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

[Winsor_Pilates]

A lot of people are underestimating our team. Aside from the terrible start and Elliott struggles, we've been one of the league's top teams for months now.

This is not the 2015 Flames. Although the Ducks are the favourite on paper, I don't think the margin is actually that large.
In fact, I'd say there's very few series this year at all that have a truly lopsided favourite vs underdog feel to them (Caps vs Leafs for example).

[CaptainCrunch]

Part of me, the small petty part of me, wants to see Gio score on Ducks ice and then turn around and point at Murray and then do an exaggerated clutching his knee limp off of the ice.


I would also like to see Ferland jumping on the first guy to slash at Johnny's hand and pretty much break his face.

I'd also like to see MT accidentally slew foot Anaheim's goalie while yelling "Ooopppsss" as loud as he can.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Bold prediction..It's going to be a close series. I say Flames in 7 only because of obvious bias.

But, when you look at "not-so fancy" stats, the teams are very close;

http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggreg...,1&sort=points

The only stat where one team has a clear advantage is face-off win percentage - 54.7 to 48.9 in favour of the Ducks.

[GullFoss]

One consideration in Calgary's favor is that the team hasn't really been strategic with lines the entire season. The team probably begins to weigh more heavily on their big guns. And that should really make a huge difference.

Hamilton + Gio: 25-30 minutes per night
Brodie + Stone: 20-25 minutes per night
Engelland + Bart: 10 minutes a night

Backlund line - 20+ minutes a night
Monahan line - 20+ minutes a night
third/fourth line - 15 minutes a night combined

On the flip side, teams like Edmonton have already been relying on their big guns all season, while Anahiem's injuries on the back end is going to limit its ability to overplay their big guys.

[Da_Chief]

I think the D needs to become a 5 man rotation. Bartowski shouldn't see more then 6-7 minutes a night, Engelland can play 15+ minutes.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Okay, we've got Burke now all we need is a barn.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Are we gonna get a GM showdown this time?? A locker room brawl?

Murray was a bonafide NHLer. Treliving never made it to the show but he was pretty much a tough guy in the minors.

I'll take Treliving for the win by knee bar (just to add insult to injury).

[EVERLAST]

I'm really curious to see which players have another gear, more to give , etc etc.

TROY BROUWER....have we seen his best only as a Blue ? Sure hope not....he's shown some glimpses.....need more from him.

Johnny Gaudreau .... the hunted...I think Johnny needs to develop a bit of a Theo Fleury attitude ...slash me I'll slash you back....show some fight and maybe things even out.....hell the refs might be so impressed they leave the whistles in they're pockets.

Gio....already in beast mode.....I switched him from stun to kill 5 games ago.

Ferlund ....I think he's been conserving some energy for the playoffs as he's cooled off a bit but played okay. Thursday I'll switch him from stun to kill.

3m line.....Always dangerous and entertaining with that kid on that line ...you know ....what's his face.....I kid I kid....Tkachuk is such a great surprise .....I hope he draws this entire team into what he brings each night in wanting to win.

Elliott. Proud guy. You can tell. Franchise record tied not a fluke. I hope he solidifies his spot.

Engelland. Seriously ....wow underrated . Love this guy. Maybe he can bump 2 duck heads together for a repeat of 2 years ago scrapping all comers.....bring it.

Stone....guy has been great here and hope he retires here. Great things to come.

Dougie Hamilton .....pleasantly surprised . Wow. BIg and skates like a deer (Burke...lol) .....get those point shots thru and maybe be a little meaner and he's perfect.

T J Brodie . ...this guy reminds me of Jordan Leopold.... steady and dependable ....top minutes...good defenceman.

Stajan....it's playoffs and I'm only wanting 60% of your face offs won and know you can do it.

When we lose I hope we see Freddie Hamilton, Hathaway , Lazar inserted to inject some speed and energy ...I think they will surprise people .

Game 1 can't come soon enough....and yeah I'll second the need for Mr finger pistols hands on a platter.

Go Flames go

[transplant99]

Man...lots of positivity in this thread. Good for those who are feeling it.

I wish I could say the same, but I see no reason that things will be any different than they have been for the last 5 years.

6-21 over that span including playoffs 2 years ago.

Hopefully Im dead wrong...and im sure as hell going to be screaming at the TV for them to win it.

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

I'm really curious to see which players have another gear, more to give , etc etc.

Engelland has played really well for most of the year. I am looking forward to seeing him in "playoff mode" this year.

[CaptainCrunch]

They keys to beating the Ducks

Screen the goalie, I mean sure he's fat, but his parents are determined to move him to Philly. Plus he doesn't skate that well and did I mention that he's fat.



Make sure you know your district lines so the cheating cake eater ducks can't cheat and steal your best players

If you see this



Its probably going to lead to this



so as a coach be prepared to challenge on the off side, because its fricken off side.

Make your goalie practice against the triple deke, its really all they have from an offensive standpoint

[442scotty]

As long as we stick to our game we have a chance. As soon as we start running around trying to force hits on the ducks we will get out of sync and play right into their hands

[442scotty]

Having said that, it doesn't look good �� .

[blender]

Anaheim is the better team on paper and on the ice. 4th best record in the league this season. They are consistent and don't have any obvious weaknesses.

Flames are probably better than their overall record (middle of the league), but still not as good as the Ducks. Anaheim is hotter lately, too. Clearly they are the favourite.

On the other hand, the line between top teams and playoff qualifiers is very thin at this level (a couple wins or even a handful of loser points), so an elevated performance in a few games by a player or two can turn a series. Both teams have game-breakers, both teams have capable goaltending.

The injuries to the Ducks blueline closes the gap. I think it will be a number of close games even if it isn't a long series, but hope springs eternal: Flames in 6!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by blender

Anaheim is the better team on paper and on the ice. 4th best record in the league this season. They are consistent and don't have any obvious weaknesses.

Flames are probably better than their overall record (middle of the league), but still not as good as the Ducks. Anaheim is hotter lately, too. Clearly they are the favourite.

On the other hand, the line between top teams and playoff qualifiers is very thin at this level (a couple wins or even a handful of loser points), so an elevated performance in a few games by a player or two can turn a series. Both teams have game-breakers, both teams have capable goaltending.

The injuries to the Ducks blueline closes the gap. I think it will be a number of close games even if it isn't a long series, but hope springs eternal: Flames in 6!

Kevin Bieksa plays a regular shift on their blueline. If that isnt an obvious weakness then I dont know what is.

Down With Cornelius!

[EVERLAST]

Hard to believe but Flames and Ducks are the most penalized in the league according to Nhl.com

Wow.....that needs to change and I had no idea until I looked it up.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Locke

Kevin Bieksa plays a regular shift on their blueline. If that isnt an obvious weakness then I dont know what is.

Down With Cornelius!

I get your point, but it hasn't hurt the team over the course of the regular season.

Bieksa in an increased role may well be a problem for the Ducks moving forward. I'm hoping so.

[sun]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

When Garrett did colour commentary on the Flames broadcast regularly it was always fun when the Safeway product of the day or whatever was shown on screen. He'd sum up beautifully how tasty each product was, how he cooked it, what it went well with. All the while PbP man Millions drooled mmmm'inlgy in the background.

Now he just drools hmmm'ingly on twitter.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Man...lots of positivity in this thread. Good for those who are feeling it.

I wish I could say the same, but I see no reason that things will be any different than they have been for the last 5 years.

6-21 over that span including playoffs 2 years ago.

Hopefully Im dead wrong...and im sure as hell going to be screaming at the TV for them to win it.

This team is completely different team than a couple of playoffs ago.

Goaltending -
Elliott >>> Hiller/Ramo

Defense -
Wideman, Russel, Shlemko, Wotherspoon <<< Gio, Hamilton, Stone, Bartowski

Forwards -
Hudler, Colborne, Raymond, Jones, Jooris <<< Tkatchuk, Versteeg, Frolik, Chaisson, Brouwer (hopefully)

Now that doesn't mean we are guaranteed to win but we have a better shot this year than 2014/2015.

[goodyear]

Break the curse and get the split in the first two games. If that happens, the rest will take care of itself.

Go Flames Go and F the finger pistol guy.

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