Picture of Brian, Josh and Trevor in the office on gameday!

In less than 24 hours your Calgary Flames will be going toe to toe with arguably the hottest team in the NHL for the past two months.

The San Jose Sharks are a younger, less experienced team than Calgary. They are currently on a 2 game losing streak, have lost the season series to Calgary and have been dumped by the Flames the last time they met in the playoffs. If this doesn’t make for an exciting, unpredictable series then I’m not sure what else you can say. All things being equal, there is less pressure on the Flames than the Sharks and as such, Joe Thornton have a lot to prove tomorrow night.

What about the Flames?

Let’s see - they have a fairly healthy lineup. Dion Phaneuf is looking to redeem himself after playing through last year’s playoff on a BROKEN FOOT and not dominating …. shame!!!!!!!!!!! Kipper looks to be back in form. Iginla has battled all season to carry his team into the playoffs and like the titan Atlas himself, Iggy can bear the weight of the world on his shoulder and inspire his teammates to elevate their game. We have a veteran team that knows what playoff pressure is like and can help the youngsters through the grind. All in all, the Flames can play loose and look to unseat the favored Sharks. San Jose has to live up to the regular season success, however as the last game against Dallas showed it is easy to get under their skin and make them lose their composure.

GO FLAMES!

Defined: exclamation. God be praised (uttered in worship or as an expression of rejoicing)

Application: TSN reporting that Mick McGeough will not be among those officiating in this year’s playoffs after announcing his retirement earlier this season.

There’s a pretty good list of officials there, including Devorski, McCreary, Van Massenhoven, and Marouelli, all of whom I feel are generally very fair and consistent.

Aside from McGeough, there’s only one referee who I dread: Kerry Fraser. Being a veteran NHL official he will be calling games in the 2008 playoffs. I can only hope the number of these games that include the Flames is minimal. Either way, he’s probably easier to deal with than McGeough. With Fraser you just anticipate that he’ll tend to call an unbalanced game against the Flames. McGeough is impartial, but you never know what he’s going to call either way.

Farewell Mick and enjoy your retirement. I know I will.

First of all props to Joshua for his initial post. I mimicked his post. Why not check out his predictions.

Western Conference

Detroit is a powerhouse in the NHL, and with the exception of a few weeks this season (while several of their key players were injured), they have dominated most teams. Although the Predators have played reasonably well against the Red Wings this year, I don’t think they can match their veteran filled lineup. A healthy Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Rafalski, and Holmstrom will be too much for Nashville.

Trevor’s Pick: DETROIT IN SIX

San Jose has been the NHL’s hottest team over the past month or two and the Flames, unfortunately, drew the short stick and will face-off against them in the first round. The pick up of Brian Campbell has been key in my opinion. He creates a serious offensive threat on the blue line and is the quarterback of their power play. The Flames meanwhile, skidded into the playoffs with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. The only good news is they pulled off a (meaningless) 7-1 victory over the Canucks in their last game and will enter the series on a winning note. The Flames will need to play an extremely physical game with an aggressive fore-check if they want to be able to steal this series. Kipper will need to be stellar, and the Flames will need consistent scoring from their top 2-3 lines.

Trevor’s Pick: CALGARY IN SEVEN (I’m a homer, not a realist)

With only 3 points separating these teams in the standings, they are quite evenly matched, but I think that Colorado has the upper hand in this one. They started the season with very average play and have steadily improved down the stretch. The recent addition of Forsberg creates an ever greater offensive threat to an already talented lineup. Theodore has been spectacular for the Avalanche this year and I suspect his game-play will only improve once he’s in playoff mode.

Trevor’s pick: COLORADO IN SIX

I do not envy the Dallas Stars. Anaheim has such a deep lineup, they put most teams to shame. Dallas does not have enough offensive fire-power to break through the best defense in the league. The only way that Dallas would stand a chance is if Turco can stand on his head and perform a miracle. Even with recently acquired Brad Richards in the Dallas line, the Stars just can’t compare with the Ducks. This will be a quick series.

Trevor’s Pick: ANAHEIM SWEEPS

Eastern Conference

I had the amazing opportunity earlier this season to attend a Montreal VS. Boston game in Boston where the Canadiens were victorious in a 2-1 game. The intense rivalry between these two teams is one of the greatest in the NHL and I must say, I was a bit nervous wearing a Habs Jersey around Boston. Montreal has dominated Boston this year and I don’t see anything changing in the near future. Montreal is on a roll and this should be an easy (yet interesting) series for the Canadiens.

Trevor’s Pick: MONTREAL IN FIVE

I am going against the grain on this pick. I think the older, more experienced players will pull through for the Sens and they will eliminate the Penguins. At the beginning of the season, Ottawa was amazing and I had them pegged early as early winners of the Presidents Trophy - but over the past few months we have witnessed the team implode and narrowly make the dance. However, the playoffs are always a different story and I think that the intensity and urgency will be different for the Senators and they will be able to beat the highly-touted Penguins.

Trevor’s Pick: OTTAWA IN SIX

Alexander Ovechkin is the best pure goal scorer in the league today and his late season heroics has carried his team into the playoffs. The Caps are one of the Hottest teams in the East to finish the season and Ovechkin has this team charged up and ready to play playoff hockey. The regular season series between these two teams (2 wins and 2 losses each) is misleading and Washington should come out of this series victorious.

Trevor’s Pick: WASHINGTON IN SIX

This series is tough for me to predict and either team could end up winning. However, Martin Brodeur is a proven all-star and always shows up to play during the playoffs. He has the ability to steal the show and I think that he will eventually shut the door on the Rangers - although it won’t be an easy task. The New York Rangers always posess a threat offensively and my prediction could be wrong if Jagr, Drury, and Gomez all decide to show up.

Trevor’s Pick: NEW JERSEY IN SEVEN

Here we go, it’s playoff time! The time of the year when televisions in homes across the world are illuminated for hours each day with the exciting sport that is Hockey. Sports bars everywhere are filled with crazed hockey fans, cheering on their team and jeering the rival fans. And I go into hiding each night in front of my Television, remote in hand, flipping giddily between games.

This year, the Flames have the daunting task of taking on the San Jose Sharks, who have been outstanding lately with only three regulation losses in their last 23 games. The addition of Defenseman Brian Campbell at the trade deadline seems to have heightened the skill level the already extremely talented San Jose Sharks turning them into the hottest team down the stretch.

Although the Flames have a winning record this year against the Sharks (3-1), they are definitely the underdogs going into this series. The Flames slid butt-first into 7th place in the Western Conference (thanks Oilers!) and are really going to need to pick up their game play this first series if they want to move on. What do the Flames need to do if they want to win this series? (1) The Defense will need to be stellar and (2) the forecheck will need to be intense. (3) They will need at least their top 2 lines (3 would be nice) contributing to the scoresheet on a nightly basis and (4) they need to out-play the Sharks physically.

Go Flames Go!

Western Conference

An upset isn’t out of the question in this series. Nashville has shown this year that they can compete with the big boys. As the season has progressed Detroit has looked increasingly vulnerable as well. The Wings could be prime for an upset, but I think their vetran experience will be enough to earn the win in this round. I doubt they’ll have enough left in the tank to go beyond the next round though.

Joshua’s Pick: DETROIT IN SEVEN

Ouch. I was really hoping for a Minnesota regulation win on Sunday to prevent this match-up. Calgary has been inconsistent all year, so it’s tough to tell what team is going to show up for the playoffs. San Jose, meanwhile, has closed out the season on a tear. Eighteen wins in their final 21 games is evidence that this team means business. I think Calgary will bring a strong game, but at the same time, I think San Jose is too hot to be stopped by the likes of the Flames right now.

Joshua’s Pick: SAN JOSE IN SIX (but I’d like to be wrong)

This one could go either way. These teams weren’t separated by very much this season. I like Colorado on a resurgent performance from Jose Theodore. Minnesota has pretty good fire power, but then so does Colorado. I think this will be an entertaining series to watch with plenty of scoring.

Joshua’s pick: COLORADO IN SEVEN

It looked like life was going to be sweet for Dallas in the Brad Richards era, but it turns out he’s becoming a bit of a flop.  Unless Richards plays like he did in 2004, I don’t see the Stars going very far against a very deeply talented Ducks team. Mike Ribiero can’t carry this team very far in the playoffs. There’s a reason Anaheim won the Cup last year, and Dallas is about to find that out.

Joshua’s Pick: ANAHEIM IN FIVE

Eastern Conference

I love this series already. Yes, I will now disclose my allegiance to Les Canadiens. In September I proclaimed that “this will be a tough year to be a Canadiens fan”. Wow, was I ever wrong! Much like last year, the Habs were dominant on the powerplay, but Alex Kovalev has been a totally new man this season. Montreal has capitalized on Ottawa’s downfall to win the Northeast division, and ultimately the conference. If I recall correctly, no two teams have ever met each other more times in the playoffs of any professional sport, and that includes some recent Montreal upsets in recent years, along with some bad blood (recall McLaren’s elbow on Zednik). Add that to Montreal’s 8-0 record against Boston this year, and this series has some real intrigue. I’m a little concerned about injuries to Komiserik and Koivu, but am still going to let my bias show and pick Montreal to go 12-0 against the Bruins this season. Price and Kovalev to dominate the B’s.

Joshua’s Pick: MONTREAL IN FOUR

Two teams moving in opposite directions makes this an easy series to pick. Ottawa has been awful down the stretch, and the loss of their captain makes a bad situation worse. Pittsburgh is relatively healthy, incredibly skilled, and cruising right now. I’m going to give Ottawa a single win here based on the skill they’ve got on their roster, but I almost feel like I’m being generous.

Joshua’s Pick: PITTSBURGH IN FIVE

Daniel Briere was a nice acquisition for a team that really turned the corner this year. But he’s no Alexnder Ovechkin. The Caps’ turn-around this year has been amazing to watch, and I dare say anyone who doesn’t support Carolina has probably enjoyed watching Washington over the second half of this season. Ovechkin plays with a whole lot of passion, and I think that’s what’s driving this team right now.  That can be hard to stop.

Joshua’s Pick: WASHINGTON IN FIVE

Sutter coaching and Brodeur goaltending will beat Ranger star-power. These guys aren’t far apart though, and several games will probably go to overtime.

Joshua’s Pick: NEW JERSEY IN SEVEN

Disagree? Let’s hear it in the comments.

Once again, here are my quick hits from last night’s game.

• Quote from Roberto Luongo: “I don’t really care … My season ended (with the Edmonton loss) Thursday as far as I’m concerned.” That attitude would really irritate me if I was a Canuck fan. Or if I was Trevor Linden.
• I know it was a nothing game for Vancouver, but a 7-1 win is still pretty sweet.
• I kind of feel bad for Nystrom. 2 goals and an assist and he has to take a backseat to both Linden and Iginla.
• Glad Iginla potted #50.
• If I lived in Vancouver, I’d probably want to get on to golf season earlier, too.
• Very classy showing of the Flames to stay on the ice after the game to congratulate Linden.
• On that note, congratulations to Trevor Linden on an outstanding career. I liked him a lot better in a Canadiens uniform, but still respected him in a Canucks uniform. I hate it when classy guys like that play for my rivals, because it’s just so hard to dislike him.
• Have I mentioned lately that the Oilers suck? Thanks for Thursday night, though. We’ll send you some golf passes!
• I know we had pretty good success against San Jose this season, but the still scare me with the run they’ve been on lately. I would’ve preferred playing Minnesota in the first round.
• Nystrom, Boyd, and Moss should get some more ice time in the playoffs.

It’s go time now, boys. Time for the stars to step up and make us a contender. Let’s fire up the playoff pools, boys!

Good: The Flames win.

Better: The Flames win against the Oilers

Best: The Flames win against the Oilers to eliminate them from playoff contention

Okay, i’ve already got my consolation prize.

Tonight’s victory against the dastardly Oilers reignited my hatred for those blue shirted devils. Okay. Maybe it was their beer swilling tube jockeys that punctuated a predominantly Flames crowd tonight at the Zoo. Playoff hockey began for the Calgary Flames last week and by my count we are still down 2 games to 1. This was a character win for the Flames who had their hands full with an energetic Oiler crew. Make no mistake about it, the Oilers would be in the playoffs if they did not lose 3 to 4 of their veteran players for the season. They will be a better team next year. For now, i’ll savor in our victory and cross that other bridge when we get to it.

Mikka Kiprusoff responded as usual with a sparkling performance after a lackluster performance in the last game against Vancouver. Matthew Lombardi is contributing more to our offense as the playoffs looms (always a good time to get hot). The ‘cagey’ vets have elevated their game as well; Owen Nolan came up big when the team needed him the most. We played a disciplined game tonight, limiting our time spent in the box and capitalizing on the PP as well. These are all metrics for success for the Calgary Flames.

Go Flames

Here are my quick hits as I watch tonight’s game:

• Jarome Iginla is sure passing the puck a lot for a guy trying to net his 50th of the season
• According to my stomach, this one felt like a playoff game
• Oilers suck as much as ever
• Commentators are saying “can’t clear it” way too often
• I know Iggy’s our leading scorer, emotional leader and all that, but can we give Nolan the team MVP for bouncing the Oilers?
• Why is SportsNet telling me that I’m watching ‘Oilers Hockey’ … I’m watching FLAMES hockey!
• I know I wasn’t supposed to be cheering for Nashville tonight, but it’s worth it for the consequences to Edmonton
• SportsNet is calling this a ‘heartbreaking ending’ … I call it a flattering ending. Any team winning as many games in OT/shootout as in regulation time doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
• Flames work isn’t done. Let’s get some wins in Minnesota and Vancouver to lock up that playoff position.
• I think I’ll be able to bring myself to cheer for the Oilers against the Canucks this week. If they’re going to be spoilers, they might as well do it in Vancouver.
• Oilers suck

Thank you, good night.