[Game Takes] Flames 5 Stars 4

[Bingo]

Flames 5 Stars 4

- Flames give up two two goal leads but win it in dramatic fashion
- two points each from Huberdeau, Kadri and Weegar
- both new Flames get points

'We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight!

[GioforPM]

Was Dube’s move a demotion? I can’t think of why he would have been demoted, versus Sutter wanting to play him at centre and shuffle Ritchie into the lineup higher than Duehr’s normal spot.

I actually didn’t think Dube had a great game, he was falling a lot for some reason. And of course nothing he developed was going to pan out on that line. I’d still like to see him with Huberdeau (he hasn’t had a single shift with him this year according to Dobber). He’s one guy who could accept a Huberdeau pass and rip it one time. Lindholm is another.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Was Dube’s move a demotion? I can’t think of why he would have been demoted, versus Sutter wanting to play him at centre and shuffle Ritchie into the lineup higher than Duehr’s normal spot.

I actually didn’t think Dube had a great game, he was falling a lot for some reason. And of course nothing he developed was going to pan out on that line. I’d still like to see him with Huberdeau (he hasn’t had a single shift with him this year according to Dobber). He’s one guy who could accept a Huberdeau pass and rip it one time. Lindholm is another.

I think when a player loses a spot on the top line, goes to the fourth and gets pulled off the powerplay he'll see it as a demotion.

Dube didn't get a lot done last night, but he was all energy and push, played physical. His line got caved in (as did Backlund's) but I thought he was good.

[Enoch Root]

I thought Huberdeau was dangerous all night. Pelletier continues to look good in all situations. As for Dube, I think Sutter wanted to put him at C, and the safest way to do that is on the fourth line where there is less pressure. If he stays there for a number of games, that will be different, but I don't read much into it at this point.

Maybe Weegar's best game as a Flame - certainly one of them

[Infinit47]

Barely got to see any of the game, but saw Huberdeau with a filthy behind the back pass to set Ritchie up all alone in front. Too bad Ritchie didn't convert, but nice to see Ritchie going to the right places with Huberdeau.

From the highlights it looks like the Flames beat Ottenger cleanly 4 times...so he is human and if the Flames sneak in they would have a chance against Dallas.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought Huberdeau was dangerous all night. Pelletier continues to look good in all situations. As for Dube, I think Sutter wanted to put him at C, and the safest way to do that is on the fourth line where there is less pressure. If he stays there for a number of games, that will be different, but I don't read much into it at this point.

Maybe Weegar's best game as a Flame - certainly one of them

Yeah Weegar was amazing. He's been solid all season, but impactful in that one.

[Lanny_McDonald]

A win is a win but still leaves us about seven points out. Really need the Jets to have an epic faceplant and the Flames need to get on a heater to have any hope.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

A win is a win but still leaves us about seven points out. Really need the Jets to have an epic faceplant and the Flames need to get on a heater to have any hope.

I see 5 to Colorado (they have games in hand) and six to the Jets who are in a bit of a free fall already.

Win tonight and it's 4 to Winnipeg and they have a tough schedule coming up.

Honestly can't see it happening, but it helps when you can see the path regardless of how difficult.

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I see 5 to Colorado (they have games in hand) and six to the Jets who are in a bit of a free fall already.

Win tonight and it's 4 to Winnipeg and they have a tough schedule coming up.

Honestly can't see it happening, but it helps when you can see the path regardless of how difficult.

don't forget Nashville, they are right in the thick of it too with games in hand.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I see 5 to Colorado (they have games in hand) and six to the Jets who are in a bit of a free fall already.

Win tonight and it's 4 to Winnipeg and they have a tough schedule coming up.

Honestly can't see it happening, but it helps when you can see the path regardless of how difficult.

I see nine to Colorado based on games in hand and winning percentage. They are even in games with Winnipeg and need to pass them in ROW to get the tie breaker I do believe. That means they are seven points back as they must be clear of Winnipeg to get in. Bottom line is the Flames have to out perform Winnipeg by seven points in the next 18 games and hope Nashville does not outperform them as well. Nashville having three games in hand means they actually project to 72 points based on winning percentage in even games, so the Flames have another team to vault past. It's a three-team race and the Flames are trying to reign in the other two. The trend is still 97 points to get in. Flames need 28 points in the last 18 games. Ten games above .500, so 12-2-4 or 13-3-2 or 14-4-0. That would be quite the heater to get on (.778 winning percentage) going into the post season and put the fear of god into anyone having to play them. It's a path, but a narrow one.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I see nine to Colorado based on games in hand and winning percentage. They are even in games with Winnipeg and need to pass them in ROW to get the tie breaker I do believe. That means they are seven points back as they must be clear of Winnipeg to get in. Bottom line is the Flames have to out perform Winnipeg by seven points in the next 18 games and hope Nashville does not outperform them as well. Nashville having three games in hand means they actually project to 72 points based on winning percentage in even games, so the Flames have another team to vault past. It's a three-team race and the Flames are trying to reign in the other two. The trend is still 97 points to get in. Flames need 28 points in the last 18 games. Ten games above .500, so 12-2-4 or 13-3-2 or 14-4-0. That would be quite the heater to get on (.778 winning percentage) going into the post season and put the fear of god into anyone having to play them. It's a path, but a narrow one.

For sure.

Just semantics then. I see it six out, but need seven to pass for sure. Just wouldn't have phrased it as seven out.

The Jets are on a 96 point pace so the Flames need 97. To do that they need to go 14-4-0. Can't see it.

So then you need the Jets to slide a few points, and the Predators not to become the new chase team.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

don't forget Nashville, they are right in the thick of it too with games in hand.

NSH is irrelevant IMO, simply because the only way the Flames are catching the Jets (or anyone currently holding a playoff spot) is if they go on a major heater. And if they do, they will blow by NSH along the way.

[D as in David]

If they're going to put Dube at C on the fourth line, I'd like to see Lewis - Dube - Duehr put together. Barring an injury, though, Lucic will play all of the remaining games.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

NSH is irrelevant IMO, simply because the only way the Flames are catching the Jets (or anyone currently holding a playoff spot) is if they go on a major heater. And if they do, they will blow by NSH along the way.

Exactly

And put better than I would have.

If Nashville is an issue then likely Winnipeg falls but Calgary doesn't win enough to get to that 94-97 points and be a serious challenger.

[GullFoss]

I liked Dubes game last night. Made the fourth line look like less of a liability out there. If Sutter wants to roll four lines - which he clearly does - then having a strong, fast, two-way center in between Lewis and Lucic is a good thing.

I see what Lucic adds, but he is slow AF and needs someone on his line to help compensate for that.

[Enoch Root]

MIN: +15
SEA: +15
COL: +13
EDM: +13
WPG: +11
---------------
NSH: +8
CGY: +5

11-4-3 gets them to +12

I think the Flames have to get to +12 at a minimum, maybe +13 or 14. If WPG plays under .500 the rest of the way, we have a fighting chance. If they play well, we need one of the other teams to absolutely shart themselves.

[Draug]

Seattle might collapse too. They were in a horrible mostly losing streak until their recent 4 wins in a row. So they are fairly inconsistent. Maybe they get back to losing this week.