NSH/DAL/LA/LV - who would like in the first round?

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Inferno

It's actually 10 minutes shorter to fly to Nashville from Calgary compared to Dallas according to Googlemaps.

TIL today. Thanks for doing the research!

[N-E-B]

I genuinely think they could beat any of those 4 teams, even Vegas, in 6 games. LA I think we could beat in 4 or 5 games.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I genuinely think they could beat any of those 4 teams, even Vegas, in 6 games. LA I think we could beat in 4 or 5 games.

Me too. I think the most likely 7 game series is Nashville, but even then, in years past they had what was considered a team that could do some damage and just couldn't get 'er done so who knows...

[BlindMilwaukee]

Whoever gets Nashville has it kind of rough imo.
Josi should probably win the Norris.
Saros always seems to stand on his head when he needs to.
Duchene likely scores 40 this year.
The Preds have 56 fights last I checked.



Flames in 6

[dustygoon]

I prefer a tough match-up at the start to face some adversity. SC winners usually seem to have to face their mortality at some point, and this team hasn't really faced much adversity this year. An easy team to start could mean they subconsciously take it easy. It wouldn't be the first time this group struggles against lesser teams. Give me Vegas!!

[foofighter15]

Last time I answered this question I said Colorado. Never again.

[rogermexico]

I'm in the 'Vengeance on Dallas' camp. I want to be the team that sends Benn and Pavelski home after the handshake line.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Tough to say as there are several games down the stretch. Nashville has been lining up with the Flames for a while and seem like a decent opponent but if they easily handle us in the 2 remaining games then maybe not?

I just don't think there is anything to be drawn from in-season series. The Flames completely dominated Colorado the same year they faced them in the playoffs


Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

[Macindoc]

1. Edmonton (no good, no skills competitions in the playoffs)
2. LA (they will really miss Doughty)
3. Dallas (revenge, average goaltending)
4. Nashville (Josi and Saros worry me)
5. Vegas (will be icing a $90+M lineup)

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

Last time I answered this question I said Colorado. Never again.

Yeah, I'm holding off with having a preference. I was also pretty happy they drew Dallas in the first round a couple of seasons ago and things didn't go so well either.

[GioforPM]

LA or Dallas are better. Nashville and Vegas are party cities that are a risk in road games.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I’d like to avoid Vegas as long as possible, other than that - I don’t think it matters much

Well, that shouldn't be an issue since they aren't making the playoffs. They have a very tough road to catching LA

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Well, that shouldn't be an issue since they aren't making the playoffs. They have a very tough road to catching LA

Three points back if LA with a game in hand

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Vegas. #### those guys. Plus good travel and time zone.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

We're fans. We don't need to do anything except have fun.

Nashville in the first round would be amazing.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

Completely agree with point A.

As to point B, I'm not sure. Nashville is a punishing physical team and could have big success in the tight checking environment of the playoffs. Saros and Josi having career years isn't awesome for their opponent, either.

No easy path here, but I'd take Dallas or LA if I were choosing. But I think it'll be Nashville.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I think perhaps one of the answers is having Tkachuk get in his head and cause him to fight and injure his hand and get him to lose his cool emotionally

I think it’s even simpler than that. Our top line has to out-produce MacKinnon’s while shutting them down (or at least matching them).There’s no handing that assignment off to Backlund this time - the only players we have who’re good enough to nerf MacKinnon are Johnny, Lindy.

If they’re able deal with MacKinnon (and/or McDavid, if it comes to that) themselves over the course of 7 games, then they can win it all.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Buff

We need to focus on winning the next game before we think about who we want to face in the playoffs.

Any team can beat any team. We just need to worry about how well we play.

I can tell you one thing tough, I wouldn't want to be a wildcard team and face Colorado in the 1st round. Waste of 8 days.

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/W...c/Calgary.html

Even if they loss 9 straight the odds of them being a wild card are like 0.0001%, Vegas and Edmonton and LA all have to catch them. Although I agree I would really like to see them get 2-3 wins out of the way, so that they can clinch 1st in the division and cycle some guys through rest.

[djsFlames]

Oh thats a good point. How many wins to clinch the division?

I believe it's 106 points currently right?

Which makes the 'magic number' with Edmonton 7 (or is it 3.5?)

3-0-1 will clinch, which is reduced with every Edmonton loss

[transplant99]

Two teams i think the Flames would like to avoid the longest are the Avs (obvious reasons) and the Blues (match up nightmare and they are really clicking at the right time).

Beyond that it doesnt matter, though the Oilers would be a nice opponent in the 1st round.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Oh thats a good point. How many wins to clinch the division?

I believe it's 106 points currently right?

Oilers on pace for 100 at this point...i would say the Flames are going to be fine with 103/104 by seasons end....2 more wins in the last 9 should get them the division.