The final quarter

[Heavy Jack]

Well we are now officially into the last quarter of the season with many teams down to 21/20 or so games left in their respective schedules and with the the TDL behind us and a lot of the juggernaut teams now even more stacked (not you Edmonton lol E=NG forever squared) but what are the expectations and hopes of the fans here? I for one am super impressed this team has hung around and while normally speaking I wouldn’t put to much stock into us making any sort of noise in the postseason were we to make it in… if it wasn’t for the wild card that is Dustin Wolf. I say why not have some fun and cheer for this team to make the push and if they begin to fall away so be it; as for missing out on trading these players the last time I checked lots of trades materialize in the offseason and there is plenty of time to deal some of those contracts. This team is a tight knit group and Conny is rewarding them by keeping them generally together; the Kumenko trade today makes that Frost/Farabee trade look even more incredible as well.

What are your hopes vs expectations down the stretch and final quarter of the season?!

[stemit14]

It will be a close race to the end I think. Hopefully the flames can get some momentum and find a way to get a spot in the postseason. The more I look at it, the more I think there is not much separating these teams (Calgary, Vancouver, St. Louis and Utah). They are pretty even in overall skill so it’s anybody’s spot to take. If Pettersson turns on his game back to his level of 2 years ago then I think the Canucks have the advantage. If not, I think it’s a toss up.

Would really like to see Zary back given more opportunities down the stretch, more powerplay time and playing in key moments at the end of games and in overtime. Don’t like to see a player like him sitting on the bench for the last 20 minutes of a game. The point is to get the young players experience in big games and situations.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

A 5-6 game streak is probably enough to be the difference.

Just look at how they're still benefiting from that 5-0-1 start. Basically .500 since, winning one/two and losing one/two in alternation.

Another streak gets them over the line.

[bigrangy]

I expect the Flames to finish 2 or 3 points outside the playoffs. I hope they don’t.

Low expectations mean less future disappointment but I’m still going to bitch if it happens.

[Mathgod]

Late in the season they get the Sharks twice and the Ducks twice. They'll probably need 7 of the possible 8 points to end up getting in. Not saying they can't do it, but it'll be a challenge.

[SuperMatt18]

20 games left probably need to go at least 3-2-0 in each 5 game segment and 12-8-0 overall as 92 points will be close to enough this year, and 94 points probably guarantees it .

Segment 1:
Canadiens
Canucks
Avalanche
@Leafs
@Rangers (B2B)

Segment 2:
@Devils
@Islanders
Kraken
Stars
@Oilers

Segment 3:
@ Avalanche
@ Hockey Club (B2B)
Ducks
Knights
@ Sharks

Segment 4:
@Ducks
Wild
Sharks
Knights
@Kings

Only 2 Back to Backs. 10 games at home and 10 games on the road.

Really the playoffs start now and they need to go win 4 5 game series to advance.

On the flip side they probably need to go 7-13 for bottom 10 (82 points)

13-7-0: 94 points and playoffs
7-13-0: 82 points and top 10 pick

Go 2-3-0 in each 5 game segment and you probably pick bottom 10, go 3-2-0 in each 5 game segment and you probably make the playoffs. Thats probably how slim the margin is now.

[dino7c]

The LA game could be something...season was supposed to be over for both teams. LA will likely be set with their Oilers playoff matchup.

Another thought, almost every game means more to the Flames than the opponent

[Strange Brew]

I can't predict how 20 games will play out.

But the Wednesday game is a big one. Flames will be coming off 3 days off and Vancouver will have played the night before and then flying in to Calgary.

Hopefully after that game Flames are ahead in the standings and will have a game in hand.

[Rhett44]

Hopes: top 10 pick or playoffs.

Expectations: pick 15.

[GullFoss]

The goal has to be to catch the kings and hope to draw Vegas or oilers in first round lol

[gvitaly]

I hope to see either a 6 game winning streak or a 6 game losing streak. Anything but .500 hockey would be great at this point.

I don't see the Flames beating any of the top 5 teams in the West in a 7 game series. Unless of course the Flames manage to find some chemistry and get a lot more offense from Farabee, Frost, Coronato and Legor down the stretch and into the playoffs.

[Sylvanfan]

I have the Flames getting 22.26 points so round down to 22 over these last 20 games to finish at 90. Unfortunately the win tonight now puts Vancouver in position to finish with 91 in my projections. St Louis with 90 and Utah with 88.

Flames opponents from here on out have an average points percentage of 0.542 which is 0.08 points below league average and 0.06 below that of the Flames. So to make the playoffs they need to likely go 10-7-3 or 11-8-1 and get 23 more points.

[Goriders]

I would guess the Flames will have to go 11-9 or 12-8 to make the playoffs. As well as win the games vs Vcr and Utah.

If they stay healthy I think they can do it.

[Rtown]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

The goal has to be to catch the kings and hope to draw Vegas or oilers in first round lol

Honestly for a couple months now when playoffs were maybe looking like a thing and Wolf looking how he does I started hoping for a playoff matchup, either this year or next year, with the Pretenders up North. Beat them, have 97 leave town and we can proclaim how the Flames “broke” the Oilers. Karma is a you know what.

[BrownDrake]

Give Wolf 9 of the next 10 starts, give Vladar the B2B Rangers.
If we are 7-3 or 6-4 over those 10 games keep riding him.
Wolf needs 10 wins to beat Vernon’s rookie record for wins.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I have the Flames getting 22.26 points so round down to 22 over these last 20 games to finish at 90. Unfortunately the win tonight now puts Vancouver in position to finish with 91 in my projections. St Louis with 90 and Utah with 88.

Flames opponents from here on out have an average points percentage of 0.542 which is 0.08 points below league average and 0.06 below that of the Flames. So to make the playoffs they need to likely go 10-7-3 or 11-8-1 and get 23 more points.

Where do you have the Kings finishing?

[dammage79]

I suspect that flames play sub .500 hockey in the final 20. Don't know where that leaves them in the playoff picture but that's how I see them winding down the season.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Tsawwassen

Where do you have the Kings finishing?

Kings have a really good home record on the season of 19-3-4 which equates to a 0.808 points percentage which is the best in the league, and 15 of their 22 remaining games are at home. So I have them collecting 27 points in their final 22 games and finishing with 98 points which would be 1 point behind where I have the Oilers.

[UKflames]

CC has shown faith in this bunch of players, if they don't pay him back, sh** the bed, and don't make the playoffs, I can see him being really pi$$ed and having no trouble selling in the off season.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Rtown

Honestly for a couple months now when playoffs were maybe looking like a thing and Wolf looking how he does I started hoping for a playoff matchup, either this year or next year, with the Pretenders up North. Beat them, have 97 leave town and we can proclaim how the Flames “broke” the Oilers. Karma is a you know what.

I really hope they get in and get a shot at wiping out the oilers.