Alright lads, we are hours away from game number one of the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup playoffs!

And while many fans are certainly excited that there team has made it this far, there is still a fair number of fans who are worried about how things will go down, given that they are playing a “mighty” Ducks team who are the clear favourites.

Personally, I’m not sold on the fact that the Flames will get a beat down throughout this series. In fact, I feel that the series will be a hell of a lot closer than fans want to potentially believe. As many of my recent blogs have mentioned, there is still an uncertainty or lack of confidence for their team due to what they’ve been fed from the media all year.

Have we finally reached a point where fans can start acting a little more confident about their chances? It would seem that anything you read of late provides nothing but reasons why the author feels that the Ducks should take this one in 5, (maybe) 6 games as the Flames will certainly win no games on the road.

"We're not worried about the stats," Ferland said. "We just want to go there and be the harder-working team for sure and let our feet and bodies do the talking."

"Everyone has written us off. From the start of the year, no one gave us a chance," Stajan said. "We have our confidence in the dressing room in what we're capable of and we have all year.

"We're going to rile each other up and throw everything we have at them."

For those who follow each blog, I’ve gone ahead and submitted my thoughts on the head to head battle between these two for the upcoming games, and essentially offered that while the historical trend for the Flames at the Honda Center is terrible, what matters are the results from this year.

What we have seen so far this year is that both teams have actually struggled against the other on the road. Both the Flames and the Ducks have done much better against the other in their own barn, so how the first two games go should certainly set the tone for the rest of the series.

If Calgary can come away with one win over their next two games, this series could be a hell of lot more interesting and close than the pundits are offering. Personally I give the big W to the Flames tonight who are likely much more energetic and excited to be in the position that they are, underdog or not, than are the Ducks who have done this a few times before.

And while I feel the first game may be favoured for the Flames, if by chance Calgary does walk away with a win tonight, be prepared for a rough second game because this Ducks team will come at them hard…harder than what I expect tonight.

The key for success for Calgary will be their speed and not (trying) to outmuscle the Ducks. They are a bigger team on average and if it wasn’t for Ferland on the roster, their averages would be much greater in comparison than they are now. While Calgary can offer a rough and tumble style game, they may end up wearing themselves down against Anaheim if they start off too heavy. Simple dump and chase game, getting pucks and bodies to the net, and short passes will likely help their cause.

"Here's probably one of the best teams in the NHL, if not the best team when you look at stats, when you ask any expert or people around the game," Hartley said. "They're big and they're fast.

"We have big hearts. We have no fear. We've showed it all year. We're solid. You might bend us, but you're not going to break us."

Tonight’s prediction?

4-2 empty netter Calgary.

Thanks for reading!

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