The Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames play two different styles. While the Canucks depend on their transition and puck possession game with a combination of veterans and young players, Calgary plays what is called a "rope-a-dope" style which seeks to 'lull' the opposition, while their three mobile defencemen move the puck got to the forwards, particularly the dynamic trio of Gaudreau, Monahan, and Hudler.
While the Sedins power Vancouver's offence along with super sniper Radim Vrbata, some young speedsters in Kassian and Horvat, along with grinders such as Hansens and Kenins, Calgary is essentially a one-line team. Bear in mind that the Flames have been one of the worst puck possession teams in the league as well as having a very young and largely inexperienced team.
Sol one asks, how did the Flames get here? Well, add to the mix a good dosage of superb work ethic, determination, some good luck thrown in, plus the fact that Calgary won many of their games in come-from-behind fashion.
Vancouver's injured netminder Ryan Miller posed a concern in the goaltending department but backup Eddie Lack did an admirable job in Miller's absence.
Calgary lost their prime go to guy in Tori Ramos, but enter Jonas Hiller, who provided a steady hand.
The loss of Calgary's best defenceman (& captain) Mark Giordano hit the Flames pretty hard, but due to their other very capable do-men, namely Brosie, Russell, and Wideman, the Flames continued to prevail.
Many hockey pundits choose Vancouver for one reason: experience trumps inexperience. Perhaps it does, but then again, who knows?
(Reference) Source: THN, TSN
