Fearless Flames predictions: Our sports writers prognosticate
Our trio of writers covering the Calgary Flames give their predictions on how the team’s playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks will play out.
ERIC FRANCIS
Flames will win if... A steal in Anaheim Game 1 or 2 would put a newfound bounce in their steps, giving them home ice advantage and huge momentum. Flames will lose if... Brian Elliott isn’t heroic. He’s the key to everything in the playoffs, as every team’s goalie is. Flames best player will be... Mark Giordano — Pretty much always is their best player but we don’t always notice it. Ducks best player will be... Ryan Kesler — Might not put up the most points but will be in the thick of everything, driving Flames fans crazy. Flames villain will be... Matthew Tkachuk — Made great strides toward becoming one of the league’s premier pests this year and will build upon that. Ducks villain will be... Corey Perry — Nobody is better at the “accidental” collision or slash to a goaltender than Perry. Flames unsung hero will be... Sam Bennett — Expectations are low for the fourth liner but he certainly stood out two springs ago. Ducks unsung hero... Andrew Cogliano — the veteran second liner contributes in so many ways and could chip in with some big goals. Epic battle will be... Kevin Bikes and Micheal Ferland. Ferland single-handedly made a name for himself two years ago by envisioning a bull’s-eye on Bieksa every game. Honda Center curse will end in... Game 2 — It will put the Ducks back on their heels big time and set up a raucous return to the Dome for Monday. First fight we’d like to see... Matthew Tkachuk and Kevin Bieksa. Just wanna hear what Bieksa nicknames the rookie afterward. Stat that bodes well for Flames... Flames road record (21-16-4) was the fourth best in the west, thanks to a simplified approach necessary to make noise now. Stat that bodes well for Ducks... Duh — 27 straight wins at home against a Flames team. It’s the biggest impediment for the Flames to overcome. Series prediction... Ducks in 6.
WES GILBERTSON
Flames will win if ... Snapping their 27-game losing skid at Honda Center would be a great start, but they’ll need to triumph twice in enemy territory. Tall order. Flames will lose if ... They can’t control their emotions. Stick up for your teammates, yes, but they won’t win a blood-bath against bigger, badder Ducks. Flames best player will be ... Brian Elliott — Moose has been their top performer for two-plus months. Still not sure, though, that will be enough for an openinground upset. Ducks best player will be ... Corey Perry — Not his finest campaign but this series is trending toward nasty, and that’s right in Perry’s wheelhouse. Flames villain will be ... Mark Giordano — Calgary’s captain will be booed relentlessly in Anaheim, and he’s not going to back down. Has been waiting a decade for this. Ducks villain will be ... Ryan Kesler — The Saddledome supporters love to hate him. And that was even before he piled up nine points against Flames this season. Flames unsung hero will be ... Alex Chiasson — Just a hunch, the underappreciated winger will contribute a couple of timely tallies during this series. Ducks unsung hero will be ... Josh Manson — Last spotted scrapping with Giordano, Dave Manson’s boy is a tough customer but has talent, too. Epic battle will be ... Micheal Ferland vs. Ryan Kesler — Bieksa is yesterday’s news, Ferland will need to respond to every hack and whack against his star linemates. Honda Center curse will end in ... Game 2 First fight we’d like to see ... Deryk Engelland vs. Two Guys — You know, just for old time’s sake. Stat that bodes well for Flames ... The Ducks lost a dozen times at Honda Center this season. Yeah, that’s the best home record in the West, but it proves they’re not invincible. Stat that bodes well for Ducks ... Besides their decade-plus of dominance against Flames at Honda Center? They haven’t suffered a regulation loss in more than a month. Series prediction ... Ducks in six.
KRISTEN ODLAND
Flames will win if ... They conquer the obvious Splash Mountain-sized hurdle: winning in Anaheim. That, and staying composed when the Ducks drag them into their after-the-whistle battles. Flames will lose if ... They can’t stay out of the penalty box. Discipline and calmer heads will prevail in this series. Flames best player will be ... Brian Elliott — He has to be if the Flames have any shot at getting out of the first round. Ducks best player will be ... Rickard Rakell — Yes, the usual pests will be on display (Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry, Kevin Bieksa)… but the 23-year-old is having a career year and one of the most talented scorers heading into the series. Flames villain will be ... Matthew Tkachuk — And it won’t take long. Ducks villain will be ... Corey Perry — Brian Elliott will have a few choice words for the Ducks forward and his penchant for “accidental” run-ins with goalies. Flames unsung hero will be ... Michael Frolik — One of the most consistent players on the team’s roster all year and will probably be needed on special teams at some point. Ducks unsung hero will be ... Josh Manson — Ready for his second crack at the NHL post-season after playing only 4:44 and nine shifts of Game 1 of the Ducks’ firstround series versus Nashville. Epic battle will be ... Brian Elliott vs. John Gibson — While all the rough stuff is happening, either of these netminders could steal the series. Honda Center curse will end in ... Call me crazy …. Game 1. First fight we’d like to see ... Matthew Tkachuk vs. Anyone — Because you know the kid wants to. Stat that bodes well for Flames ... Eight goals. You know, the ones they scored at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Dec. 4 in an 8-3 win over Anaheim? Yes, that was their only victory against the Ducks this season. But they dominated that game and it’s a confidencebuilding experience in their back pocket. Stat that bodes well for Ducks ... 27 …. consecutive Flames losses at the Honda Center. Series prediction ... Ducks in five.