If there is a Battle vs Chicago...

[dying4acup]

Having done the heavy work a few weeks ago, I like that the Flames are cruising into the playoffs. Guys will actually not have let their foot off the gas, but yet not actually been balls to the wall.

I'm not in favor of a hawks matchup, but knowing what kind of game the Flames can play against top teams, I'm not afraid of any matchup.

[thefoss1957]

I saw that the percentages predicting 1st round matchups for the the 'Hawks are 65% vs. Preds, 32% vs. Flames, 1% vs. Blues, 1% vs. Sharks

That said, as you guys/gals feel that you match up well against the 'Hawks, I prefer to avoid a "heavy" opponent too...last year, the whistle in pocket mentality of playoff officiating gave the Blues the edge they needed to bludgeon their way past the 'Hawks in round 1. So a team that tries to skate with the 'Hawks would be preferable. Speed on speed, skill on skill, a Flames/'Hawks series would be preferable, to me. For aesthetic reasons, more entertaining hockey than Hitchcockian clutch, grab, and pick, as last year, a 'Hawk/Flame match up makes for a focus on speed and skill...for personal reasons, chatting Hockey, here at CalPuck, is more fun H2H, and as a tenured member, here, you guys/gals should know that I relish and appreciate the give and take with knowledgeable fans, whose team has earned a spot by NOT tanking their way to talent...I can take winning or losing, and still maintain some objectivity with our two teams...and for round two and beyond reasons, the 'Hawks are a decidedly UN-physical team, Panik leads us in hits, and even then it isn't hitting to intimidate, it is just normal forechecking pressure...neither team will be "beaten up" as they get to advance...I like the veteran core plus the energy of the rooks that have come on down the stretch, of my guys, they will have been tempered by the long season, with leadership that has been through these wars, playing a proven system with a goalie tandem that have both had playoff pressure games...Q has been a master at line matching, and the 'Hawks are as good a road team as the NHL has.

I don't like to predict or brag...but, the experience of guys like Toews, Kane, Hossa, Kruger (as a D-forward) and the steady top 4 D of Keith, Seabrook, Hjammer and Oduya should be enough to advance.