CP Poll of the Week - Will the Flames win the NW? [Archive] - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

I_H8_Crawford

03-22-2009, 08:39 PM

Only way I can see them winning it is if Vancouver chokes down the stretch as well - I don't see that happening.

If they win it, the Flames will back into the division title, much like they backed into the playoffs the past couple years.

calgaryred

03-22-2009, 08:39 PM

I voted yes because they are a team of suprises and even though they have a tough schedule, they will pull it off.

Suzles

03-22-2009, 08:45 PM

Of course, they are going to win.

CalgaryInSeven

03-22-2009, 08:53 PM

I voted the Canucks to win the division because they are three points ahead and have shown that they are the better team all season long. I don't see how Calgary could possibly catch them when they are being carried by their third-liners. Meanwhile the Canucks' big deadline acquisitiion and franchise player are starting to show a lot of scoring chemistry, the team as a whole is outshooting their opposition at even strength at a far greater rate than Calgary, and they have started to turn the corner in their defensive game.

JiriHrdina

03-22-2009, 08:59 PM

CalgaryInSeven

03-22-2009, 09:23 PM

I honestly don't think its possible to back into a division title.

My memory is hazy but didn't Washington do that last season?

Yeah_Baby

03-22-2009, 09:25 PM

I voted no. I'm Debbie Downer.

I_H8_Crawford

03-22-2009, 09:33 PM

I honestly don't think its possible to back into a division title.
And lots of people the past 2 years didn't think it was possible for a team to back into the playoffs.

IMO having to rely on another team losing instead of winning your games and taking care of your own business is backing in - whether it be for the 7/8 seed or the division title.

Seen this story the past 2 years in regards to the playoffs, and have no reason to believe otherwise this year in regards to the division.

It just isn't springtime without the Flames continually placing their fate in another team's hands.

CalgaryInSeven

03-22-2009, 09:42 PM

It just isn't springtime without the Flames continually placing their fate in another team's hands.

The Flames are up by 3 points over their nearest NW division rival with even games played and only one head-to-head remaining. Therefore it would logically follow that the Flames have their NW division title destiny in their hands.

Lil Pedro

03-22-2009, 09:43 PM

I voted yes because I have faith and know that we will find our game
Come on people!

JiriHrdina

03-22-2009, 09:45 PM

And lots of people the past 2 years didn't think it was possible for a team to back into the playoffs.

IMO having to rely on another team losing instead of winning your games and taking care of your own business is backing in - whether it be for the 7/8 seed or the division title.

Seen this story the past 2 years in regards to the playoffs, and have no reason to believe otherwise this year in regards to the division.

It just isn't springtime without the Flames continually placing their fate in another team's hands.

The Flames are still picking up points...not as many as one would like but its not like they've lost 5 straight or anything. The reason why the division is up for grabs has more to do with an incredible run by the Canucks.

You can't back into a division. It is awarded to the team that is the best over an 82 game schedule.

HelloHockeyFans

03-22-2009, 09:47 PM

Voted yes. I think the Flames rattle off wins in at least 8 of their last 11.

HelloHockeyFans

03-22-2009, 09:52 PM

Just to add, the Flames for the most part of this season, have been a very resilient bunch... coming back in games to pull out a win, showing up strong despite other factors that might/should affect them. Things haven't been great for the last while obviously, but don't forget that for the larger part of the season, this has been a team that has always answered the bell... no reason to think they don't do that this time around.

flip

03-22-2009, 10:33 PM

If the voting stays the same (37F, 9A) does anyone think there'll be a petition to have a new set of "One of the nine" custom titles distributed, if the Flames do lose the divison? Or will we just be run out of town?

What the hell is Naw anyways?

I_H8_Crawford

03-22-2009, 11:37 PM

The Flames are still picking up points...not as many as one would like but its not like they've lost 5 straight or anything. The reason why the division is up for grabs has more to do with an incredible run by the Canucks.

You can't back into a division. It is awarded to the team that is the best over an 82 game schedule.
I think it is a case of semantics and agree to disagree, the same argument was made the past 2 years about how a team can't back into the playoffs over 82 games.

I think where we CAN agree however is that it would NOT be a good thing for this team to lose more games than it will win over this final stretch, and head into the playoffs with numerous questions hanging over it, i.e. reliable goaltending, team defence, the PP, etc. whether they win the division or not.

Torture

03-22-2009, 11:39 PM

I honestly don't think its possible to back into a division title.

I don't even get the whole backing in concept. They played well enough to have the x point lead earlier in the season. So whether they back in or not, they deserve to be in that playoff spot based on their play over the course of an 82 game season. Games 1-10 matter just as much as Games 72-82.
You can just tell more about the consequences late in the season.

I mean I see what people are saying about backing in and it sucks to go into the playoffs on a losing streak or whatever, but you still deserve it. You don't hear anything from other fan bases saying "yeah but you backed into the playoffs last year", not even Canucks fans say that.

JiriHrdina

03-23-2009, 06:39 AM

I think it is a case of semantics and agree to disagree, the same argument was made the past 2 years about how a team can't back into the playoffs over 82 games.

I think where we CAN agree however is that it would NOT be a good thing for this team to lose more games than it will win over this final stretch, and head into the playoffs with numerous questions hanging over it, i.e. reliable goaltending, team defence, the PP, etc. whether they win the division or not.

A teams' play heading into the post-season has been shown to be a very poor indicator of how they'll do once they get thre.

The playoffs are a brand new season - a fresh page if you will. You try to get into the best possible position, but once you arrive at the second season pretty much everything gets tossed out the window.

flambers

03-23-2009, 07:59 AM

I answered... No. Flames have a much tougher schedule than the Canucks.

Flames remaining games;

Wings - 1 game
Sharks - 1 game
Penguins - 1 game
Jackets - 1 game
Oilers - 2 games
Canucks - 1 game
Wild - 2 games

Kings - 1 game
Stars - 1 game

11 games remaining

Canucks Schedule

Avalanche - 3 games
Kings - 1 game
Stars - 1 game

Blues - 1 game
Hawks - 1 game
Wild - 1 game
Oilers - 1 game
Flames - 1 game
Ducks - 1 game

11 games remaining

In my view the Flames have the much tougher schedule to finish the year....They will need to pick up their game or finishing first in the NW could slip away.

Canucks have the Avalanche 3 times, Avalanche look like a team that has packed it in already.....

kermitology

03-23-2009, 09:38 AM

That series of back to backs to end the season are not good news IMO.

Said no. BUT I think they still finish above the Hawks.

Joe Nieuwendyk

03-23-2009, 10:24 AM

Seen this story the past 2 years in regards to the playoffs, and have no reason to believe otherwise this year in regards to the division.

Exactly. It's just like how Detroit will never win in the playoffs...oh wait...

IceMan xMVPx

03-23-2009, 10:46 AM

I voted yes. If this was a team filled with a bunch of young guys then i could see them folding under the pressure but the fact that this a veteran team i really believe that they will pull it out and take the division. Regards to the Canucks, there schedule is easier but we all know that these bottom feeder teams and teams that are still fighting to get into the playoffs won't go down easy. Also, the Avalanche play really well against the Canucks so those 3 games aren't a given either. We'll just have to wait and see i guess...

Mango

03-23-2009, 11:25 AM

That series of back to backs to end the season are not good news IMO.

Said no. BUT I think they still finish above the Hawks.

You took the words out of my mouth. The Flames always seem to struggle on nights with no rest. I also don't feel Bertuzzi and Bourque will turn things around down the stretch, because it takes some time to find your legs, especially with the length of time Bourque has been out. Hopefully, they'll be "themselves" right in time for the start of the season.

I think the schedule is a mini-nightmare and unless the Canucks continue to drop games on the road like the did in Phoenix, the Flames will be 5th overall in the West.

However, the other side of me hopes the Flames will stop talking and the talk and doing the walk. This team has too much depth to just fade away.

Yeah_Baby

03-23-2009, 01:09 PM

I have no idea why but I voted no.

Same as me, plan for worst. Hope for the best.

Flame On

03-23-2009, 03:51 PM

They like to test it, but I have faith.

Smell My Finger

03-24-2009, 12:59 AM

I saw yes by 5pts. :beer:

Robbob

03-24-2009, 06:27 AM

I said yes. Why? Common sense or simple logic. IF the Flames go 6-4 the rest of the way the Canucks have to go 9-2. I just don't think it can happen. Even is the Flames go .500 the canucks have to go 8-3.

Daradon

03-24-2009, 06:00 PM

Yup, by five points

Sir Leafsland Flamesfan

03-26-2009, 05:21 AM

I say no. Their pattern of losses over, say, the last 10 games suggests the team is in decline. Meanwhile, Van wins on, and the Flames schedule is more challenging than theirs. Losing to Columbus tonight might make this inevitable.

burn_baby_burn

03-26-2009, 08:47 AM