A guy like Gaudreau can do well in the playoffs but he isnt getting the required support. Both physically as well as just his linemates are dogging it hard and not letting him be the playmaker he is.
That being said, just because Johnny CAN succeed in the playoffs, doesnt mean he will. I have never seen a team’s top 6 (including Johnny) just fold and so clearly not even try as bad as I have the Flames right now. Tampa Bay looked more into their seriesthan the Flames. I would bet money that the Senators wouldnt have allowed 50+ shots in two games in a row this year. I watched Flames teams from 2011-2016 that would have put more of an effort in. The entire team is not only playing like dog****, but putting in one of the most pathetic performances Ive ever seen. This is a team with the lowest shots against in the regular season, giving up 40-55 shots per game. Mike Smith is the only reason it hasnt been a sweep.
All regular season long the Flames would crush opponents. Endless O-zone cycling, odd man rushes up the butt, creative plays, D-men pinching in and winning every time, winning every battle, carrying the puck in instead of dumping the puck, and neutralizing opposing breakouts. Chucky was a MASTER at drawing penalties. They did it WELL.
Now what are we seeing? Meekness has infected the team. No cycling at all. The opposing team is getting breakout rushes at will. The Flames lose nearly every puck battle and it doesnt look like they even try. When they arent dumping and chasing/changing, the puck carrier is skating in and stopping just past the blue line EVERY SINGLE TIME. Johnny especially. Its so predictable and then he gets cornered and passes it right into their shinpads and woopdee doo, a turnover and odd man rush!! D-men are too scared to pinch. Stupid penalties are being taken.
The Flames are playing SCARED hockey. They are trying not to lose, not trying to win. They are on their heels instead of the balls of their feet. They are playing like they spent the last 3 weeks assuming they’d win this series and now they are stumbling around to get a footing. It is legitimately some of the most pathetic hockey Ive ever watched and it pains me. I hope they learn their lesson here.
I don't want to take away from the amazing job MacK and the Avs are doing, they are playing great. But the LA Kings would beat this Flames team. I think the Flames have been thoroughly humbled, and with the help of the home crowd in Calgary, win game 5 in a somewhat dominant fashion and then Avs win in game 6 because the Flames won't learn their lesson because they are mentally ****ed and they'll be cocky after winning one game and repeat their pathetic BS in Denver.