[PST] Playoff Series Thread: Ducks (1st Pacific) vs Flames (1st Wild Card)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by OldSam

I did not like Freidman wondering on 960 this morning wondering if Gio will get several penalties to even up the loss of Fowler. What the hell is that? The referees planning to affect the series before it starts? Typical, I guess. Flames have to ignore the Ducks. Play Flames hockey and we can do this.

Yeah that kind of got my attention. Why would the officials have that mindset? Sure hope that was just his personal thoughts and nothing he's heard through the grape vine.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am honestly surprised by the number of people who are predicting the Flames to win only one game.

That's likely based on the Honda center curse and the fact that the Flames only won 1/5 games in the season series despite playing 3/5 in Calgary. The Honda Center curse is strong and every year I think it's going to end and it never does. I hate to say it's futile but you really have to wonder what it's going to take for the Flames to win there. I can't believe over all these years that the Ducks haven't laid at least one egg against the Flames in that building.

[REDVAN]

I voted Flames in 6 because I think they'll break the curse and get up 2-0: easy win the first game and a tight 1-0 win the second game. Then fall the first game at home, bounce back and return to LA with a 3-1 lead. Lose horribly like the usually do in the pond, then return home and win the series on home ice with a bunch of rough/cheap stuff from the Ducks.

[kermitology]

This goes one of two ways:

The fall into the trap of trying to beat the Ducks at their own game; or they try to play our game.

If the Flames try to hit everything, Ducks in 5.

If the Flames maintain focus and play our game, Flames in 6.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah that kind of got my attention. Why would the officials have that mindset? Sure hope that was just his personal thoughts and nothing he's heard through the grape vine.

This is not just a Flames issue. If refs go into any game with the thought of evening things up or any agenda at all it cheapens the game and makes for a serious lack of integrity. I hate the fact that an insider feels this way as it likely has some credence.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by OldSam

I did not like Freidman wondering on 960 this morning wondering if Gio will get several penalties to even up the loss of Fowler. What the hell is that? The referees planning to affect the series before it starts? Typical, I guess. Flames have to ignore the Ducks. Play Flames hockey and we can do this.

If this is a thing, I don't see how the Flames have a hope. We'll see penalties like that one on Wideman.

[FlamesAddiction]

If the Flames weren't going in to the playoffs cold over the past 10 games or so, I would have more hope.

[Vinny01]

I think having those late season losses to the Ducks will come in handy. Clearly the Flames got stuck playing the Ducks style against them and they failed miserably. If they stick to their system and use their speed they can beat them.

[IliketoPuck]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Wait all the Dome games start at 8pm too? What the heck! Eff you Ducks!! (and all 3 eastern Canadian teams in the playoffs problems I'm sure. But I prefer to blame the Ducks)

HNIC early game is 5PM, late game is 8PM.

Playoffs are just like non-stop Saturday games.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's likely based on the Honda center curse and the fact that the Flames only won 1/5 games in the season series despite playing 3/5 in Calgary. The Honda Center curse is strong and every year I think it's going to end and it never does. I hate to say it's futile but you really have to wonder what it's going to take for the Flames to win there. I can't believe over all these years that the Ducks haven't laid at least one egg against the Flames in that building.

Here is the way I look at this: one of the great equalizers in any NHL playoff series is the familiarity that is bred through seven straight games between two teams. A significantly worse Flames team won a game against Anaheim in 2015, and pushed the Ducks to OT at the Honda Center in Game #5. I have an extremely difficult time accepting that this year's Flames team will fail to improve on that.

[Strange Brew]

The Ducks are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. This series is a great measuring stick for the Flames and their coaching staff. I am going in with zero expectations but excited as hell. Very happy the Flames are opening on the road which should ease the pressure a little bit.

[The Yen Man]

Guess one good thing to come out of all this is, everyone is predicting Ducks to stomp the Flames. I hope they catch them and their cocky fans off guard and show them Flames are no pushovers.

[Toonage]

Quick question for you all. What line up changes (if any) do you see the Flames making?

Lazar in? Bouma out? Stajan out? You want to play fast, but you can't sacrifice toughness. At the same time, you can't play grit just for the sake of it if they can't produce.

[Jiggy_12]

Imagine we pull out a game 1 win?

I don't think there's ever been a scenario where a game 1 win could have as much of an impact on a series. Win game 1, I think we win the series. Lose game 1? I'm thinking Ducks in 6 or 7.

Remember 2004 when we played Detroit? Everyone just thrilled to be there but almost all expected a quick series, Wings in 4 or 5. Flames went in there and got that pretty lucky OT win that nobody expected, and that was the boost they needed to compete and to sit in the drivers seat.

Let's win game 1.

[Puppet Guy]

Anyone driving to California? He needs a lift:

Spoiler!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Anyone driving to California? He needs a lift:

Spoiler!

NSFW!

[Darkknight]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Quick question for you all. What line up changes (if any) do you see the Flames making?

Lazar in? Bouma out? Stajan out? You want to play fast, but you can't sacrifice toughness. At the same time, you can't play grit just for the sake of it if they can't produce.

I think initially you go for the same lineup that ran off the 10 gamer. If the first game goes poorly I think you re-evaluate, if/when that happens you can look at putting in Lazar over an under performing player or someone getting suckered into the rough stuff. I think Tkachuk will either be fantastic in this series or a complete liability, while he may be a complete PITA I think he's real strength is his hockey smarts and hopefully he understands he needs to stay focused on the game plan.

[CaptainCrunch]

Stuffing

• 60g Duck Fan Expectations
• 1 tear inducing onion (finely chopped)
• 1⁄2 cupDuck Ego , chopped or 3 tablespoon Media hyping the ducks
• 1 teaspoon of Ryan Kessler's cheap shots
  
• ground Cory Perry
• 1 -1 1⁄2 cup duck fans referees conspiracy theories
• 1 baby duck egg

Saute the onion in the 60g of Duck fan Expectations Saute over a Calgary Flame until the Duck fans stop their crying


Take off of heat and add the rest of the ingrediants ramming the Ducks egg into Kessler's stupid face. Mix well, if its still too dry then add more referee conspiracy theories and some tears from frustrated duck fans.


Take the duck rip its head off and pull its guts out through its a$$ then ram the stuffing in and toss it into a pre heated oven for two hours.


Serves thousands

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Wait all the Dome games start at 8pm too? What the heck! Eff you Ducks!! (and all 3 eastern Canadian teams in the playoffs problems I'm sure. But I prefer to blame the Ducks)

BoA would've been more reasonably scheduled. Ducks just ruin everything don't they.

[CaptainCrunch]