Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?!? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

tvp2003 · 11-18-2015, 04:43 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE

Seriously though -- in looking at the schedule, the Flames have only played 4 out of 28 scheduled divisional games this year (2-2-0, with one of those wins coming as an OT win against Vancouver). I don't think this is unusual from a scheduling perspective -- at the same point last year, they had also played 4 divisional games.

That leaves 24 games (out of 62 -- almost 40%) that are against division opponents, including:

- VAN x3
- SJ x5
- ARI x4
- ANA x5

There are also 4 games against division leading LA (we can probably concede they'll make it in) and 3 games against last place Edmonton. I also note that we are tied with VAN and ahead of ANA in terms of ROW wins (i.e. from a tiebreaker perspective).

Anyone bold enough to predict the Flames will still be playing hockey in mid-April? The next road trip (ANA, ARI, SJ) should give us a good indication of whether this team has any hope of earning a playoff spot; breaking the Honda Center curse would be an added bonus. Incidentally, the Flames had almost the exact same road trip last year at the end of November -- they lost to Anaheim (of course) but that was followed by Ramo's back-to-back shutout wins against San Jose and then Arizona.

Out of the teams that are left, I think Vancouver is catchable, and hopefully Anaheim can be the LA of last year (including the Flames having a 4-1 record against them). That leaves one of San Jose and Arizona -- both have suspect goaltending but I wouldn't be surprised if they finish #2 and #3.

Eric · 11-18-2015, 04:49 PM

With the exception of the Chicago game, the Flames have been playing decent hockey of late. I think they deserved a better record than 1-3 on the road trip. Honestly the past 8 games or so they've improved quite a bit, despite their mediocre record.

I still believe.

handgroen · 11-18-2015, 05:01 PM

Great thread OP, there is still hope at 5% on sportsclubstats.com but seeing that we have almost our entire division schedule ahead makes it even more feasible.

hockey.modern · 11-18-2015, 05:03 PM

Because we are in the pacific, I say we have a chance still. Any other division and we'd be out.

Cali Panthers Fan · 11-18-2015, 05:06 PM

Flames have really had a wacky schedule so far with so few divisional games, and 8 out of 12 games this month on the road. Also, 2...yes 2 separate multi-game road trips out east within the first 30 days of the season??? Pretty challenging for any team, let alone a team struggling to find its game.

As for playoffs, I always say the same thing by quoting Yogi Berra: "It ain't over 'til it's over."

Caged Great · 11-18-2015, 05:12 PM

The Flames need to get a bunch of wins between now and January 1st, and each of those intra-division games are pretty much must wins. They need to be within 1-2 points of a playoff spot by Jan 1st.

WesternCanadaKing · 11-18-2015, 05:19 PM

I think the Flames make a big push for it, standing up in the face of adversity or bad odds is this team's identity. This team seems to need to have its feet close to the fire for them to really get moving.

JJ1532 · 11-18-2015, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Because we are in the pacific, I say we have a chance still. Any other division and we'd be out.

The Atlantic Division says hi.

heep223 · 11-18-2015, 05:26 PM

Great thread. I still believe. Yes the D has been poor but this team has had to deal with chemistry issues, a weird schedule and straight up bad bounces. They have been playing good hockey the last 5 or so games and they're starting to attack in waves. They will find their groove and make the playoffs.

dash_pinched · 11-18-2015, 05:28 PM

November 30th, 2014 - Stamps win Grey Cup, Flames make playoffs in April 2015

I'm waiting until the evening of November 29th to make my call on this season

To Be Quite Honest · 11-18-2015, 05:31 PM

The Flames are done. They are out of it. Call the coroner.

If they WERE to make it, they'd be HUGE UNDERDOGS and I just don't think this team has it in them. They're going to be in the running for a lottery pick and there is NOTHING the Flames can do about it.

JJ1532 · 11-18-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by To Be Quite Honest

The Flames are done. They are out of it. Call the coroner.

If they WERE to make it, they'd be HUGE UNDERDOGS and I just don't think this team has it in them. They're going to be in the running for a lottery pick and there is NOTHING the Flames can do about it.

Like it, bit of reverse psychology. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone thats what you were shooting for.

Huntingwhale · 11-18-2015, 05:43 PM

20 games in and we are 5 pts out of a playoff spot. If we had 20 games left and were 5 points out, people would be making bold statements about us being so close that we have a good shot. I fail to see how being 5 points out with 62 games left should be any different.

I do think it's possible , especially given the division we play in. All it takes is a hot streak and were in. A losing streak for SJ or VAN and they are out.

It's my favorite thing in the world when some posters proclaim the season over after a loss. But the reality is we play in a sucky division. We also haven't even played PHX, LA, ANA or SJ. The results of those games will have a much greater impact then losses to the NYI or Habs ever will.

I'm not saying I predict the Flames will make the playoffs. But it's foolish to think they are out when they are only 5 points back with 62 games left.

Resolute 14 · 11-18-2015, 05:44 PM

We still have a chance, but we're going to have to play about .700 hockey within the division while at least keeping our heads above water against the rest of the league. Doable, but not easy.

driveway · 11-18-2015, 06:12 PM

The road to the playoffs for the Flames leads straight through one place: The Valley of the Shadow of Death, AKA The Honda Center.

We've got all 5 games against Anaheim left, and they are not the juggernauts everyone thought they were. They're suffering a similar statistical regression as we are, not winning all the one-goal-games they won last year. We're one point behind, and they have a game in hand, but we've got two more ROW than they do and one more outright win.

If we're going to make the playoffs this year, we need to go something like 4-1 against the Ducks. 3 of our 5 games against them are in Anaheim this year. It's the year to break the curse.

Property Manager DB · 11-18-2015, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I'm not saying I predict the Flames will make the playoffs. But it's foolish to think they are out when they are only 5 points back with 62 games left.

100% agree. Lots of hockey left to play but if I was a betting man...

Dion · 11-18-2015, 06:14 PM

getbak · 11-18-2015, 06:17 PM

If they break the curse next week, I'll believe they can do anything.

Cali Panthers Fan · 11-18-2015, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

We still have a chance, but we're going to have to play about .700 hockey within the division while at least keeping our heads above water against the rest of the league. Doable, but not easy.

FWIW the Flames absolutely owned their division last year. 22-6-1 for a winning % of roughly 76%. With Anaheim so much worse this year, it's entirely possible they do so again.

direwolf · 11-18-2015, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

FWIW the Flames absolutely owned their division last year. 22-6-1 for a winning % of roughly 76%. With Anaheim so much worse this year, it's entirely possible they do so again.

Agreed. Vancouver, Arizona, Anaheim, and of course the Oilers are all very beatable teams this season. The tougher games will definitely be against the Kings and Sharks. You'd have to think that breaking the Honda Center curse would be a huge emotional lift for this team. Hopefully the hockey gods are on our side this year when it comes to that god-forsaken building.