Calgary Flames Will Play the Anaheim Ducks in the First Round

The final matchups are set! The Calgary Flames will be facing the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2016-2017 post-season. Start biting your nails, everyone.

With the Anaheim Ducks winning tonight, we’ll be seeing a Ducks and Calgary Flames matchup in the first round. Boy, this will be a fun series. I mean, I remember the last time these two teams played not even a week ago. Hm… that was an intense game, right?

Well, there was 96 PIM in the third period alone. That was something. There was also a total of 65 hits. 65 HITS. HOW!? Anyways, moving on.

Of course, Flames fans were definitely hoping for a Flames vs Edmonton Oilers first round series seeing how there hasn’t been one since 1991. But, the Flames would have to settle for the Ducks.

Of course, there’s another reason the Flames were hoping for the Oilers and not the Ducks. Stupid Honda Center curse. However, the playoffs are a completely different feel. And hey, we’ll get to see Kevin Bieksa and Micheal Ferland go at it again, just like in the 2015 playoffs. Even former Flame, Robyn Regehr, says that the playoffs are an entirely different animal and you can throw spreadsheets and tendencies out the window.

We actually did a potential playoff scenario facing the Ducks here. Well, I guess it’s not just a ‘potential scenario’ anymore. And even some Flames alums are thrilled about this matchup.

Calgary Flames

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"“Personally,” says the rollickingly-robust retired defenceman, Robyn Regehr, looking ahead to Round 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup playdowns, “I love the match-up with Anaheim.“First of all, I don’t like Anaheim.“Second, I think it’ll be good for the Flames to have to face the beast right in Anaheim. It’ll bring out the best in them.”"

I’m with you on that one, Regehr. I don’t like Anaheim either.

"“All the pressure,” reasons No. 9, Lanny McDonald, “will be on Anaheim anyway.“If you ever went in there and snapped ’em in that first game? Think of the pressure they’d be under then. Then they’d be the ones answering questions.“So I don’t mind the match-up at all. I know everybody would’ve been thrilled to see a Calgary-Edmonton series.“I guess we can save that for Round 2.”"

No Lanny, we won’t be saving that for round 2. Don’t you know the Oilers won’t make it that far?

(Jokes, Oilers fans. Please don’t hate me).

I think everyone except Flames Twitter is excited for this matchup. Everyone was rooting for the LA Kings tonight to beat the Ducks. Thanks a lot, Kings. The ONE thing we needed from you.

It’s ok, like the alums have been saying, this will be a fun series. The last few games have been intense between these two teams, and I can’t wait to see how playoffs will turn out.

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"“As a series,” says Regehr enthusiastically, “it has a lot of things in play.“You have the Flames inability to win in their building. Divisional rival. Bad blood. All the stuff that went on the last game in here and then back there.“It’s intense anyway. Playoffs only amplifies intensity.“Don’t sell the Flames short.“I don’t just think it’ll be a good series. I think it’ll be a great series.”"

Twitter Reacts

Of course, we can’t have a Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks matchup without some reactions from Twitter first.

Next: Flames Future Goaltending Looks Promising

Everyone start placing your bets! But like Robyn Regehr said, let’s just not sell the Flames short.