Western Conf Playoffs - Round 1: Flames vs. Hughson's Canucks (Flames lead 3-2)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by BCF

Actually the Canucks are an incredibly strong puck possession team. And they do get strong goaltending. But they do start games off slow which the flames will take advantage of. As much as people think the Sedins will be easy to shut down the Canucks will keep up with the flames and will be a bit physical.

It's going to be depth that decides this series.

The Canucks IMO are the most average team to make the playoffs in the West as they aren't really great at anything. The Flames aren't far behind but they score more goals, give up less goals, are faster but then they are not a good Corsi team. Goaltending is a wash as they are statically nearly identical with a slight edge to the Flames. Pretty evenly matched series but the Canucks to have playoff experience on their side.

[mrkajz44]

If the Flames play in the playoffs the way they did last night, then I have a good feeling we make it through to the second round. It was clear they were hungry last night and were the dominant team early. They overpowered in the first period and won the game as a result.

Keep it up! GFG!

[King Theo]

Flames in 5 games.

[Property Manager DB]

GFG!
Just play like last night and there are no concerns

[Flame12]

Flying to Vancouver on the 21st should I risk bringing my Flames gear. I will be with my wife and grandkids so know the rep of some of the Canucks fans?

[Moneyhands23]

I'm hoping for Flames in 6 as I'll miss the 1st 5 games.
Why the bleep did I book a trip to Maui in April!!!

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Flame12

Flying to Vancouver on the 21st should I risk bringing my Flames gear. I will be with my wife and grandkids so know the rep of some of the Canucks fans?

Lol. You will get the odd person to use horrible language, but it should be ok...unless it's an elimination night...then it will be swearing throwing things and Mantrums for days!

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Battle stations everyone. The opposition fans will be flooding our boards soon in the coming days. As the flames battle on the ice, we will have our own battle on the board. We will need our statisticians, our trolls, our defenders, and attackers at the ready to debate all manner of Flames vs Canuck topics.

For the length of this playoff series we should all unite and avoid internal bickering. Let's show a united front that the opposition can't come into our house and disrespect our Flames.

Go Flames Go!

[Resolute 14]

To be perfectly honest, the Flames and Canucks are probably the two weakest teams in the western playoffs. We are also evenly matched - even without Gio - so this should be a good series. About the only thing I wouldn't predict is a sweep, either way.

[handgroen]

nm

[JohnnyB]

Tonights game was the first taste I've had of playoff rivalry hatred in a while. That irrational and empassioned feeling of deep hatred when watching a fan in an opposition jersey celebrating a goal against the Flames. I hate the Canucks without the playoffs. This eries is going to be emotional.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by Back2Back

Sedins will be too much for you guys, imo.

Canucks in 6.

Hah. The sisters in the playoffs, and now as old as they are, will be literal pushovers. Bring it!!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Can we agree not to call them the sisters at least? It's incredibly sexist. They're obviously weird enough guys to make fun of without resorting to that.

Honestly as unbelievably pumped as I am for this series I'm kind of annoyed with the matchup at the same time as it's going to be impossible to have an actual hockey conversation about it, I know everyone hates the enemy but the level of discourse doesn't have to be that low.

[tko]

Flames in 6

[PeteMoss]

The rest of the West playoff series are going to be crazy as well. If the season ended now you'd have:
St.Louis/Minnesota
Nashville/Chicago
Anaheim/Winnipeg

Wouldn't be surprised if they all end up going seven.

[Ducay]

I think we're evenly matched as long as we can contain the Sisters in their cycle/net game.

Plus, Canucks are without their all time leading scorer:

[PrettyBoyFlizzy]

This was the best case for us. Vancouver is the weakest link in the playoffs, and we got them right where we want them.

We shall dispose of the scum known as the Vancouver Canucks in 5 games.

[Burke Salad]

Would Gio be ready to return at all during the playoff's or are we talking months away?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

I'm just going off the assumption that game 1 and 2 will be in Vancouver.

My guess is that Game 1 is on Wednesday April 15th and Game 2 is on Friday April 17th, because there are events at Rogers Arena on the 16th and 18th.

There are events at the Saddledome on Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd, so Game 3 is likely Sunday the 19th and Game 4 could be Tuesday the 21st.

That would put Game 5 back at Rogers Arena on Thursday the 23rd or Friday the 24th.

If it's Thursday the 23rd, Calgary might get a Saturday night Game 6. I'm not sure if that's a torrid pace for a playoff series... Maybe they have more time between games.

I guess to answer your question, I'd try to buy Game 2 in Vancouver... Or Game 5 in Vancouver.

I'm pleased to see this and it makes sense. I hope that you're right because I have to drive up to Red Deer on Monday night (unavoidable work commitment), and have tickets for "home game A", so I'd love that game to be on Sunday and not on Monday. I'll obviously still go to the game and drive up afterwards if needs be. Early morning be damned.

The only thing that could throw a wrench into the works is the fact that there are two Canadian teams involved, and Sportsnet would love a Saturday night HNIC matchup. On the other hand, they'll pull in great numbers whatever day and time the games are on.

[iLoveLamp]

I think his recovery time was 4 months or so from the surgery. So barring a miracle, he probably wouldn't be ready until July