Last year the Predators got the last playoff spot with 97 points and a 45-30-7 record. They were swept by the Avalanche. They lost Saros and went with Rittich and his .887 save pct.
The Flames currently hold a 27-21-13 record for 67 points with 21 games left. Markstrom has an .887 save pct. To even get to the lofty standard of the 2021-22 first round fodder Predators, the Flames need a .714 points percentage in the remaining games. That could be a 14-5-2 or maybe an 11-2-8 run (which would fit this dumb year).
And honestly, then what? Do they beat the Avs or Stars or Golden Knights? How could anyone responsibly look at this situation from a management perspective and think that this group will play at an unprecedented level for the rest of the season and beyond? And even if they do achieve such a highly, highly unlikely outcome by sneaking into the playoffs I just don't see how that would be better than gaining assets right now to load up for the draft (where they can trade for good players) and come back stronger next season.
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