Playoff Intensity

Players - Even though the Sharks were credited with more hits (41-36), I felt like they lacked the intensity needed to win a playoff series. The Flames seemed to come out flying and threw their weight around in the first few minutes, contributing to an early 2-0 lead. It's inexcusable that a team comes out flat in the opening game of the playoffs. The Flames also seemed to work harder to get to pucks and to win battles along the boards. Maybe it has to do with the coaching. "Iron" Mike Keenan is known as a motivator and got his team ready to play, but I can't imagine Ron Wilson yelling and getting his team jacked up before the game.

Fans - Was it just me or was it not very loud in the building? I remember playoff games being so much louder than regular season games. Yesterday, the playoff atmosphere was almost non-existent. Maybe it was because the Flames took the fans out of the game early or maybe there are just too many corporate/bandwagon fans. In any case, I expect the fans at the Tank to step it up a notch.. and so does Barry Melrose.

"5. Which arena will have the most electricity in the first round?

Melrose: The Shark Tank. It's the loudest building in the NHL. All of the first-round arenas will be great; Washington will be unbelievable. But with all of the optimism and the team's strong finish to the regular season, San Jose will be rockin'." (ESPN.com)