Ducks vs Flames Staff Predicitons

The Anaheim Calling staff take a few minutes to talk about how they feel Round 1 will go for Anaheim. Check it out and then let’s hear your predictions in the comments below!

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JC McDonough

In my opinion, Calgary is a much better team than the iteration Anaheim faced in the second round 2 years ago. However, Anaheim’s defensive stinginess and a potent top-9 will spell trouble for the Flames. While Calgary certainly boasts some good depth up front and a talented top-4 defense, Anaheim is just better in almost every area. As long as Anaheim continues it’s dominance at home (no way I see this changing) then one stolen game in Calgary will mean a very short series.

Prediction: Anaheim in 5

CJ Woodling

The Ducks come into this series looking just as mean and physical as the last time they faced the Flames in the playoffs two years ago. The season series backed that up with Anaheim taking care of business for the most part, both physically and in on-ice play.

However, the Flames come into the playoffs this year with more experience and further developed talent. They likely will not go into the night as easily as they did in 2015 when the Ducks took them out in 5 games (and very nearly swept them). The Ducks still have the experience, size, and defensive advantage, however, to rise above the Flames (insert Phoenix reference here).

Prediction: Anaheim in 6

Daniel Kleinberg

I am not usually an optimist, especially when it comes to the Randy Carlyle brand of hockey, but something just feels different about this team right now. Ryan Getzlaf is on fire with Rickard Rakell and Patrick Eaves on his wings, and it does not look like he can be stopped. This offensive burst could continue against veteran goaltender Brian Elliot. The Calgary goalie is a miserable 1-7-3 all time against the Ducks. Backup goalie Chad Johnson is also currently injured and would most likely return banged up. Rookie Jon Gillies, who has one career start, will be backing up Elliot until Johnson returns. As long as Anaheim’s shooting percentage does not decide to go into the gutter, every game should feature plenty of scoring.

I also have some random predictions. Corey Perry will lead the series in goals while Getzlaf will leadership his way into everyone’s hearts. Jonathan Bernier will draw into a game one way or another. Lastly, the Calgary Flames will win an elusive game at Honda Center. The streak has to end some time, but it better not be a game 7.

Prediction: Anaheim in 5

Lois Yang

This match-up will potentially be the most wild and chippy considering the bad blood boiling between the two teams in light of Cam's injury. The Ducks potentially have the most favorable match-up in the first round. While Calgary has the youth and speed, the Ducks will dictate the games at their own pace and bully the Flames on home ice.

Prediction: Anaheim in 6

Felix Sicard

Here’s what the Anaheim Ducks have to offer going into the post-season: three quality forward lines, arguably the deepest blueline corps in the National Hockey League, and an extremely solid goaltender in John Gibson. Factor in an elite penalty kill, and it’s hard not to see them as the favorites against a Calgary Flames team that – although highly talented – doesn’t possess the same kind of depth.

It says something about this Ducks’ team that the loss of Cam Fowler isn’t seen as a death knell, but rather a speed bump. Anaheim does struggle to protect leads, preferring instead to adopt a strict defensive posture. That should make way for at least one Calgary comeback during this series. The Flames won’t be an easy out, but the Ducks just seem too deep and too talented to get bounced in the first round.

Prediction: Anaheim in 6

John Broadbent

It is absolutely critical that the Ducks take the first two games at home and I think they do that due to owning the matchups and having the last change. For similar reasons they could drop one game in Calgary, but I think they take at least one there in OT. The decider will be an OT affair also – possibly a lengthy one.

Bonus round: OT Game Winners – Rickard Rakell in Calgary and Nate Thompson at home.

Prediction: Anaheim in 5

Alex Siegman

God forbid this goes to Game 7 and we have to see the apocalyptic wormhole open above Honda Center. A Ducks home game 7 vs. Calgary in Anaheim would be really fun to see who can out curse who. Thankfully, I don't see it coming to that. The Ducks will remain dominate at home while the Flames will manage to squeak out a game in games 3 or 4. A big question mark for this series is how disciplined each team can stay. Game 1 will set the tone for the whole series and it could spiral out of control very quickly if the refs let things go. Many view this Calgary team as improved over years past, and in any other circumstance I'd give them a chance. But, the Ducks’ late season surge and multiple players getting hot will prove too much to handle for the Flames.

Prediction: Anaheim in 5

Shaun Greene

Yes, the loss of Fowler hurts, but with Cam out, it will force Carlyle to rely heavily on both Hampus Lindholm (who starts his Conn Smythe campaign) and Josh Manson.

Ryan Kesler will be at his best shadowing Johnny Hockey and completely shutting the young forward down. The playoffs will also be a wake-up call for the rest of the league to the brilliance and skills of Rickard Rakell. Mini prediction within the prediction: a Rak City goal is featured in a SportsCenter’s Top 10 within the first week of the playoffs.

The main concern for the Ducks will be staying out of the penalty box (Gio took his beating. Let's play smart) and capitalizing on any powerplay opportunities that happen to come their way.

The biggest X-factor in the series will be the 3^rd line of Kase/Ritchie, Antoine Vermette and Corey Perry. The last time Perry was in the playoffs with a Carlyle led team, he had two goals and eight points in six games. We saw glimmers of MVPerry towards the end of the season and having secondary scoring on the Ducks’ third line will be huge in this first round match-up.

First Round MVP: Ryan Kesler

Corey Perry Points (CPP): 5

Prediction: Dick Van Dyke’n (cause he was a chimney sweep that one time). Ducks go for the sweep. Win series 4-0. Bold prediction, but fortune favors the bold.

Caleb Speer

Knock on wood, but Anaheim should continue their home dominance. As long as Perry isn't suckered into being himself and Bieksa can manage to not get lost every shift, the Ducks have a good shot at moving on. This Flames team is deeper than the 2015 squad, so I think they'll grab a pair-but not in Anaheim. It'll be interesting to see if hockey does in fact show up, or if we will see some more fight nights. With the Ducks 14 game point streak and the raw experience of playoff hockey, I have to give them the edge. The Pond remains the Flames kryptonite and the Ducks finish them off before we test the hockey gods in a game 7.

Prediction: Anaheim in 6