[News] WCQF: Your Calgary Flames (P1) vs Colorado Avalanche (WC2) — AVALANCHE WIN SERIES 4-1

[Mathgod]

If Tampa, Calgary, Boston, Washington, San Jose, Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Winnipeg all go out in the first round, it'll mean 8 of the top 10 teams in the regular season will have been bounced in the first round. Has that ever happened before in NHL history?

[Vinny01]

I think the Flames should consider sitting Neal and Jankowski while bringing in Dube and Czarnik. They would add some speed to the lineup and Janko/Neal have been useless

[Spinach]

Some problems aside, this season is still a success no matter what happens in this series. If we'd been told last September that the Flames would not only make the playoffs but have the second-best record in the league, probably a lot of fans would have been thrilled. It's doubtful anyone who works for or follows the team expected (that being the key word) a Cup in 2019, or even a Finals appearance.

Obviously the playoffs have not been anything to get thrilled about. Still, overall, this year's been a good step for the franchise.

What concerns me is the top forwards' play over the last couple of months (outside of a handful of games). And that's food for later on.

[flamesforcup]

Originally Posted by Spinach

Some problems aside, this season is still a success no matter what happens in this series. If we'd been told last September that the Flames would not only make the playoffs but have the second-best record in the league, probably a lot of fans would have been thrilled. It's doubtful anyone who works for or follows the team expected (that being the key word) a Cup in 2019, or even a Finals appearance.

Obviously the playoffs have not been anything to get thrilled about. Still, overall, this year's been a good step for the franchise.

What concerns me is the top forwards' play over the last couple of months (outside of a handful of games). And that's food for later on.

If we lose in 7 or even 6 id be fine with calling it a satisfactory season but if we lose in 5 id call it a failure. Losing in 5 to a team that wouldnt even make the playoffs with their points in most years while having home ice advantage is embarrassing anyway you spin it (i still think we win the series but if we lose tomorrow its bad).

[Caged Great]

The regular season sorts things out by how much talent a team has.

It has nothing to do with how good a team is.

The Flames are a very talented team.

The Flames are not a "good" team.

Right now, what I see this team needing is a top 6 Center, a top 6 RW, and a goalie (Smith after his performance would be perfectly fine returning to split duties with Rittich, otherwise get someone equal or better)

Just like with Frolik, Backlund is not a good option as a 2nd line center. If either is above being on the 3rd line, you have certain issues. With Monahan not being great as a 1st line C, the Flames really need a high quality 2nd line C.

The Flames will need to go out and get those two things this offseason. Getting Zucker would accomplish task #1 of getting a top six RW. They would only need to get a decent quality C. With trading chips like Brodie available, the Flames have some options at their avail.

The Flames are immensely talented as a whole. Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk, Backlund Giordano, Hanifin, Hamonic, Andersson, Valimaki is a great group of players. Once again, they need a few other parts to make this team truly dangerous.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by Spinach

Some problems aside, this season is still a success no matter what happens in this series. If we'd been told last September that the Flames would not only make the playoffs but have the second-best record in the league, probably a lot of fans would have been thrilled. It's doubtful anyone who works for or follows the team expected (that being the key word) a Cup in 2019, or even a Finals appearance.

Obviously the playoffs have not been anything to get thrilled about. Still, overall, this year's been a good step for the franchise.

What concerns me is the top forwards' play over the last couple of months (outside of a handful of games). And that's food for later on.

I'd gladly exchange the teams regular season finish with 2,3, WC1 or WC2, if it meant post season success (assuming they indeed lose to Colorado).

Although the core is still young, they've been around for 4/5 years. The post season performances have seen no significant improvement, both individually or from a team perspective. When faced with adversity or pressure they have yet to deliver and seem to crumble, that is crucial in the development to get into the next tier, where they can truly be considered a cup threat.

Was hoping that this year they would show the moment isn't to big for them. Here is hoping they shock the world and turn it around.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think the Flames should consider sitting Neal and Jankowski while bringing in Dube and Czarnik. They would add some speed to the lineup and Janko/Neal have been useless

Add Monahan to the list as well, he is the number one drag to a line right now, Quine would be better, yes, I said it. an AHL'er would likely look better than Monahan

[Spinach]

Originally Posted by CGY12

I'd gladly exchange the teams regular season finish with 2,3, WC1 or WC2, if it meant post season success (assuming they indeed lose to Colorado).

Although the core is still young, they've been around for 4/5 years. The post season performances have seen no significant improvement, both individually or from a team perspective. When faced with adversity or pressure they have yet to deliver and seem to crumble, that is crucial in the development to get into the next tier, where they can truly be considered a cup threat.

Was hoping that this year they would show the moment isn't to big for them. Here is hoping they shock the world and turn it around.

Absolutely, postseason success means way more than regular season success. In the Flames' case this year, I don't know that a first-round defeat negates their fine regular season, though.

Things looked bleak as recently as 6-9 months ago. They'd come off a poor 17-18 season, had no picks in the first two rounds of the draft, goaltending was in serious doubt, etc.

Unless this past regular season was a serious aberration (possible but unlikely), this team looks primed to make the playoffs regularly, provided they find some stable goaltending if Rittich can't do it. Barring a comeback in this series, it's now time to mold it into a unit that gets it done in the playoffs. Easier said than done? Maybe, but at least we shouldn't be suffering through missing the playoffs by considerable margins.

[Spinach]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

The Flames will need to go out and get those two things this offseason. Getting Zucker would accomplish task #1 of getting a top six RW. They would only need to get a decent quality C. With trading chips like Brodie available, the Flames have some options at their avail.

.

Isn't Zucker a LW? The Flames do need to get faster up front, preferably with a RH shot.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Spinach

Isn't Zucker a LW? The Flames do need to get faster up front, preferably with a RH shot.

IIRC he can play both sides.

[Iggy Snipe]

Calgary has blown two LATE leads and lost in OT. This series could easily be 3-1 the other way. Funny thing is, we haven't seen the Flames are their best, not even close.
Neal looks like he is 48 years old.
Jankowski and Monahan look SO SLOW, and are both ineffective.

Colorado is skating circles around Calgary.


Flames are going to get fired up, and turn this thing around starting tonight.

My prediction : Flames 5-0
Neal, Monahan(2) , Jankowski, Gio

Flames are going to force a game 6, and then it gets interesting.

[Jore]

From Darren Haynes' breakdown of the ot goal the other night on the athletic:



Look at all the space Hamonic gives Soderberg right after surrendering the blueline. What is he doing? Is he afraid of being burned by the all-mighty Soderberg?

I realize that Backlund and Neal also failed on that 3 on 3 rush, but that's beer league gap control from Hamonic. The second pairing has been getting eaten alive on zone entires and exits. Look at the gap Hanifin, following Mackinnon to the boards, gave Makar on his goal.



what is he doing??

Hamonic alone had 3 or 4 passes from his zone right to the tape of the avs forwards last game. Hanifin almost gave the game away in regulation by taking an obviously overwhelmed and panicky penalty right after Rantanen scored.

Give them less ice time ffs Peters. They're playing with much less composure and confidence than the all rookie pairing. Valimaki should have never sat so long for Fantenberg in the first place.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

Calgary has blown two LATE leads and lost in OT. This series could easily be 3-1 the other way. Funny thing is, we haven't seen the Flames are their best, not even close.
Neal looks like he is 48 years old.
Jankowski and Monahan look SO SLOW, and are both ineffective.

Colorado is skating circles around Calgary.


Flames are going to get fired up, and turn this thing around starting tonight.

My prediction : Flames 5-0
Neal, Monahan(2) , Jankowski, Gio

Flames are going to force a game 6, and then it gets interesting.

Gonna be hard for Neal to score from the pressbox.

[canflip_101]

neal out czarnik in.... benzo goes up to the top line... go flames go

[Robo]

Good luck flames I wont be watching tonight I cant take the reffing and it is angering me too much I will be following the score though that way I wont be emotionally invested in the outcome as much. Anyways go flames go

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Robo

Good luck flames I wont be watching tonight I cant take the reffing and it is angering me too much I will be following the score though that way I wont be emotionally invested in the outcome as much. Anyways go flames go

It's just sports..

[MRCboicgy]

Neal scratch story https://www.tsn.ca/flames-scratch-ne...me-5-1.1293251

[1_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Robo

Good luck flames I wont be watching tonight I cant take the reffing and it is angering me too much I will be following the score though that way I wont be emotionally invested in the outcome as much. Anyways go flames go

That's exactly how I feel. Being a fan for almost 40 years it's hard not to get emotionally invested.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

Neal scratch story https://www.tsn.ca/flames-scratch-ne...me-5-1.1293251

I like those lines!

[868904]

Originally Posted by Jore

From Darren Haynes' breakdown of the ot goal the other night on the athletic:



Look at all the space Hamonic gives Soderberg right after surrendering the blueline. What is he doing? Is he afraid of being burned by the all-mighty Soderberg?

I realize that Backlund and Neal also failed on that 3 on 3 rush, but that's beer league gap control from Hamonic. The second pairing has been getting eaten alive on zone entires and exits. Look at the gap Hanifin, following Mackinnon to the boards, gave Makar on his goal.



what is he doing??

Hamonic alone had 3 or 4 passes from his zone right to the tape of the avs forwards last game. Hanifin almost gave the game away in regulation by taking an obviously overwhelmed and panicky penalty right after Rantanen scored.

Give them less ice time ffs Peters. They're playing with much less composure and confidence than the all rookie pairing. Valimaki should have never sat so long for Fantenberg in the first place.

Fans on this board have been noting the terrible gap control and lazy backcheck since after Game 2.

The coaches are either not recognizing it or they are and the players aren't listening.

It's basic hockey, things that most players learn in peewee. Seriously, why does Peters have to tell these players anyways? MOST of us posters can see it.

This team and it's players are playing scared. It's not just Gaudreau, they all are playing scared.

I don't know what it is about this team but any time there is a super star player on the other team with electrifying speed, they just get scared.

Thank god the Oilers didn't make it into that 8th speed, because McDavid would have done the same thing as Mackinnion has. If losing to the Avs is bad, can you imagine losing to the Oilers? That's my glass half full perspective.