Flames rally to eliminate the Canucks, Canadiens and Senators prepare for Game Six and the latest on the Oilers.
CALGARY SUN/THE PROVINCE: The Calgary Flames overcame a 3-0 deficit and a goalie change to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 7-4, winning their best-of-seven opening-round series in six games. An interference call on Vancouver’s Brandon McMillan with the Canucks leading 4-3 early in the third period sparked the Flames’ late rally thanks to Jiri Hudler’s power-play goal, setting the stage for Matt Stajan’s series winner later in the period. The Flames top line of Hudler (two goals, four points), Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau (one goals, two assists each) fueled the Flames rally earlier in the game, while pesky Michael Ferland also tallied twice for the Flames.
Calgary Flames center Matt Stajan (left) celebrates his series-winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This one seemed to be a blowout in the Canucks’ favor early in the game when they took a 3-0 lead and forced Jonas Hiller from the net. Of course, the Flames did what they’ve always done this season, confound the experts and the odds by overcoming the deficits to win the game. The Flames face stiffer competition in the second round against the Anaheim Ducks. As for the Canucks, while this was a disappointing series, the fact they even made the playoffs suggests this rebuilding franchise is on the right path.
MONTREAL GAZETTE/OTTAWA SUN: Canadiens coach Michel Therrien insists there’s equal pressure on his club and the Ottawa Senators to win Game Six tonight in Ottawa. The Senators got a boost in Game Five from Bobby Ryan, who seems back on track offensively after snapping their scoreless streak.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The momentum in this series has clearly shifted since the Habs took a 3-0 series lead. With the Senators having won the past two games, including a 5-1 beatdown of the Habs in Montreal in Game Five, it’s like they’re the ones with the series lead. The Canadiens seem tense and frustrated heading into Game Six, which doesn’t bode well for their chances of victory. The Habs anemic offensive production, a problem throughout the season, is killing them in this series, especially against Senators goalie Craig Anderson, who seems to have their number. I have no problem in saying that if the Senators win Game Six, they will go on and win the series.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jonathan Willis wonders if drafting Connor McDavid could improve the Oilers’ chances of hiring Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock if he becomes a free agent this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It couldn’t hurt, I suppose, though the change in the front office could be a more important factor. That being said, we don’t know if Babcock will even be available, let alone if he’ll consider signing on with the Oilers.
Is there a more over rated goalie than Ryan Miller? Youre never out of a playoff game as long as he is in the other net.
Man Vancouver was disappointing. I didn’t really take a side in his series but I was leaning on to vancouver advancing as their window with the Sedins is closing while the Flames look to have many future opportunities.
Having said that, it is great to see the young team in Calgary advance. I’m not sure they got what it will take to over come Anahiem but at series end it is apparent they are the better team and the more likely to topple Anahiem than Vancouver would be.
whatever you say about the Canuck’s series loss you can’t say the Sedins didn’t show up, they controlled the puck when they were on the ice, generated chances, led the team in scoring and were the players everyone wanted them to be. the same cannot be said for the rest of the team, Weber in particular was a brutal -5 (he did have one great hit on Bennett), no doubt the flames targeted him and Sbisa for a reason. Higgins got one big goal in the 2nd game and then disappeared, this sadly was typical of his season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was moved in the offseason. the Canucks had a good bounceback season but came up a little short in the playoffs, from the moment they took their jobs Benning & Linden’s stated goal was to make the playoffs and they promised the core of the team they would give them one more shot as a group, they did that and now it’s time for change. their 2nd line needs to be more dangerous (maybe Virtanen replacing Higgins does that), their 4th line needs to be more aggressive on the forecheck (Richardson & Dorsett and a speedy heavy hitter)and their defense needs to be more physical (perhaps Andrey Pedan might help that?). it’ll be interesting to see what Benning does in the offseason as the status quo clearly isn’t good enough.
the depth of the habs carried them to a series win bring on tb or the wings