at 8pm. Maybe Sportsnet just doesn't want to give the Flames games on CBC.

As far as the PBP and color guys, I think Hughson, Simpson, Healy and maybe Romanuk are CBC guys so they might not do the Flames games. Rick Ball on the other hand is a Sportsnet guy.

[hockey.modern]

Just a tad bit of Anaheims studies on the Flames.

[dammage79]

Well, Smids done. Done like Dinner.

It'll take a miracle or some serious stem cell therapy or whatever advanced genetic science these guys are able to get for Gio to play.

Bouma, well I think there should be two more question marks beside his name because if he can go and Ferland is a go, things got real equal in a hurry in terms of "heavy play".

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Just a tad bit of Anaheims studies on the Flames.

Haha, who was that poster from a few weeks ago who said teams don't pay any attention to what's going on with the other team, they're just worried about preparing their own team?

Seriously, can anyone remember? I thought it sounded so silly at the time.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

does anyone have any killer good duck recipes?

i've done lettuce wraps with duck in the past and they were really good, but i'm toying with doing something like this when the boys come over to watch the game....

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/d...ep7tBSGP6im.97

That looks delicious. You can always make some duck fat roast potatoes.

[Loyal and True]

Originally Posted by DJones

What's everyone think for line matchups?

I kind of want Stajan's line out there against their top line. That's a big line for our top line to handle. They seem to match up better with their second line.

Backlunds line could also match up against their second line.

In Anaheim (Ducks with last change):

1. Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler + Brodie/Engelland vs. Beleskey-Kesler-Silfverberg + Fowler/Despres

Monahan's line is gonna face Kesler line all day. Gonna have to break through once in awhile, especially on power plays. Also Monahan line will face Fowler/Despres most of the time, followed closely by Lindholm/Beauchemin. I think Brodie/Engelland is a good first pairing to use with Monahan. So Brodie can jump in. Will definitely see some Russell/Wideman too.

2. Maroon-Getzlaf-Perry + Lindholm/Beauchemin vs Ferland-Stajan-Jones + Russell/Wideman

Getzlaf line will be out next, when Kesler is done hassling our top line. I don't think Ducks care which of our lines comes out next. Russell's gonna block a lot of shots. Stajan's gonna support his D-men. Ferland and Jones will try to wear down Lindholm/Beauchemin physically. Stajan line will try to hold this line to 1 goal per game, and any offense from Ferland/Stajan/Jones will be a bonus. A lot of dump and chase. If this line is good, then that would be two series where Stajan might be our MVP/Selke guy.

3. Bennett-Backlund-Colborne + Schlemko/Wotherspoon vs Cogliano-Rakell-Palmieri + Stoner/Vatanen

This could be where the series is won/lost. Our 3rd D-pairing won't play much, so expect lots of Brodie/Russell/Wideman to double shift with Backlund. I like our 3rd line here, but Cogliano, Palmieri and Vatanen could do some damage.

4. Bollig/Shore/Jooris/Granlund/Raymond vs Etem/Fleischmann/Thompson/Jackman

Not alot of icetime here. Should be pretty even.

[Flames89]

The other brutal thing about Game Centre is it cuts off right after the game. No post-game analysis.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Haha, who was that poster from a few weeks ago who said teams don't pay any attention to what's going on with the other team, they're just worried about preparing their own team?

Seriously, can anyone remember? I thought it sounded so silly at the time.

I think it was the Corsi dude.

[browna]

I think the spread out first 4 games is advantage Flames.
The bumps will be a harder and the bruises a bit deeper to heal from game to game.

More importantly, there is not a lot of momentum that can carry through

That said, IMO what got the Flames to the Cup in 2004 (and we're a long way from that) was having to play Game 5 in SJ one night after Game 4 here. The Flames lost both games 3+4 here and looked generally terrible. But getting right back on the ice the next night meant

In this case though, I think having the extra time for the Ducks to lose that momentum is a bigger deal to help the Flames. ANA has got some of the guys on that team that take a while to get going/motivated within the game, and having an extra day in between each game will hopefully get those guys on the backfoot for most of the next game.

Here's hoping anyway.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Haha, who was that poster from a few weeks ago who said teams don't pay any attention to what's going on with the other team, they're just worried about preparing their own team?

Seriously, can anyone remember? I thought it sounded so silly at the time.

The topic was talked about in this thread (on page 5):

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=146234

[Mony]

My brain says Ducks in 6 but my heart says Flames in 7.

Go flames!!

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The topic was talked about in this thread (on page 5):

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=146234

Thanks, that was it.

Anyone who thinks it's mind games, do you honestly believe the Canucks care at all what the Flames do at practice today? They're trying to get themselves ready, they're not worried about Hartley or his line combinations or who's starting.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Haha, who was that poster from a few weeks ago who said teams don't pay any attention to what's going on with the other team, they're just worried about preparing their own team?

Seriously, can anyone remember? I thought it sounded so silly at the time.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Anyone who thinks it's mind games, do you honestly believe the Canucks care at all what the Flames do at practice today? They're trying to get themselves ready, they're not worried about Hartley or his line combinations or who's starting.

There are two explanations for Monahan leaving.

1. He is hurt badly enough that he couldn't or didn't want to continue; or
2. He was fine to continue but they're giving him some extra time for maintenance just to be safe.

Either is plausible. My guess is he's playing tomorrow but not at 100%.

[chubeyr1]

Flames are gonna end the anaheim curse quickly. Flames in 5.

Thats what my hearts says, my brain says something different! My brain has been wrong all season. Since were not drafting McDavid, I choose to listen to my heart. Hearts been right all year long!

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by azzarish

What about the viewing public who watch the 8pm puck drops on Saturday's HNIC? That isn't prime time for Eastern Canada either, however Western Canada are often benefited by it because one of the Western Canadian teams are always playing. What's different here?

I'm not talking about myself. I can add it today if I wanted. I'm talking about the general public. Of course I've got the option to buy it, not everyone else has or wants to.

What do you mean general public? And how are you not part of the general public? I'd wager we are all part of the general public.

[sa226]

I really, really, really wanted to beat Vancouver. Now that thats done, I can just bask in the glory of this awesome team being in the second round of the playoffs.

Make no mistake, I want to keep this thing going, but man oh man is Anaheim going to be tough.

The only thing that legitimately worries me is the fatigue of the defense. They looked tired, and Anaheim is going to be tougher than Vancouver. I kind of hope that Hartley strategically is able to get Wotherspoon more icetime. In his tiny sample size, I think he has been pretty good.

What encourages me is that the version of this team that we will see in round two, we havent really seen much of this year. This is now a 4 line team, with three that can score. The top line has really only been that for 2-3 months and if Bennet can keep up his play that help out immensely.

Monahan's future career will be defined on his ability to take on the Getzlafs of the West. Why not start now? Backlund is outmatched by Kelser, but don't count him out. He was inconsistent in round one, but I hope he is ready to matchup with Anaheims top 2.

The Ducks are a much more direct team than Vancouver's perimeter play. That in itself will be a huge challenge, but with everybody dialed in I hope we can make this series interesting.

As an addendum, its hilarious how even after winning round 1 we get no damned respect (in some outlets) I don't know what these guys have to do to get some damned credit for anything around here. I just hope at the very least we give the Ducks a run for their money.