Preview: Blackhawks vs Flames 2009
Records
Chicago (4): 46-24-12 (104 pts) Home: 23-9-8 Away: 22-15-4
Calgary (5): 46-30-6 (98 pts) Home: 27-10-4 Away: 19-20-2
Head-to-Head
Nov 9, 2008 – CHI 6 CGY 1
Dec 19, 2008 – CHI 3 CGY 2 (OT)
Jan 4, 2009 – CHI 5 CGY 2
Feb 5, 2009 – CHI 5 CGY 2
Chicago won season series 4-0.
Fights
Nov 9, 2008 – Troy Brouwer vs Brandon Prust
Nov 9, 2008 – Matt Walker vs Brandon Prust
Jan 4, 2009 – Mark Giordano vs Colin Fraser
Jan 4, 2009 – Robyn Regehr vs Ben Eager
Jan 4, 2009 – Andre Roy vs Matt Walker
Lineup
Goaltending: DRAW
Scoring: DRAW
Defense: EDGE Chicago
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: EDGE Calgary
Schedule
Thursday, April 16, 8:30 p.m. (TSN, VERSUS)
Saturday, April 18, TBD (TSN)
Monday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. (TSN, VERSUS)
Wednesday, April 22, TBD (TSN, VERSUS)
*Saturday, April 25, 10:00 p.m. (TSN)
*Monday, April 27, TBD (TSN)
*Wednesday, April 29, TBD (TSN)
Completely Unbiased Flames Fan Prediction
Calgary gonna style all ova Chicago
But Seriously….
It’s a damn shame Chicago has to face Calgary in the first round, they were my bandwagon team this year! There’s really no reason Chicago isn’t the favorite in this series, especially given Calgary’s recent injuries, but I’m banking on Chicago being this year’s Washington/Pittsburgh; the kids in Chicago will need to lose before they start winning. Chicago will win some blowout games, Calgary some close ones but experience is the difference for me….Flames in 6.
John’s Pick
Both teams are extremely young, both teams are very good, but both team are also somewhat inconsistent. This is a pick ’em series in my opinion and the team that actually shows up and plays to their potential will win. I’ll go with Calgary here. As much as the Flames have been riddled with injury problems and are missing the real Miikka Kiprusoff, they have the ability to out-work and out-grind the ‘Hawks in the long run. Chicago ended the season on a great note and should make this one competitive though. Flames in 7.
David’s Pick
Kipper is great, but Nikolai Khabibulin not only had a better season, but has a Cup ring and knows hot to get it done – up until the very end. The Blackhawks are coming together well and have been slowly building up to this moment for the past few years. Despite the presence of Jarome Iginla, the Hawks’ top trio of scorers gets my edge, and the youthful Chicago D look very strong. This series should have great entertainment value, tune in when you can. Blackhawks in a somehow-even-close-than-it-sounds 7.
