You never know with teams. St. Louis was awful and dead last, and they go on a run and win a cup.
When the Flames started faltering last season, Arizona was in a playoff spot if IIRC. Then they had a huge free-fall, and they end up drafting Tij.
If I had to bet money, I am betting that Calgary finishes comfortably in the bottom 10. I am not sure I want to bet money, but if I had to, that would be my bet. I think one losing skid can snowball here. That snowball can grow fairly big fairly quick, and a few players might get trapped in it (Andersson, Kadri, Vladar, whom else?), and end up getting traded, sending the Flames into a free-fall to the bottom of the standings.
I just wouldn't be so worried about it one way or the other. This is no longer a veteran-heavy team that is designed to make the playoffs, right? They are punching way over expectations, and that's fun. I am enjoying it while it lasts. I bet with this added rest, they have a great shot at winning the next game too.
With that being said, I feel it is certainly more likely that this team loses 7 or 8 in a row than win 7 or 8 in a row in the back half of this season. I think it is more likely that this team goes the way or Arizona last season rather than the way of St. Louis 6 or 7 seasons ago. For some reason, it seems more likely that they fall than simply tread water too for some reason. I guess we will see. Top 5 is not out of the picture yet - at least not for me.
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