The Eternal Playoff Optimism Thread

[Robbob]

Important games tonight:

Nashville vs Dallas
Arizona vs Seattle

Tomorrow:

Chicago vs Calgary
Vegas vs Nashville
Seattle vs Vancouver

So much can happen before that tilt versus Winnipeg on Wednesday. I hate that our games against them is 3rd in 4 nights with travel. At lest they have been given that opportunity.

[JBR]

Go Dallas, Arizona, Vegas, Vancouver.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Robbob

So much can happen before that tilt versus Winnipeg on Wednesday. I hate that our games against them is 3rd in 4 nights with travel. At lest they have been given that opportunity.

It is what it is. I'd be mad if the schedule was made a month prior to each month, but it isn't. The Flames made their bed, and if they truly want to be one of the 16 teams that makes it to the big show then they have to win regardless of any obstacles/trials that come their way. Yeah, they'll probably be tired, but we need to see some continuous resiliency that we've seen this past week. They're playing some great hockey as of late and cannot push the brake pedal.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

It is what it is. I'd be mad if the schedule was made a month prior to each month, but it isn't. The Flames made their bed, and if they truly want to be one of the 16 teams that makes it to the big show then they have to win regardless of any obstacles/trials that come their way. Yeah, they'll probably be tired, but we need to see some continuous resiliency that we've seen this past week. They're playing some great hockey as of late and cannot push the brake pedal.

Correct. Every team has to play 3 games in 4 nights some times. Flames are not being asked to do anything that other teams don't do also.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Wpg: 8
cgy: 13

nsh: 14
cgy: 12

If Jets go 4-1 (only loss to the Flames) but won all the games in OT/SO
and Flames run the table 5-0, Flames would be in.

97 points each but Flames with 1 more RW (34 to 33)


In this scenario, Jets bring their magic number to 0 and do not make it in.
Calgary brings theirs to 1 and make it!

[Strange Brew]

For me, the OOT and magic numbers don't mean too much for next three days. It is all about the next two games for the Flames.

I guess a Preds loss would be nice, might take a little pressure off that head to head game.

[calgarygeologist]

I started to get excited about the possibility of both Wild Card spots being in play as Seattle has been slipping but then I looked at their schedule and they have Arizona x3 and Chicago once. It is tough to imagine giving up very many points in those four games.

[All In Good Time]

Vancouver is playing well, Arizona plays well at home, Vegas is battling for first. If Chicago pulls a rabbit out of their hat, there's a betters chance that Seattle only wins twice more this season (2 home games against Arizona).
Love this, its going to be an interesting finish to the season.....(I am aware that now that I've written this, Seattle and Winnipeg will run the table and this post will end up on the wall of shame...)

[CroFlames]

Mildly annoying the Perds and Jerts decided to wake up.

[bax]

Preds have had a good run here, but I’ve never viewed them as the threat. Missing Forsberg, Johansen, Parssinen, Duchene, Carrier, and Josi with upcoming games against Dallas, vegas, Carolina, Winnipeg, Calgary, Minny, and Colorado. Even if they go 5-2 I don’t think it’s enough to get in.

[Goriders]

Flames have been breaking through barriers in the last week.

I think the next one is scoring 10 in Chicago.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Need to get out of that game with a W with the smallest amount of energy expenditure possible.

That means no coming from behind. Get out in front early and then make sure the final 40 turns into two teams leisurely wasting time.

I would start Vladar. Seems obvious, but for some reason this was a debate last night on 960.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Flames have been breaking through barriers in the last week.

I think the next one is scoring 10 in Chicago.

If they only score 10 in Chicago I'd be surprised, since their goalies will be in Calgary.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Flames have been breaking through barriers in the last week.

I think the next one is scoring 10 in Chicago.

The last two games shouldn't have been 5-4 come from behind wins. They need to get better goaltending. Not elite ... just better.

By expected stats both games are 4-2 Calgary.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

If they only score 10 in Chicago I'd be surprised, since their goalies will be in Calgary.

Well, they're breaking barriers right?

[Vinny01]

Best case scenario they are 2 up on Winnipeg when we go to bed on Wednesday evening. It kind of feels like if the Flames can enter that game on Wednesday tied with the Jets whoever wins that game will make it. The Flames will be playing their 3rd in 4 nights where the Jets will be sitting at home feeling much better about themselves after their weekend on 2 nights rest.

[Manhattanboy]

Flames have played well against good teams recently including VGK and LA.

Not really worried about the Jets.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Flames have played well against good teams recently including VGK and LA.

Not really worried about the Jets.

But as we know by now, when we're not concerned is when we should be concerned.

I just hope they rest Markstrom tuesday so he's fresh. He's a different goalie rested.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Flames have played well against good teams recently including VGK and LA.

Not really worried about the Jets.

Second half of a back to back
Third game in four nights
On the road

Good time to catch the Jets sleeping! They will a tentative, nervous bunch and the Flames will be running on adrenaline.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by stemit14

If the flames beat Chicago and Winnipeg (in regulation), these would be the scenarios for the flames and Jets to finish the season with the flames ending up in that last playoff spot (not factoring in Nashville or Seattle):

-Flames go 3-0-0 to finish the season (and, therefore, finish the regular season on a 9-game winning streak). Winnipeg has to at best go 3-0-1 in their final four games.

-Flames go 2-0-1 to finish the season. Winnipeg has to at best go 3-1-0 or 2-0-2.

-Flames go 2-1-0 or 1-0-2 to finish the season. Winnipeg has to at best go 2-1-1 or 1-0-3. Incidentally, this is the scenario I see playing out for the flames and jets.

-Flames go 1-1-1 or 0-0-3 to finish the season. Winnipeg has to at best go 2-2-0 or 1-1-2 or 0-0-4.

-Flames go 1-2-0 or 0-1-2 to finish the season. Winnipeg has to at best go 1-2-1 or 0-1-3.

-Flames go 0-2-1 to finish the season. Winnipeg has to at best go 1-3-0 or 0-2-2.

-Flames go 0-3-0 to finish the season. Winnipeg has to at best go 0-3-1.

I may be mistaken, but...

If the Flames win the next 2 games in regulation they'll be 2 points up on the Jets, so the Jets will need 2 points plus the number of points the Flames get in their final 3 games.

-Flames go 3-0-0. Winnipeg needs to win out.

-Flames go 2-0-1. Winnipeg needs 7 points in their final 4 games.

-Flames go 2-1-0 or 1-0-2. Winnipeg needs 6 points in their final 4 games.

-Flames go 1-1-1 or 0-0-3. Winnipeg needs 5 points in their final 4 games.

-Flames go 1-2-0 or 0-1-2. Winnipeg needs 4 points in their final 4 games.

-Flames go 0-2-1. Winnipeg needs 3 points in their final 4 games.

-Flames go 0-3-0. Winnipeg needs 2 points in their final 4 games.