[GDT] Flames vs. Wild, 7 pm, SNW

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

There's a group of 40 engineers and their SO's going to the game tonight. Don't get caught in the dork!

That's probably like 38 or 39 engineers then.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by polak

It's a must-win to stay in a play off positon and thus, controlling our own destiny. The moment we're in 9th, we are at the mercy of the teams ahead of us, so to me, until we build up a cushion where we can lose a few and still be ahead of 9th, every game is a must-win.

They're playing a bad team and another team is hot on their heels for 8th. As a Flames fan for over a decade, I'm always weary about games like this. It will take more than half a season of inconsistent but encouraging play to erase those fears.

*wary

Not to be a dick but weary/wary drives me almost as crazy as your/you're.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Yes, I agree, if the Flames win all their games they will make the playoffs. Good point.

To that point, the Flames have lost 22 must win games already this year, but still managed to maintain a playoff position, remarkable.

I don't see what's so crazy about this notion?

If the goal is to make the playoffs, then anytime their play off contention is in question, it's a must-win.

I think we might just have a difference in opinion on the definition of must-win. Okay, yeah, if they lose the season isn't over, I get that, but if the goal is controlling your destiny and not having to rely on chance, then today is absolutely a must-win. If they lose, LA can pass them and they are no longer in control of their destiny.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

There's a group of 40 engineers and their SO's going to the game tonight. Don't get caught in the dork!

Hope one of them brings an extra SO so Hiller can have one.

[Jason14h]

I think we might just have a difference in opinion on the definition of must-win. Okay, yeah, if they lose the season isn't over,

A game at the half way point of the season is a MUST WIN? Hyperbole much?

I get that, but if the goal is controlling your destiny

You can't control your own destiny. By definition, if you believe in destiny, the game outcome has already been pre-determind. Winning or loosing this game is already part of the Flames destiny.

and not having to rely on chance, then today is absolutely a must-win. If they lose, LA can pass them and they are no longer in control of their destiny.

Actually, if they loose tonight and win every other game this season they are guaranteed a playoff spot because other teams play each other and can only earn so many points. So you are not only exagerating to a huge extent, your point is also statistically wrong

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by polak

I don't see what's so crazy about this notion?

If the goal is to make the playoffs, then anytime their play off contention is in question, it's a must-win.

I think we might just have a difference in opinion on the definition of must-win. Okay, yeah, if they lose the season isn't over, I get that, but if the goal is controlling your destiny and not having to rely on chance, then today is absolutely a must-win. If they lose, LA can pass them and they are no longer in control of their destiny.

Understood, but it's a little much. And what you said at the end there, is not correct at all, even by your extreme definition. If the Flames lose tomorrow, and LA wins on Saturday before we play the Oilers, we will fall out of a playoff spot. However, we will still be 100% in control of our own destiny given the teams a head of us still play each other a bunch, so they can't all get full points, and the Flames have games against those teams as well, which allows us to still be 100% in control, despite being out. Falling out of the top 8 doesn't = relinquishing control of your own destiny, especially this early on.

[DJones]

Must win is a bit extreme. If anything it's a must win for the Wild. They lose this and their season is all but done.

[polak]

I can understand why you might think it's a little much, but thats the way I look at my teams. I like to avoid having to rely on things "going right" as much as possible.

Hey, it makes the games more exciting.

[Mony]

It seems everyone defines "must-win" differently. I personally believe that this game is a must-win because we are currently in the last wild card with a chance of falling out if the Kings/other teams keep catching up. The must-win comes from the notion that the Flames should keep trying to create a bigger cushion as they work towards the goal of playoffs in April, 2 points tonight helps that and could potentially place them in one of those coveted division spots.

They need to beat the teams that are below them in the standings, simple as that. No disrespect meant to the Wild here, but the Flames can't afford to lose games to teams below them, especially the ones nipping at their feet. It's also why I considered the Buffalo game a must-win, and the Edmonton game on Saturday a must-win. It's not like the season will be doomed if we screw it up tonight, but every point counts. I think that's also what polak is trying to get across.

Let's just hope there's no controversial plays tonight, making for a "Scandellous" game

[GranteedEV]

To hit 96 Points, Flames need to pull out 41 points in the next 34 games.
IOW, a record of maybe 18-11-5

Is it a huge game against a worse team with a tough schedule next month? Absolutely.

Must-win? No, other than the big eight game losing stream they've won at a pretty consistent pace this season of around 4 or 5 wins in every 7. That means they're going to lose some games. They're 5-2 in the last 7, and a loss would pull that to...5-2 in the last 7.

The only must-win games this season are those that come after a loss. They can't afford losing streaks. Period.

[djsFlames]

I think it's a must win because of the degree of difficulty in upcoming games vs the ones they're playing now. For each likely Minnesota/Edmonton win, there's an equally as likely Boston/St.Louis loss next month. You HAVE to take the low hanging apples now, because they'll be much more of a reach for stretches next month. We have to build up at least a little cushion before mid February when we might sag a bit winning percentage-wise, simply because the quality of competition will mean more frequent losses, despite our quality of play.

That's what makes games like this so important. When you lose one of the 'winable' ones, then you have to take one more game from a much better opponent to make up for it. I hope they make it easier on themselves and take full advantage.

[PugnaciousIntern]

This is getting a little ridiculous.

Must = no other option.

"Nice to win" game is a better description. "Important" game, sure. A win would help. But until we are facing elimination, please for the love of god stop saying "must win". It's a product of media trying to hype up the importance of games, to boost their ratings. Unfortunately it's categorically untrue, and flat out annoying.

[GioforPM]

It's counter-productive if a coach tells a team it's a must win, and then they lose. What does he say then?

"well boys, remamber when I sayed that it was must win? I was honly kedding. It's tomorrow that's the beeg one."

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

There's a group of 40 engineers and their SO's going to the game tonight. Don't get caught in the dork!

SO? Are they taking their calculators?

[polak]

I can define Must Win however I please thank you very much. In my (admittedly overly dramatic) view, tonight is a must-win.

... ugh and I just remembered I agreed to go to a movie with the gf.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by polak

I can define Must Win however I please thank you very much. In my (admittedly overly dramatic) view, tonight is a must-win.

... ugh and I just remembered I agreed to go to a movie with the gf.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It's counter-productive if a coach tells a team it's a must win, and then they lose. What does he say then?

"well boys, remamber when I sayed that it was must win? I was honly kedding. It's tomorrow that's the beeg one."

When did Bryzgalov take over for Hartley?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Isn't every game a must win?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Just judging by the results against the top teams this year, I don't think there are many, if any, teams that we should "expect to lose" against. Each game depends on the level of preparation they put in beforehand, and how well they execute the game plan. The Flames are not an elite team, but they will surely not be easy points for anyone the rest of the way.

Parity is the norm in the league now. There are a couple of excellent teams in each conference, and a couple of awful teams. Everyone else could, and should be able to beat each other on any given night. Consistency is more important than anything at this point.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Just judging by the results against the top teams this year, I don't think there are many, if any, teams that we should "expect to lose" against. Each game depends on the level of preparation they put in beforehand, and how well they execute the game plan. The Flames are not an elite team, but they will surely not be easy points for anyone the rest of the way.

Parity is the norm in the league now. There are a couple of excellent teams in each conference, and a couple of awful teams. Everyone else could, and should be able to beat each other on any given night. Consistency is more important than anything at this point.

^ and goaltending down the stretch