The Calgary Flames have a strong possibility of playing against the number one seed in the Western Conference. That happens to be the Chicago Blackhawks. How will they fare against this team?
The Chicago Blackhawks might not of won the Presidents Trophy this year, but they are certainly the top team in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs this season. The Calgary Flames are likely going to be the number one Wild Card in the upcoming playoffs, but the Flames could very well find themselves in the second Wild Card position as well. If the Flames find themselves in that second spot, they will play the Blackhawks. How will the Flames fare against the number one seed?
Offense: Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks boast one of the most potent top two lines in all of hockey. The Blackhawks have superstars in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews that have anchored their top two lines since the late 2000s. Artemi Panarin has teamed up with Kane these past two years to help create one of the most dynamic duo’s in hockey. Not to mention Toews, who has captained this team to three championships since 2010. Not even Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan can match this type of experience.
Only Connor McDavid has more points than Patrick Kane. And since the All-Star Break, Jonathan Toews has shown signs of improving his game as well.
The Chicago Blackhawks have the upper hand on the offensive side of the puck. Despite the Flames showing signs of skill at their forward position. When Kane and Toews are at their best, they are two of the best players in the entire world. They are a difficult matchup for anyone, especially the Flames. Give Chicago the upper hand in the offensive side of the puck.
Defense: Flames
Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton and T.J. Brodie help glue together what is one underrated defensive corp in the National Hockey League. Not even the Blackhawks can muster up that potent of a group themselves. While Duncan Keith is an outstanding defenseman and Niklas Hjalmarsson is a steady player in his own right, the bottom three in Chicago are not as skilled as Calgary’s bottom defenseman. Deryk Engelland is much better than those give him credit for. He plays a steady brand of hockey to coincide with the rough edge he offers too. Michael Stone complements TJ Brodie and is a better overall defenseman than Brent Seabrook to his defenseman partner.
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The Calgary Flames bring a stellar defensive group to the table, led by their captain and future star defenseman in Dougie Hamilton. While Duncan Keith might be the best defenseman overall between both teams, Calgary has better defensive players here.
Goaltending: Even
Brian Elliott hasn’t had the luxury of being on the teams that Corey Crawford has been on, where Crawford has two Stanley Cup wins. Crawford was an integral part in both of the Blackhawks championship runs in 2013 and 2015. Inconsistent play that has plagued Crawford throughout his career leaves the door open for Brian Elliott to steal a series like this. While the statistics might not show a weakness in Crawford’s game, his inability to elevate his team when they need it the most has been exposed a few times in the past. Two that come to mind are in 2014 and last postseason, which resulted in playoff series losses to both the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. Any idea who was the goaltender in St. Louis last season?
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Calgary’s current starting netminder, Brian Elliott was that guy in St. Louis last season. Brian Elliott showed last April that he was more than capable of elevating his above average team to defeat the defending Stanley Cup Champions at that time. Brian Elliott’s current state of his game is appearing very reminiscent of his game from last season, where he helped solidify his reputation of being a true number one goaltender in the National Hockey League.
While Elliott is playing much better than earlier in this season, Crawford’s experience in hit or miss track record makes this a tough coin flip to who has the upper hand in goaltending.
Prediction: Flames in seven
While this series can definitely go in the Blackhawks direction, the Flames ability to win away from the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames have won a game in Chicago this season, coming on Kris Versteeg’s shootout winner. Brian Elliott also earned his first victory as a Flame this night too. It is debatable to pinpoint the turning point of Elliott’s adjusting time in Calgary, but this game-breaking save at the final horn in the the win against the Hawks proved to be one of those signs that Brian Elliott was the proper fit in Calgary.
If Brian Elliott can continue to make saves such as this:
The Calgary Flames will most definitely have a fighting chance over the Central Division Champions. Brian Elliott might have ditched the all-red look, but he is finding his niche right in time for a potential deep playoff run. If Brian Elliott elevates his game, along with Johnny Gaudreau, the Flames can find themselves in great shape here.
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While the task can be difficult, the Flames could beat the Blackhawks in a long and grueling seven game series.