[GDT] WCQF-G4: (P1) Calgary –1 @ (W2) Colorado -2 ~ 8:00pm (CBC, SN, NBCSN, TVAS)

[Makarov]

Its a testament to the current fragility of both the team and the fan base, but if we can make it through the first ten minutes nil-nil, I think everyone will let escape a collective sigh of relief, and hopefully the Flames can get back to playing Flames hockey.

[Mayo]

Originally Posted by troutman

Burke said before the playoffs that he didn't think the Flames are Cup contenders yet - that you have to be battle scarred a couple of times before you can take the next step.

If the Flames lose in the first round it is not a complete loss - Treliving will be paying attention to what changes need to be made.

Ya, I can agree with the battle scarred comment. It's like there is a lack of sacrifice out there, as if they are trying to win the games and come out unscathed. Maybe it takes a couple years of playoff experience before they realize they will be pumping cortisone into every part of their body by round 3.

I'm still hopeful - we have the more talented team.

[Shazam]

This is an actual must-win game.

[Joborule]

Well this is the season right here. I'm expecting a loss since the Flames top brass have been crap for the past few months, and to expecting them to just flip a switch now, when they should've done by Game 2 if they were capable of doing it.

Avalanche top players are vastly outplaying Flames top players, and not anticipating for that to be any different tonight.

BUT, Flames this season have proven me wrong, whenever I think they're going to go back to being the same ole Flames. So tonight would be nice for them to do it once again, and prove they are for real.

This game could define how the core will look like next season.

[HighLifeMan]

I have a feeling Mark Giordano is going to play like a man possessed tonight and take over the game. He has been extremely pedestrian to begin this series and I can't see that sitting well with him.



5-2 Flames.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Wearing my Reg Lindholm today at work. Bring on the good juju! Go Flames Go!

Awesome! Let’s do that hockey Reg! We believe in you! GFG!

[Strange Brew]

Not like this is their first trip into the playoffs. I sure hope a few lessons have been learned already.

Any idea when they hit the ice this morning. Really interested in learning about potential lineup changes.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Mayo

Ya, I can agree with the battle scarred comment. It's like there is a lack of sacrifice out there, as if they are trying to win the games and come out unscathed. Maybe it takes a couple years of playoff experience before they realize they will be pumping cortisone into every part of their body by round 3.

I'm still hopeful - we have the more talented team.

I know that you're all going to hate me for this.


But I go back to a story told by I think Gretzky about after the Oilers lost to the Islands in the finals. Remember at that time the Islanders were a modern dynasty.


After the game the Oilers walked by the Islands dressing room, there was very little partying on loudness in their celebration, because the Islands were battered and bruised and hurt, and exhausted from winning the cup.


Gretzky said he learned a lot from that.


The Flames have to apply any lessons that they've learned from the first 3 games though and in a hurry or this thing is going to be over by Friday night, and I'm going to have to shave off the start of a glorious beard.


Winning is painful, it takes sacrifice and it takes putting your well being and sometimes the game style that you play in the back seat and doing what works. Its kind of that simple.



But the Flames haven't found what works yet, the Avs have.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Well this is the season right here. I'm expecting a loss since the Flames top brass have been crap for the past few months, and to expecting them to just flip a switch now, when they should've done by Game 2 if they were capable of doing it.

Avalanche top players are vastly outplaying Flames top players, and not anticipating for that to be any different tonight.

BUT, Flames this season have proven me wrong, whenever I think they're going to go back to being the same ole Flames. So tonight would be nice for them to do it once again, and prove they are for real.

This game could define how the core will look like next season.

What exactly is the “same old Flames” from a team with such a young core they are only just starting build their brand, reputation, etc...?

[Otto-matic]

Reg, Reg, he's our boy, if he can't do it, no one... will.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

We are a fast skillful team...much like the NHL is trying to encourage. I recall Burke saying if the Flames try to go the tough, physical route, they will lose.

Just play like you are capable and meant to do, and let the chips fall.

Its interesting that the Flames have out-hit the Avalanche all series. However, games 1 and 2 were quite close. In game 3, the Flames out-hit the Avalanche by a wide margin. Now, there is definitely an issue of correlation/causation in these stats. Did the Flames out-hit the Avalanche because the Avalanche had the puck all night? Or did the Avalanche have the puck all night because the Flames were focused on trying to hit rather than skate/pass/score? Difficult to say.

[---Hatrick---]

I would like to see these lines tonight :

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Mangiapane-Ryan-Frolik
Czarnik-Jankowski-Hathaway

See if Bennett can spark that top line, and see if Backlund and Tkachuk can get Lindholm going. It can’t hurt.
Czarnik in for Neal for an injection of speed and a fresh and hungry player who has t played yet. Also more ice time for Ryan.

Gio-Andersson
Hanafin-Hamonic
Valamaki-Stone

Again, bring in a couple guys who are hungry to play. Brodie and Fantenberg can sit a game and watch.

As for goaltending, Smith has done an admirable job so far, however I wouldn’t be opposed to give Rittich a game. The team has played a different game in front of Ritter and the D won’t rely so heavily on Smith to retrieve pucks, which in turn will hopefully get the D more active and alert

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I know that you're all going to hate me for this.


But I go back to a story told by I think Gretzky about after the Oilers lost to the Islands in the finals. Remember at that time the Islanders were a modern dynasty.


After the game the Oilers walked by the Islands dressing room, there was very little partying on loudness in their celebration, because the Islands were battered and bruised and hurt, and exhausted from winning the cup.


Gretzky said he learned a lot from that.


The Flames have to apply any lessons that they've learned from the first 3 games though and in a hurry or this thing is going to be over by Friday night, and I'm going to have to shave off the start of a glorious beard.


Winning is painful, it takes sacrifice and it takes putting your well being and sometimes the game style that you play in the back seat and doing what works. Its kind of that simple.



But the Flames haven't found what works yet, the Avs have.

Thing is those are lessons learned from a young talented team getting to the finals and then meeting a juggernaut.

We're looking at a team that is still trying to take that first step and they've been here before. IMO it's really important they show some signs of life here tonight as they have had had enough lessons already to show better than this.

[Flamboyant 14]

I agree sit Brodie,put in Prout.Hopefully Peters can fire these guys up.Neal better start doing something spectacular as well.

[442scotty]

This is the first year in a long time where I can say that I enjoyed watching the flames play the majority of the time. Unfortunately this team doesn’t have enough heart and soul skill guys to compete at playoff level intensity. After watching Columbus dismantle Tampa and the intensity of the Jets/Blues series it is quite apparent that the Flames have a ways to go.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Just gonna leave this here...



Second most dominant playoff win, in terms of expected goals, in the past decade... Yeah that's going to be a rough one to try and bounce back from.

I guess I'm done making any predictions after the Lightning debacle. Anything can happen. 5 goals for Garnet Hathaway? Sure why not.

[Toonage]

Just an isolated thought, but if the Flames go out its clear that Treliving has been concerned over grit/toughness and has tried on multiple occasions to address that. I'm sure he will keep trying. By all accounts we have been in on

Reaves
Calvert
Maroon
Zucker

In the past year. And got Neal.

I expect that will be key again in the off season. Which is still hopefully many weeks away.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

What exactly is the “same old Flames” from a team with such a young core they are only just starting build their brand, reputation, etc...?

Same ole Flames in being first round fodder. 30 years strong.

And I don't know why this rhetoric of Flames are inexperienced in the playoffs is so prevalent. A fair portion of players on the roster have been part of the playoff with the Flames back in 15 and 17. That's 15 games of experience right there. How much more do you need to figure out what you need to do in order to be effective in the playoffs?

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Makarov

Its interesting that the Flames have out-hit the Avalanche all series However, games 1 and 2 were quite close. In game 3, the Flames out-hit the Avalanche by a wide margin. Now, there is definitely an issue of correlation/causation in these stats. Did the Flames out-hit the Avalanche because the Avalanche had the puck all night? Or did the Avalanche have the puck all night because the Flames were focused on trying to hit rather than skate/pass/score? Difficult to say.

Hits is very misleading there’s a HUGE difference between quantity of hits and quality of hits. The Avs have been the more physical team by far wether we have more “hits” then them or not.

[Kybb79]

Well the 1st line has to step up and win us this game. If they don't we lose.