Todd Cordell: Flames 4, Avalanche 0: Five observations from an impressive opening win

Great way to start the series - Johnny got real lucky last night when Zadorov stuck out the knee... Bennett going right at Rantanen afterwards hopefully serves as a bit of a reminder to the Avs that you don't try to cheap shot Johnny.

Smith was unbelievably good last night, and his confidence right should be/is sky high.

Hell, should be giving tons of props to Chucky for the 140 foot snipe too - confident shot and absolutely took everything out of the Avs at that point.

Landeskog's little slash at the end of the game is gonna cost McKinnon a bruise or two, and he should be thankful Tkachuk took it easy on Grubauer (btw, loved that Colorado burned their challenge on Chucky's first goal - looked like the Avs scored late (couldn't hear anything in the bar as far as commentary), but no challenge left to try to sort that one out. Beauty.

I'm gonna need more beer for tomorrow night, I have a feeling it's going to be a wicked and nasty game...

The Smitty chants should make Eric Francis happy ! Smith definitely fed off the energy of playoff hockey which is very encouraging. So did, Chucky, who got more expensive last night. I love how he drags his line mates into the emotion. I thought it took half the game to get going but they dominated in the second half. And there's no way McKinnon's line can play that many minutes in a long playoffs.

Great way to start the series - Johnny got real lucky last night when Zadorov stuck out the knee... Bennett going right at Rantanen afterwards hopefully serves as a bit of a reminder to the Avs that you don't try to cheap shot Johnny.

Smith was unbelievably good last night, and his confidence right should be/is sky high.

Hell, should be giving tons of props to Chucky for the 140 foot snipe too - confident shot and absolutely took everything out of the Avs at that point.

Landeskog's little slash at the end of the game is gonna cost McKinnon a bruise or two, and he should be thankful Tkachuk took it easy on Grubauer (btw, loved that Colorado burned their challenge on Chucky's first goal - looked like the Avs scored late (couldn't hear anything in the bar as far as commentary), but no challenge left to try to sort that one out. Beauty.

I'm gonna need more beer for tomorrow night, I have a feeling it's going to be a wicked and nasty game...
- rmull905

lol everything you mentioned above is just good playoff hockey man. The Zadorov "knee", Landeskog's "slash", Tkachuck's antics vs Grubauer, its all what makes the game so great. Atmosphere was rocking, hits were flying, that was a hell of a game to watch.

A real "team effort" there-- Almost everyone answered the bell.
Only Jankowski and Monahan were unnoticeable, although the former didn't get much ice time other than PK, and the latter did win some important faceoffs.
I loved seeing Neal, Hathaway, and Bennett slamming bodies, and Chucky was fabulous.

More of the same, next game, please.

The Smitty chants should make Eric Francis happy ! Smith definitely fed off the energy of playoff hockey which is very encouraging. So did, Chucky, who got more expensive last night. I love how he drags his line mates into the emotion. I thought it took half the game to get going but they dominated in the second half. And there's no way McKinnon's line can play that many minutes in a long playoffs.
- tincup

considering the flames biggest question mark going into the post season was goaltending, that was a pretty big statement game by Smith. Again, it was one game, 3 more to be won, but he played incredible.

Zadorov stuck his "knee" out to try to keep the puck in the zone. Just so happens Johnny hockey was there too. The Flames are just as dirty. The series looks like it will get ugly.

Zadorov stuck his "knee" out to try to keep the puck in the zone. Just so happens Johnny hockey was there too. The Flames are just as dirty. The series looks like it will get ugly.
- HarvP

honestly, there wasn't a single thing I saw last night, from either team, that I would consider "dirty". Everything last night as just playoff hockey man.

honestly, there wasn't a single thing I saw last night, from either team, that I would consider "dirty". Everything last night as just playoff hockey man.
- Codes1087

I agree, but I think the physicality is going to ramp up even more especially with Tkachuk running his mouth constantly.

I agree, but I think the physicality is going to ramp up even more especially with Tkachuk running his mouth constantly.
- HarvP

i hope you guys kick the sh*t out of each other for 7 games. I hope every playoff series goes 7. Lots of great hockey going on right now.

Those Flames jerseys look awesome. Idk how they ever thought changing the flaming C to black was a good idea.

lol everything you mentioned above is just good playoff hockey man. The Zadorov "knee", Landeskog's "slash", Tkachuck's antics vs Grubauer, its all what makes the game so great. Atmosphere was rocking, hits were flying, that was a hell of a game to watch.
- Codes1087

Agreed, but don't "" those like they didn't happen - knee was out, Landeskog gave Lindholm a real good whack in an unprotected part of the leg.

It's fine, it is playoff hockey, and frankly, I LOVE it when there's a bit of hate between the teams. The Leafs game was one where I thought at least Marchand was gonna do something and I was pretty disappointed that didn't boil over even a little bit...

This series is gonna get physical, and we are going to start seeing scrums after every crease battle, which is going to be great. Chucky was real tame last night, but as this series goes along, he's going to the bane of the Avs existence...

Zadorov stuck his "knee" out to try to keep the puck in the zone. Just so happens Johnny hockey was there too. The Flames are just as dirty. The series looks like it will get ugly.
- HarvP

Sure he did

And Chucky will "accidentally" run over Grubauer at some point in the series... it's fine man, it's greasy hockey and both sides will play it

Sure he did

And Chucky will "accidentally" run over Grubauer at some point in the series... it's fine man, it's greasy hockey and both sides will play it
- rmull905

If you can't see that it was an attempt to keep the puck in then you are retarded. Is Chucky going to do his best Krieder impression and take out a goalie lol?

Agreed, but don't "" those like they didn't happen - knee was out, Landeskog gave Lindholm a real good whack in an unprotected part of the leg.

It's fine, it is playoff hockey, and frankly, I LOVE it when there's a bit of hate between the teams. The Leafs game was one where I thought at least Marchand was gonna do something and I was pretty disappointed that didn't boil over even a little bit...

This series is gonna get physical, and we are going to start seeing scrums after every crease battle, which is going to be great. Chucky was real tame last night, but as this series goes along, he's going to the bane of the Avs existence...
- rmull905

again, you could re-watch the entire 60 minutes and find every player on the ice doing something that may be deemed "dirty", but to me, that is just every player on the ice having their adrenaline going at 100 and fighting for every inch of ice. Referees have the hardest job when it comes to playoffs, because every call is crucial, and they generally let all of that stuff go, so its easier to see and complain about, especially when it doesn't get called. I loved what i saw last night. The SJ and VGK game was one of the chippiest I have seen in these playoffs so far.

again, you could re-watch the entire 60 minutes and find every player on the ice doing something that may be deemed "dirty", but to me, that is just every player on the ice having their adrenaline going at 100 and fighting for every inch of ice. Referees have the hardest job when it comes to playoffs, because every call is crucial, and they generally let all of that stuff go, so its easier to see and complain about, especially when it doesn't get called. I loved what i saw last night. The SJ and VGK game was one of the chippiest I have seen in these playoffs so far.
- Codes1087

Yeah, that Vegas series is gonna be something... no one is coming out of that one healthy

Yeah, that Vegas series is gonna be something... no one is coming out of that one healthy
- rmull905

I'm perfectly ok with that happening in that series.

Zadorov stuck his "knee" out to try to keep the puck in the zone. Just so happens Johnny hockey was there too. The Flames are just as dirty. The series looks like it will get ugly.
- HarvP

I didn’t really see anything dirty, just hard fought battles.

It’s contact sports in the playoffs man. If you don’t like it the go back to watching tennis and golf.

considering the flames biggest question mark going into the post season was goaltending, that was a pretty big statement game by Smith. Again, it was one game, 3 more to be won, but he played incredible.
- Codes1087

Heya Codes! Good to have you around on the blog for the Stanley Cup ride!

I agree, but I think the physicality is going to ramp up even more especially with Tkachuk running his mouth constantly.
- HarvP

Speaking of running their mouth, you seem to do a fine job at that.

Heya Codes! Good to have you around on the blog for the Stanley Cup ride!
- Flamin_Irishmin

haha its been a while since ive poked my head around here. Been super busy, new baby on the way, house just sold, doing reno's, you know how it is.

Great game last night though

If you can't see that it was an attempt to keep the puck in then you are retarded. Is Chucky going to do his best Krieder impression and take out a goalie lol?
- HarvP

Meh, he's already living rent free in the heads of Grubauer and the D, no need at this point.

haha its been a while since ive poked my head around here. Been super busy, new baby on the way, house just sold, doing reno's, you know how it is.

Great game last night though
- Codes1087

Oh poop dude, congratulations! Hopefully Mrs. Codes is doing good!

Are you renovating your new house?!

Oh poop dude, congratulations! Hopefully Mrs. Codes is doing good!

Are you renovating your new house?!
- Flamin_Irishmin

Mrs Codes is doing ok! i think the normal aches and pains and waves of nauseau that come with it all. And yep, new kitchen cabinets, floors, trying to make it open concept, etc. Fun times haha.

BTW - can the canucks pull a mulligan on Baertschi for Andersson?