QOTD: Are they in? March 10th Edition

[Flashpoint]

Those past 100 games we had Gio.

They've broken my heart too many times before.

[nfotiu]

I have a feeling it is all going to come down to the last 2 games against the Kings and Jets. And if it does, then we as fans at least had a very entertaining season and lots to looks forward to next year.

[Bingo]

This had to be painful to write for an Edmonton writer
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...oubters-wrong/

Yes, there is no way this Flames team could be anything more than a lottery team. Anyone who knows anything about the game could have told you that.

(Gulp.)

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Thor

I just have a bad feeling about 94 points being the key, I think 96 or even 98 will be the magic number this year.

Considering that has never happened in the history of the NHL, I disagree. 96 has only happened once, in 2010-11.

I think 95 will do it considering we own the tie breaks.

We in!

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Remember in the spring of 2004 when the word "playoffs" was banned until we clinched? We probably should do that this time around too.

I'm older and less superstition now!

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I have a feeling it is all going to come down to the last 2 games against the Kings and Jets. And if it does, then we as fans at least had a very entertaining season and lots to looks forward to next year.

This

Flames have already won this year. The exponential growth in young players from having played an entire season in the mix is a generational win, that has forever altered this rebuild.

[skudr248]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Remember in the spring of 2004 when the word "playoffs" was banned until we clinched? We probably should do that this time around too.

Excellent idea!

[Street Pharmacist]

It's probably my "don't expect much and you won't get hurt" nature, but I'm a little worried about the way they're playing. Every win streak seems to be stated by a game or two you deserve to win but don't. Every losing streak begins with a game or two you won't but don't deserve. Seems like we've got the latter (I get the last game was technically a loss, but still)

[polak]

As much as I want to believe, I'm a pessemist. Either way, I'm extremely happy with how the Flames have played this season and the fact that they're even in this race still is amazing. I can't wait for the next few seasons.

That being said, every team seems to be keeping pace and the fact of the matter is, the Flames have the least amount of talent and experience out of the everyone in the race. Add the fact that we keep setting ourselves up to lose (I honestly can't remember the last time we played an entire game with a lead?) and despite the fact that we've been able to overcome that so far, I think our luck will run out.

We either need to stop falling behind every single game or we'll fall out. I'm going with "We'll fall out" since years of disappointment has trained me to expect that.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by polak

As much as I want to believe, I'm a pessemist.

Really? You?

Cheer up polak. Life really is fun.

Flames have defied all odds this year and will continue to do so into the post season.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Igster

Really? You?

Cheer up polak. Life really is fun.

Flames have defied all odds this year and will continue to do so into the post season.

Oh I'm cheery and I am stoked about this team. I just can't turn off my brain which keeps yelling that this is too good to be true. They keep scraping by but that's not a strategy that inspires confidence.

We are back at home though. That might change everything.

[bubbsy]

Season is already a huge success for this franchise, particularly if this is not a blip but rather a stepping stone in the group's progression.

i voted no however. As we get down this stretch, the games are so much harder to win. You have teams jockeying for home ice, playoff spots. Even the teams that are out go on their oileresque runs where with no pressure guys start stringing together wins against anybody.

the flames game has actually been pretty bad, even over the past tremendous road trip. They have gotten points/Ws, inspite of their play. I'm not an advanced stat guy at all. Just watching the games the flames get pinned in their own zone and look shorthanded for large chunks of the game, and are playing from behind way too much.

Come backs are awesome, but as the games become more and more meaningful it will be tough to continue this trend.

The big trump card in all this is goaltending, as we saw on this roadtrip. If ramo/hiller are 1st stars of the game, it could be the foundation to a strong finish over the final 15 or so games.

[Gaudfather]

CP sentiment about the Flames making the playoffs is interesting. Seems to be much more "fear of being left at the altar" than there is "blind faith" that they will find a way in.

Bottom line - there really is no downside for Flames fans at this point, but it does seem to me that destiny is bidding them into the playoffs this year - so put me in the "blind faith" camp.

[DoubleF]

I don't know what the outcome will be (I am optimistic though), but I do know the road will be littered with blood, sweat and magic along the way.

[goaliemaskguy]

I feel like Randy Quaid in Major League 2, short of calling them bums (although they could turn the Dome into a parking lot).

Sitting in the stands, refusing to believe, and will celebrate wildly when it happens.

That said, I voted yes, I need some optimism in my life today...lol

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think all of us are happy with this season, but playoffs would just be the icing on the cake to all of the naysayers.

When was the last rebuilding team that made the playoffs?

[jg13]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I think all of us are happy with this season, but playoffs would just be the icing on the cake to all of the naysayers.

When was the last rebuilding team that made the playoffs?

Do you consider Colorado last year a rebuilding team?

I would just on the fact they picked 1st overall.

[Tron_fdc]

I fully expect them to lose a few games, get written off, and then come from nowhere to make it interesting.

We've been doing that all season long, why stop now?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Seems to be much more "fear of being left at the altar" than there is "blind faith" that they will find a way in.

And the consolation prizes - guys like Timo Meier, Oliver Kyllington, Brandon Carlo, Jeremy Roy, Zach Werensky and Travis Konecny (or in some miracle, McDavid/Eichel/Marner/Hanifin/Provorov/Strome) sure don't make that a horrible situation to be in. This isn't like the Sutter era where we'd already have traded our 1st round draft pick by this point in the season and it was playoffs or bust. We came into the season with every option as being a successful season. Be the worst team in the league and get a generational talent. Be a bubble team and show improvement and get the city buzzing again about the upward trend. Or make the playoffs and be relevant again.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This had to be painful to write for an Edmonton writer
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...oubters-wrong/

I hate all the usual comments at the end that the "Flames have no talent" and they are just a bunch of scrubs that work hard.

Brodie and Gio are top 10 d-men in this league. Russell is extremely under-rated, and Wideman is somewhat under-rated. That is 4 very good d-men.

We have three good NHL goalies, and some teams don't even have one.

There is some elite talent up front too - Hudler, Johnny, and Monahan. Backlund is a very useful player. Good leadership. Great fitness and speed. Great depth throughout the organization.

10 players with 10+ goals, likely to rise to 12 players.

This is not smoke and mirrors, and the future will be even brighter.