Are the Flames Legit?

[General Disarray]

After beating the top seed stanley cup contending Nashville Predators easily, the Flames are now FIRST place in the west, and just 7 points back of first overall with a game in hand. Only 3 teams have scored more goals than them. Are they legitimate cup contenders?

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[Heldig]

Yup. Clearly a top team in the league. A great D core and a great overall offense ( 5 ppg players is dang impressive). Biggest question is which Mike Smith you get?

 

[QcFlames12]

Dont jinx it please. A bit early for this reaction

 

[Snakepit]

Yes

 

[Brownbeard]

They're the Flames. I'm happy for them, but don't think they'll do much damage in the playoffs.

Their goaltending is really suspect. Can't rely on Mike Smith when it matters.

 

[koyvoo]

They're the Flames. I'm happy for them, but don't think they'll do much damage in the playoffs.

Their goaltending is really suspect. Can't rely on Mike Smith when it matters.

The leafs are in a different boat in terms of doing damage in the playoffs?

 

[Critical13]

I think they will regress but I still think they are in that 2nd tier of contenders with Toronto, Boston, Colorado.

In my opinion they are definitely in a tier below Tampa and Nashville in the big picture.

 

[Brownbeard]

The leafs are in a different boat in terms of doing damage in the playoffs?

Hopefully

 

[Jee]

Yes best team in Canada

 

[HugginThePost]

They're the Flames. I'm happy for them, but don't think they'll do much damage in the playoffs.

Their goaltending is really suspect. Can't rely on Mike Smith when it matters.

They’re the Leafs. I’m happy for them, but I don’t think they’ll do much damage in the playoffs.

Their defense is really suspect. Can’t rely on Matthews when it matters.

See how silly it sounds?

 

[Brownbeard]

They’re the Leafs. I’m happy for them, but I don’t think they’ll do much damage in the playoffs.

Their defense is really suspect. Can’t rely on Matthews when it matters.

See how silly it sounds?

The difference is that you can rely on Matthews. He's on a goal per game run. He also shows up when he needs to most of the time. There's a big gulf between him and Smith. Or Andersen and Smith.

I just hope that they'll somehow find a defenceman or two before the playoffs.

 

[A91]

Weak goal-tending often gets exposed in the playoffs. If Treliving gets a legit starter then yes I think they are legit contenders.
But I dont think he will so I say no - they arent legit and they will be bounced in round one.

 

[Puckstuff]

I'd say yes, but more then anything it looks like their time.

At worst you have a top 4 or 5 team in the West.

Competing for 1st in the West and a Stanley cup is dependent on a variety of factors obviously, including goaltending, health and consistent play of their top players. If Monahan, Tkachuck and Lindholm are 80 point players vs 65 that is a big difference obviously as well. They are all peaking at the same time it seems.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

I've been talking about the Flames all year and i think they're legitimately a good team. Just the other day i was comparing their best possible lineup vs the Wild's best possible lineup, Minnesota is a good team that makes the playoffs every year and comparing it mano to mano i thought the Flames had a slightly better roster, even taking into consideration Neal's regression possibly being a permanent thing.

Playoffs is a different story and you always need something special to make a deep run, but if the top 6 continues to perform, Neal finds his game and shows up for the post-season with big goals, guys like Jankowski and Hanifin find another gear and Smith plays lights out like he has in the playoffs in the past they are a serious candidate for WCF run and then anything is possible.

 

[koyvoo]

Calgary is going to win the cup. No doubt.

 

[Rubi]

Weak goal-tending often gets exposed in the playoffs. If Treliving gets a legit starter then yes I think they are legit contenders.
But I dont think he will so I say no - they arent legit and they will be bounced in round one.


I hope

Fixed your post

 

[Mr Snrub]

If by "legit" you mean a top team in the NHL, then yes. But if by "legit" you mean "has a legitimate shot at winning the Stanley Cup", then no. The Flames need a lot more playoff experience before they can make a deep run.

Regardless, this is an unbelievably entertaining team to watch. I didn't realise how bad I was suffering through two years of boring-ass Glen Gulutzan hockey. This top line is on fire.

 

[HugginThePost]

The difference is that you can rely on Matthews. He's on a goal per game run. He also shows up when he needs to most of the time. There's a big gulf between him and Smith. Or Andersen and Smith.

I just hope that they'll somehow find a defenceman or two before the playoffs.

How so? Matthews playoff numbers are less than stellar.

I can make the exact same claim.

But I won’t becuae what happen in the past is just that, the past.

 

[Riellyfan04]

Yes! They have a great coach too.

 

[Haatley]

The difference is that you can rely on Matthews. He's on a goal per game run. He also shows up when he needs to most of the time. There's a big gulf between him and Smith. Or Andersen and Smith.

I just hope that they'll somehow find a defenceman or two before the playoffs.

Rely on him for what?
Ghosting when it counts?
Getting hurt?
Can't even rely on him to score 70 points.

 

[These Are The Days]

The Flames will get as far as their goaltending takes them. With that said make the right move at the right time to ensure it's as far as a championship

 

[A91]

Fixed your post

Well yes I am an Oilers fan so obviously I would hope the flames get bounced in round one. Duh?
Doesnt make what I wrote not true.

 

[Duffalufagus]

If by "legit" you mean a top team in the NHL, then yes. But if by "legit" you mean "has a legitimate shot at winning the Stanley Cup", then no. The Flames need a lot more playoff experience before they can make a deep run.

Regardless, this is an unbelievably entertaining team to watch. I didn't realise how bad I was suffering through two years of boring-ass Glen Gulutzan hockey. This top line is on fire.

Sort of like Las Vegas had last year?

Seems like a good take.

 

[Brownbeard]

Rely on him for what?
Ghosting when it counts?
Getting hurt?
Can't even rely on him to score 70 points.

You're funny. If his arm hadn't been accordioned into his shoulder, he'd be on pace for one hell of a season...and still is considering.

I'd rather the Flames win the Cup over almost any team. They're the ONLY Canadian team I like. But they're not that good yet. They don't have a true superstar, and don't have a goalie.

 

[hatterson]

I’d just like to point out that Mike Smith has a career 1.88 GAA and .945 save percentage in the playoffs in 19 games.

Obviously he’s been crazy up and down in the regular season, but any time he’s made it to the dance (twice) he’s been great.