Tonight is game five of a possible seven game series between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks, and the Flames have the ability to knock out the Canucks with a big win as they hold a series lead of 3-1.
In speaking with the media throughout interviews over the last day or two, the Vancouver Canucks seem to feel confident with respect to their ability to “battle back…, as they’ve done many times this year.
For those who caught my first couple of blogs with respect to breaking down this series, I offered that the two teams were actually very comparable when it came to their head to head stats and further that it would likely be a very close series. I certainly did not expect the Flames to take a 3-1 lead over this Canucks group given their overall experience and some of the talent which they possess, but here we are!
Tonight, this young Flames team will certainly be (filled) with excitement and I can only hope that doesn’t lead to mental mistakes. Here’s the thing – the team is going back to Vancouver and they have the ability to knock out the 8th best team in the league, in just 5 games.
They are (certainly) aware that they have been underdogs the entire season but now, suddenly, they are favourites? Whether or not this changes their attitude on the ice and or structure is left to be seen, however with these guys you just can’t make educated predictions.
With that, I’ll offer as a prediction that the Flames get in the hole early in the game as they shake off some nerves, and battle back to tie the game. In terms of who gets the big W, my gut tells me Vancouver given the circumstances, but my heart says Calgary if only because when I was least sure about them, they’ve stepped up to the plate.
To generalize, a game like tonight where a team such as the Flames are up 3-1 heading back on the road, historical trends would offer a big fat loss tonight. But I suppose said trends would also offer that a team who finished where Calgary did just a year ago also wouldn’t be challenging for the 2nd round of the playoffs just 12 months later with no “significant… changes made to the roster.
So with that being established, I would not be the least bit surprised to see the Flames absolutely spank the Canucks tonight; though I would equally not be surprised to see them lose. What I’m getting at is that this team has been damn fun to watch this year as they have been a team that just keeps giving and keeps surprising.
What I’ve appreciated from this team so far has been their level headedness, if you will. Throughout the entire year they were told “You will eventually die, so just give up now…, to which they said “Is that right? Well we respectively disagree…. The vets and overall chemistry of this team has been that has not only offered cohesion on the ice, but they’ve all conveyed the same messages and goals off the ice as well.
“We’ve got to be confident, but not too confident,… said Hudler. “Obviously, they’ve got a great team. We’ve got to stay calm, have a good start.…
“I don’t know, I don’t think that far ahead,… said Hiller. “We’ve still got to win one game and, normally, the fourth one is the toughest one to win. We definitely want to do this as quick as possible. We’ll worry about winning the next one, then look ahead after that.…
Added Gaudreau: “It’s going to be a tough game in Vancouver. We’ve got to make sure we step up.…
Oh, and how about the Lady Byng Trophy finalist? Surely he’s very excited about the nomination and wants to acknowledge his individual accomplishments, right?
“It’s great,… offered Hudler. “Obviously, I’m honoured to be in the group like that. It’s an amazing feeling, but I’m not worried about it right now.…
“Well, you know what? Everyone’s just trying to do their part,… said Stajan. “The young guys have been unbelievable. I don’t think anybody cares who gets the credit at this time of year. We’re taking it upon ourselves to do a job. You look at the guy next to you – you don’t want to let him down.…
These guys are beauties, and I cannot wait to see how their fair against the Anaheim Ducks when they knock out the Vancouver Canucks. And as my blog offered from yesterday, I’ve moved away from the passive group who doesn’t believe in this group and continues to express uncertainties, to one who confides in their play and abilities.
Tonight’s game will be fast paced, dirty, and likely filled with emotion as one team looks to be potentially eliminated and another moving on to the 2nd round of the playoffs for the first time in many of their young careers.
Thanks for reading!