Regular season has meaning as it's so tough to make the playoffs. Good teams still don't get in. Need to get in first as per Carolina and Columbus, even the Blues.
I think what we are seeing is that you need to be one of the better teams after the all-star break and going into the playoffs hot. Clinching early and having not many meaningful games to close the season hurt the Flames (and Tampa).
Points prior to the all-star break get you into the playoffs but don't mean playoff success. It's all what you do after the all-star break.
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