[GDT] 2020 WC Play-In Round: Calgary Flames (8) vs. Winnipeg Jets (9) Flames 2-1

[Manhattanboy]

Where do I get tickets?

[Sylvanfan]

Normally I would be scared of a Jet's team who would be extremely motivated by the reward that if they keep winning, they get to stay away from Winnipeg. But since none of them have been there for months and won't have to go back if they do lose...less risky.

Should be fun, Gio scores the series clincher in overtime in game 3.

[Dajazz]

Hockey’s BAAAAAAACK!

What’s the flames’ record vs Winniphlegm?

Found it, 5-3-2, out scoring 29-18.

Also, no Buff. Helleybuck is a head stander. Laine, doesn’t appear to be a big game scorer.

Good matchup!

[Strange Brew]

So how long a leash do you give your starting goalie in this set up? It is truly like a new season. And potentially a very very short one.

I guess Rittich is the guy but what if Talbot looks sharper in practice leading up to game 1?

Same could be said for the bottom of the roster position players too.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

So how long a leash do you give your starting goalie in this set up? It is truly like a new season. And potentially a very very short one.

I guess Rittich is the guy but what if Talbot looks sharper in practice leading up to game 1?

Same could be said for the bottom of the roster position players too.

Practice?



Practice?

Starting net goes to Rittich in game 1 no matter what in my eyes. Dude has a contract for next season and is a developing goalie - you start with him in my eyes.

...not saying Talbot won't take over at some point, but Rittich is where we start I'd say.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Mangiapane - Backlund - Tkachuk
Lucic - Ryan - Bennett
Dude - Jankowski - Rinaldo
Extras: Rieder, Phillips, Gawdin, Quine, Robinson, Czarnik

Giordano - Brodie
Hanifin - Andersson
Gustafsson - Hamonic
Extras: Forbort, Kylington, Stone, Yelesin, Valimaki (please don't play him)

Rittich
Talbot

This will be a hyper-competitive 5 game series. Winnipeg's defensive depth is not strong.

Why isn't Dude on the top line? Talk about underutilizing the Dude.

[azzarish]

This is going to be mad. Whoever starts off better will likely win IMO.

But no actual hockey played before this starts in about 4 months.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Where do I get tickets?

Probably have to win at some form of NHL fan hunger games to qualify.

[MrMike]

I just realized, isn’t this exactly what we wanted? The Flames and Rittich play so much better away from the dome this season.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by MrMike

I just realized, isn’t this exactly what we wanted? The Flames and Rittich play so much better away from the home this season.

Yeah this is the only situation where I'll welcome back the 19-20 Flames with open arms.

They were actually playoff caliber from the net out most nights on the road.

If we were coming back for a normal format of playoffs I'd be praying for a pretty different version of the team than the one we left off with.

[dino7c]

Flames were a top 10 team since November...and the best road team

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by dino7c

and the best road team

Yup.. this is why we're actually not so delusional for feeling good about an all-away tourney with this team.

They were top 10 almost solely because of their road play.

Even the face punchers played their best puck game on the road in the latter half. Carried the offense in certain games.

Backlund was eating his matchups alive out there.

The trick is if they can come back and continue that...

And tbh I wouldn't mind if Monahan came back as the Monahan of old.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

Hockey’s BAAAAAAACK!

What’s the flames’ record vs Winniphlegm?

Found it, 5-3-2, out scoring 29-18.

Also, no Buff. Helleybuck is a head stander. Laine, doesn’t appear to be a big game scorer.

Good matchup!

but I've been training hard!

[jessnuts]

I think there could be a lot of upsets in the first games of the second round. We often talk about the possible disadvantage of making the playoffs early and coasting through the end of the season vs. playing meaningful hockey right to game 82. What is it going to look like when a team hasn’t played a single nhl game in months and faces a team who just had a shortened playoff battle to get their legs and hearts into it.

[AC]

Originally Posted by jessnuts

I think there could be a lot of upsets in the first games of the second round. We often talk about the possible disadvantage of making the playoffs early and coasting through the end of the season vs. playing meaningful hockey right to game 82. What is it going to look like when a team hasn’t played a single nhl game in months and faces a team who just had a shortened playoff battle to get their legs and hearts into it.

It's why the top 4 teams with a bye will be playing a mini round robin themselves. Sounds like potentially to determine their seeding?

Pros and cons to that as well, but at least they won't be completely rusty.

[jessnuts]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Why isn't Dude on the top line? Talk about underutilizing the Dude.

You don’t want him with the big jankowski?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

With no scrums, no fights, I am curious about what playoff hockey even looks like.

This leaves the game to be full policed by the refs, which has always been problematic. Does that mean it'll be easier to basically make gaudreau and monahan non-factors after playing them extra physical, which often makes them both disappear?

Or are teams left playing more by the book, in which high end skill is the true differentiator, making gaudreau a possible playoff game breaker??

It feels like just really poor timing to have brought in lucic. With no scrums of fighting, it feels like it speaks to the flames lack of actual forward talent depth if he's a guaranteed spot of the 12 forwards.

I am not sure what you are talking about here. Did the league pass a no scrums, no fighting rule I am unaware of?

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Well, this is ####ing stupid, but... yay hockey I guess?

My concern here is that while their blue line is hot garbage, the Jets clearly have the better goalie, and more high-end goal scorers in their lineup. I don't love the matchup, in other words. But it seems likely that it'll be a 5 game series in any event so it's not like I'd be surprised with either result.

Yay hockey! BOO format.

What would you have done and how would you have implemented it?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

What would you have done and how would you have implemented it?

Given the Flames the easiest matchup... duh.

[topfiverecords]

This is going to be the longest game day ever.