As for the Flames not making the playoffs, ALL of the following would have to happen:
1) VEG passes them (sure)
2) SJ passes them (unlikely IMO, as the Sharks lost a lot of talent this summer)
3) one of ARI or VAN has to pass them. ARI had 86 points and VAN had 81. I could see ARI hit 90, or maybe 95 at the most, but that's about it. I don't see VAN hitting 90. So the Flames would have to plummet for either of these teams to pass them.
4) Both WC teams would have to pass them. Last year, the two WCs had 93 and 90 points. It is certainly reasonable to think those numbers will rise this year, but even if we assume 96, that still requires a huge drop off from the Flames.
If you think the Flames aren't making the playoffs, you have to be thinking they will get less than 95 points. Probably less than 92 or 93.
I don't see any chance of that happening.
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