As the regular season has come to an end, Last Word On Sports analyzes every playoff series heading into this week’s action. In the first installment, we take a look at the matchups in five categories: Offense, defense, goaltending, coaching and special teams. We also run down the players to look out for and give our final assessment on how the series will pan out. In the second portion, we will analyze what went down in the series, how the matchups led to the outcome and cover all important storylines.
With a win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 6 of their Western Conference quarter-final series, the Calgary Flames have punched their ticket to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After an extremely hard-fought series with plenty of bad blood, Calgary emerged as the only Western Canadian team still standing. Here is Last Word On Sports’ series recap of Canucks versus Flames.
The Series: Canucks Versus Flames
Game 1: The series opened in Vancouver, with many Flames playing in their first career postseason game. The difference in experience was apparent early, as the Canucks took a 1-0 lead into the third period. However, one thing the Flames aren’t lacking experience in is playing from behind. As they did so many times this season, Calgary evened the score with a David Jones goal 7:59 in, and then took the win with just 29 seconds left in the game, with Kris Russell‘s goal from the blueline past a screened Eddie Lack. Both goalies turned in huge performances in Game 1, with Calgary’s Jonas Hiller stopping 29 of 30 shots, and Vancouver’s Lack turning away 28 of 30. Hiller gave his team the opportunity to come back, and the Flames rewarded him with a Game 1 victory.
Game 2: In the second game of the series, the Canucks seemed to learn from their mistakes from the series opener, and built on an early lead rather than easing up the pressure. Chris Higgins scored the winning goal on a first period powerplay, and the Canucks continued to add to their lead in the third period, securing the win. Just like in the first game though, it quickly became clear that this would not be a friendly series. The game was full of huge hits and post-whistle scrums, with tensions bubbling over at the end. With the winner already decided, Vancouver being up 4-1, a full-line brawl broke out with eight misconducts being handed out. The rivalry was alive and well.
Game 3: In the first playoff game in Calgary since 2009, the teams were greeted with an overwhelming “C of Red” in the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames were quite clearly spurred on by the crowd, as they started strong and remained in control, en route to a 4-2 victory. Rookie Sam Bennett‘s first NHL goal(the second-youngest playoff goal scorer in Flames history – behind Jarome Iginla) served as the winner. The series continued to be fuelled by hatred, with several fights and some very physical play. Calgary’s Michael Ferland was a heat-seeking missile all night, hitting everything that moved. This would not be the last time his name would be mentioned.
Game 4: The Flames took a commanding lead in the series by winning the pivotal Game 4, 3-1. Three goals in the first period from Calgary prompted Canucks coach Willie Desjardins to pull Eddie Lack in favor of Ryan Miller, who started the rest of the series. Jiri Hudler had a two-point night, as Calgary had big contributions from their first line to win this game, which was effectively put to bed after 20 minutes. The Canucks were without forward Alex Burrows, who was stretchered off the ice after Vancouver’s morning skate. It was later discovered he had suffered a broken rib in practice. Many Canucks fans were upset at Desjardins’ lineup decisions, as he neglected to dress rookie call-up (and former Flame) Sven Baertschi, instead putting waiver claim Brandon McMillan with the Sedin twins on the top line.
Game 5: Going into Game 5 in Vancouver, the Canucks knew they would need a strong defensive performance to shut down Calgary’s stars and stay alive. They got that, holding the Flames to just 21 shots and 1 goal, although the goal came early in the game. It forced the Canucks to play from behind well into the second period, with Hiller nearly spoiling their night. Vancouver managed to squeeze two goals past him however, with Nick Bonino tying the game with 6:29 left in the second and Daniel Sedin scoring the go-ahead goal 1:47 into the third. It would hold up as the Canucks sent the series back to Calgary with slightly more hope than they had at the start of Game 5.
Game 6: Looking to avoid going back to BC for Game 6, the Flames needed a huge performance to wrap up the series at home. From the get-go, it looked like their fans were getting anything but that. 10 minutes in, the Canucks had chased Jonas Hiller from the net and led 3-0. However, in typical Flames fashion, the game was tied at 3 by 5:35 of the second period, thanks to goals from Michael Ferland, Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. Vancouver took the lead again, however, with Luca Sbisa making it 4-3 with a seeing-eye wrister past goaltender Karri Ramo. The lead would hold until the intermission. But, never to be counted out, the Flames dominated the third period. Jiri Hudler tied the game on the powerplay, and former Maple Leaf Matt Stajan gave his team their first lead of the game with 4:17 left, a lead that wouldn’t be relinquished. Ultimately the Flames took the highest-scoring game of the series, 7-4 after a couple of empty netters. Hudler had a 4-point night, and Ferland had 7 hits in a game that was a fitting end to the series.
Storylines of the Series
The Find-a-Way Flames
As mentioned already, the Flames developed a reputation in the regular season for third period comebacks. They’d won 10 games when trailing after 40 minutes, and led the league in third period goals with 99. Continuing with their penchant for the dramatic, the Flames overcame deficits multiple times over the series.
Hated Rivals
It didn’t take long for these two teams to have their emotions boil over. In fact, game two saw a surplus of ugliness, stemming from a scrum started in the front of the Vancouver goal. Michael Ferland was buzzing around and soon after the scrum ensued, an entire line brawl broke out. Matt Stajan and Brad Richardson exchanged blows, even when both were down on the ice, and Deryk Engelland also got into two confrontations with Derek Dorsett and Dan Hamhuis. Coach Bob Hartley was fined $50,000 for the incident and the battle set the tone for the next four games, showcasing more shenanigans after the whistle and a large amount of physicality.
First Line Gets it Done
The success of a team relies on two significant aspects when it comes to winning games in the postseason; outstanding goaltending and top-6 scoring. If the team has both, they’re money but if they have just one of those things, the team better have one of the best. That team was Calgary. Their top line of Jiri Hudler, Johnny “Hockey” Gaudreau and Sean Monahan was just that- The best. Monahan and Gaudreau both scored in the second period of game 6 to tie it up at 3 and then a pair of Hudler goals in the third period sealed the Canucks’ fate. The line was destructive all series long, as Hudler (3 goals, 3 assists) and Johnny Gaudreau (2 goals, 4 assists) both finished with 6 points, while youngster Monahan put up 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists). A combined total of 17 points in just 6 games reflected the dominance of the line all series long.
Miller/Lack Hot and Cold
Eddie Lack started things off in the series and after two good games and a tied series, it appeared as though Lack was ready for post-season success. Allowing three goals in the first two games, he was poised to take control of the series until game three happened. Allowing 4 goals on 28 shots, the Canucks gave Calgary a 2-1 series lead on an average outing from Lack. Still, Desjardins trusted his goaltender and unfortunately it backfired on him. Allowing 4 goals on 17 shots, Lack received the cane and Miller got the nod. Stopping all 15 shots albeit the loss, Miller was given game 5 and put up his best efforts in a winning cause to keep the series alive and sent it back to Red Mile for game 6. Hoping for a repeat performance, the Canucks watched the top line of the Flames pump Miller for 5 goals on 31 shots and add fuel to the fire by scoring two empty net goals, one by Ferland (his second goal of the night). While it’s hard to pin point the loss solely on the goaltending, especially with the defense allowing the top line to have too much room to play with, the goaltending had it’s up-and-down moments of being able to stop almost everything and giving up a softie that turned out to be the backbreaker.
Series Predictions From Our Hockey Department:
Markus Meyer: Canucks in 7 (0 of 2 correct)
Tyler Shea: Flames in 5 (1 of 2 correct)
Ben Kerr: Flames in 7 (1 of 2 correct)
David Stevenson: Flames in 7 (1 of 2 correct)
Dave Gove: Canucks in 6 (0 of 2 correct)
Brandon Altomonte: Flames in 7 (1 of 2 correct)
Shawn Wilken: Canucks in 6 (0 of 2 correct)
Griffin Schroeder: Canucks in 7 (0 of 2 correct)
Ken Hill: Canucks in 7 (0 of 2 correct)
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