Wordplay already going strong for Hawks, Flames

The gamesmanship has started from the Calgary Flames, who claim the pressure is all on the "favored" Blackhawks for their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

"Now we're going into the playoffs as an underdog," Calgary defenseman Adrian Aucoin said.

"When you are the favorite there's more pressure on you," Flames center Craig Conroy said. "There's more pressure and expectations at home."

Game 1 will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the United Center, with Game 2 on Saturday at a time to be determined.

Maybe there is some pressure on the fourth-seeded Hawks with so many of their young players without playoff experience, but there would seem to be more on the experienced Flames, the fifth seed.

This is a team that plays in a hockey-mad city where every shift is scrutinized, that has lost three years in a row in the first round and that blew the Northwest Division title after having what appeared to be a comfortable 13-point lead.

"The pressure is on them because nobody is expecting it from us," Martin Havlat said Sunday after the Hawks wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 victory over Detroit at the UC.

The Flames also have health issues that they are saying very little about.

Defensemen Robyn Regehr has a knee sprain and Cory Sarich a broken foot. Sarich might be OK for Game 1, but Regehr, Calgary's best and most punishing blue liner, is likely out. The loss of the bruising Regehr would hurt with the Flames saying they need to play physical to beat the Hawks.

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary's second-best defenseman, has an undisclosed injury, but he is expected to be ready for Game 1. Winger Rene Bourque also might return after missing significant time with a high ankle sprain.

Both teams have concerns about each other. The Hawks' starts with Jarome Iginla, Calgary's superstar winger who has 25 goals and 45 points in 48 career playoff games.

"It's going to be a key shutting down his line," said Hawks left wing Andrew Ladd, who figures to draw that assignment with linemates Sammy Pahlsson and Dustin Byfuglien.

"He creates a lot of offense and is playoff-type player who can really control games."

The Flames lost all four regular-season games to the Hawks.

"We basically played really poorly against them all year," Aucoin said. "I'm sure they expect us to be a lot better, and we know we can be a lot better."

The Hawks are going to the playoffs on a roll, having won six of seven and taking 21 out of a possible 28 points in their final 14 games.

"They're young and I think that's one of their biggest assets," Aucoin said. "They come out and play every game like it's their last a lot of times because they don't know any better. They just love playing and have a good group there with a veteran coach."

The Flames closed losing six of their last 10. In addition to the nagging injuries, their power play finished in an 0-for-43 funk.

"I know there's a lot of people that have written us off," Conroy said. "It's time to go play and we just have to be on top of our game."