Jiggy_12

lol, over at the Flames forum there is a ton of negativity too. Its just common nature to think the worst. The 1st round is the scariest one because you never know what team is going to come out to play.

Two things I like better about this years Flames compared to last year and 03/04...no key injuries, and lots of depth in case of injury. IF, and its a big IF, they make it past the 1st round...they are well set up for the war of attrition to come. Zyuzin or Giordano can step in on any given night and both have an impact on defense. Byron Ritchie can play just about any role you ask him to on forward. He'll remind you of the 18 clones we had on the 03/04 roster. Hard working little SOB. Shutting down Iggy? Wouldn't surprise me in the least...but the guy the Wings need to key on after that is Huselius.

Sure thing. My guess to start out would be if healthy: Tanguay-Conroy-Iginla Huselius-Langkow-Moss Amonte-Lombardi-Primeau Nilson-Yelle-Friesen Ritchie, McCarty, Godard. Hamrlik-Phaneuf Regehr-Stuart Warrener-Hale Zyuzin, Giordano, Regehr 2.0 The line that will bring the most immediate impact will be the 1b line, I just think they match up best against your team.

Okay..but in the same breath Jarome Iginla did miss 12 games.

I can't disagree. The way I see it, McCarty can't be any worse than Nilson. But there is the possibility Nilson turns into the player he was in 2004, if thats the case...no chance he sits.

Look for Mac to play if we're down in the series. Playfair, like Sutter, likes to send a message and mix things up when things aren't going great. If the Flames start losing, he'll draw in the lineup in place of Nilson or Godard.

Those of you saying that its not even close in the offense department, have you taken some time to look at how many goals each team scored this season? I know its shocking, but the Flames actually outscored the Red Wings.

Not saying much about the Flames if some of you think this is our "Biggest" advantage.

So it looks like its Calgary vs. Detroit part deux.... It should be a ton of fun. I loved posting on this board back in 2004 and hope to get the same good discussion this time around. There are bound to be some Calgary trolls on your board in the next few days, so please try your best to filter through the idiots as we arent all here to stir up trouble. Good luck in the series... :beerbuddy:

Absolutely, he can steal games. But you guys know better than anyone how much Kirprusoff can kill a team in a series. Back-to-back 1-0 wins in games 5 and 6 of the '04 playoffs...the guy was just sick.

Its close, really close. Hasek: 38-11-6, 2.05 GAA, .913 save %. Kipper: 40-24-9, 2.46 GAA, .917 save %. Pick your poison. I'd still take Kipper, but that may be bias creeping in.

Whoops, I actually meant that to be just 1. I'll edit that. We only scored 4 more goals than you all season, definitely a small margin.

On paper this series is so tight. Coaching - Detroit>>>>Calgary Goaltending - Detroit<Calgary Offense - Detroit<Calgary Defense - Detroit>Calgary Powerplay - Detroit<<Calgary Penalty Kill - Detroit>>Calgary Its going to come down to the intangibles. Who works harder, hits harder...and who gets the bounces.

The last 10 games have been his best hockey of the season.

I'll say Flames in game 7 overtime The Red Wing I'm most worried about is Zetterberg.

At the Flames skills competition this year, Huselius pulled off one of the nicest breakaway goals I've seen. Granted...it was a skills competition, and granted, Mclennan was in net. But check it out, at around the 1:45 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRlPx6izWM

What I mean is, if he wasn't going to play in the playoffs, why bring him back now for 1 meaningless game when he's been injured for almost 4 months. Why not just let him rest until next season? McCarty playing gave them the luxury of resting starters. Resting starters didn't force them to play McCarty.

He's been injured since boxing day, so its somewhat significant that he's playing a game now. If he wasn't going to play in the playoffs, they wouldnt be using him in this last game.

You guys will be interested to know that Darren McCarty IS in the lineup tonight for the Flames.

If the Flames can play defense, you guys are in for it. We've only played solid D for about a quarter of the games this year, and when we do its pretty much lights out for the opposition. A healthy Regehr will go a long way. Phaneuf and Hamrlik need to cutdown on the bonehead mistakes, and Brad Stuart needs to take less penalties. Up front, obviously Iginla should be a factor and his play or non-play could determine the series. But watch out for Huselius. If you've only watched a few Flames games this year, you havent really gotten the chance to appreciate what the guy can do. Prepare for your jaw to drop to the floor when he carries the puck around. I am boldly predicting Kristian Huselius to be our MVP for the playoffs.

Thanks for the welcome. You guys have a great board here and I'll do my part to keep the integrity level up.

Wow, Flames just lost to the worst team in NHL history. You guys must be champing at the bit.

As a Flames fan, I'm happy we get to play you guys. Not because I think it'll be easy, but because it should be damn good hockey not decided by officiating. Nothing better than getting to face an original 6 team IMO. Plus, getting a chance to boo Todd Bertuzzi in the playoffs is something special.

He's lost a step, but the minutes he played this year he played hurt. I'd rather have him on the ice than Marcus Nilson. Well...maybe its a tie.

News around Calgary is he should be ready come playoffs. My guess is he will dress in tomorrow's game vs. Colorado.