It's back!
Last year we assumed given the early pace that we would need at or near historical highs in points (96) to guarantee a playoff spot. This year seems the opposite, it very well might be that a team in the pacific makes it with a historically low number of points. Currently there are two teams, the Sharks and the Canucks that are in playoff positions at a pace of 85 and 82 points respectively.
As such, this year I'm going to say that
90 points is quite a safe bet in the Pacific to be in. Again, if they can get to that number I think they control their own destiny and don't need to worry too much about what other teams are doing. A much less stressful way to think about things.
So far the Flames, due to their very poor start are well below that pace, but of late have started to climb their way back.
6 wins in a row starting, or a record of 8-2 over their next ten gets them to that pace. It'll be a bit of a longer climb back, probably.
