May 6, 2015
Thumbs up to Flames' inspiring run
TSN's Dave Hodge is back with a double thumbs up, focusing on the Calgary Flames and their feel-good run to the second round of the playoffs. He also looks at Chicago's Corey Crawford, one of just five active NHL goalies who have backstopped a Stanley Cup victory.
By Dave Hodge
What is it about the Calgary Flames?
I'd call them a team of destiny, but I'm not sure that explains anything. It's just a convenient phrase that says things manage to go right for them when all signs point the other way, but it doesn't say why.
Let's try a couple of explanations for the Flames' success, which was once described as unexpected and now takes no one, including the opposition, by surprise. The Flames believe they can beat teams they're not supposed to beat, and win games in which they trail, early or late, because they've done it, time and again. Somewhere in their season, there was a moment, a set of circumstances, a particular game that planted a seed of confidence. They wouldn't have known then how it would grow, and they can't look back now and pick it out of the 82 times they suited up, but this positive force and undying belief in themselves had to start somewhere.
The other intangible that all teams would love to have, but few possess, is the knowledge that their season has long since been declared a success and nothing can change that. The Flames are playing with house money. If they win more, they are bigger winners. If they lose, they're still way ahead of where they started. That's a nice feeling. The fans have it, too.
Thumbs up to Calgary's enjoyment of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Nothing says it has to stop.
--
Thumbs are also up to Corey Crawford, and to the importance of his Stanley Cup ring.
The saga of the unknown Blackhawks' goalie, Scott Darling, formerly down on his luck from the other side of life, was followed with interest by fans around the NHL, and especially in Chicago. If the Blackhawks capture the Stanley Cup, Darling won't just be the backup goalie who watched the other guy win 16 games. Three of the Hawks' seven wins so far are in Darling's name.
But even as he was contributing to those first-round victories over Nashville, I always had the belief that Darling would turn the net back to Crawford, one of only five active NHL goalies who have backstopped a Stanley Cup win. Crawford's performance in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Minnesota proved the point that there is no substitute for playoff experience, especially for goalies.
Devan Dubnyk is another of those wonderful human-interest stories, but the Minnesota Wild netminder, in the playoffs for the first time, missed one shot he should have stopped. Crawford, Stanley Cup champion 2013, didn't.