[CP Story] Rebuild Gravy

[Cube Inmate]

Considering expectations at the start of the season, this is absolutely gravy. That said, this team should never put itself so far behind the 8-ball again that we should EXPECT anything more than a 2-year hiatus from the playoffs. Remember, 2 years ago at this time (at the official beginning of the rebuild, and in our 4th year w/o playoffs) most of us were still expecting at least another 3-4 seasons before playoff contention.

I hope management has learned that it's better to cut losses early and get in & out of the "valleys" quicker. If the downhill side of the Iginla years weren't enough evidence, hopefully an up-close view of Vancouver's experience will be enough. I want my "gravy" to be Stanley-Cup flavoured, rather than simply considering it gravy to be IN the playoffs.

[tvp2003]

It's all gravy at this point.

Besides, even if we manage to beat the Canucks in the first round, we'd have to play the Ducks, the best team in the Conference in the second round. No way we can beat them -- it would almost be like the Flames beating the Wings in 2004 when they were the best team in the Conference. Will never happen...

[Caged Great]

The thing that makes Calgary the most dangerous team in this playoffs is that the Flames have zero expectations and 20 players all pulling in the same direction.

If the Flames advance to round 2, Anaheim will have all the pressure on them as the Flames are just happy to be there. If we split on the road, then all of a sudden the Ducks are going to have to play desperate hockey in order to have a shot.

Who knows how far this team will go. It might just be possible that we could be playing in June. Anything can happen.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Good analysis.

I share your opinion on Wotherspoon. The ice time for the big 3 is not sustainable in the long term, would be nice to get 10 quality minutes out of our #6 guy be it Potter or Wotherspoon.

30 min isn't sustainable. But aren't they just playing 25-26 min?

Also, the Flames obviously place huge importance on conditioning, so maybe more minutes for the big 3 isn't that big of a deal?

[surferguy]

Im not going to look past this round until the Canucks have folded their cheap tent. I have faith and think the Flames will do it and I know odds are on the Flames side but I do not want to be over confident. Anything can still happen.

[Cheese]

Good Gravy!

Also stole this from TSN...

Michael Ferland leads the series with 26 hits. He has twice as many hits as the next closest player’s in this series: Derek Dorsett, Deryk Engelland and David Jones who all have 13. With Joe Colborne at 11, four Flames are in double-digits in the hit column compared to Dorsett, who is the lone Canuck in that category.

SERIES LEADERS

POINTS: Kris Russell (4)
GOALS: Kris Russell & Sam Bennett (2)
ASSISTS: Dennis Wideman (3)
PIM: Deryk Engelland (44)
SHOTS: Daniel Sedin (15)
HITS: Michael Ferland (26)
BLOCKS: Kris Russell (19)