[PGT] Rags 1 Flames 5

[Locke]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

Lol... You don't have to care. That's the stated goal of the team.


I've been writing for a while on here that it seems to me that they have dug themselves a very deep hole - too deep in my view.


However, their schedule does lighten up and they have been doing better in the last few games.


It really depends on whether they string together a bunch of wins or go .500 over this stretch. If they go .500 over this stretch before the Florida trip then they are definitely a bottom team this year as the hole is too big afterwards in my opinion.

I mean...there is always the chance that they could pull a 'St. Louis' it just seems unlikely with this roster, but crazier things have happened.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

My guess based on the first couple games and how the schedule looked was they could be 3-9-0 after their first 12 games and looks like they will be pretty close to that.

I do think they start playing closer to .500 now or maybe a little better here in this next stretch. The opponents are easier but there are some gotchas in there. 3 back to backs with travel, some teams that have had their number (Ottawa, STL) and the tough trio through the SE USA teams to end it.

Say something like 8-7-2 over the next 17 games.

Which would leave them at 10-14-3 as of December 1 ... think that would probably have them pretty clearly out of the race at that point.

Yes, I agree. They are done unless they can get at minimum to an even points percentage by Dec 1. Of course, that is not nearly good enough but it permits the possibility to continue for another month or so at least. By the start of December, we will probably know if Conroy should start looking beyond Andersson for selling.


That is why I said that they really need to string some wins together in a hurry - if the team wants to be anywhere close to its goal.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Locke

I mean...there is always the chance that they could pull a 'St. Louis' it just seems unlikely with this roster, but crazier things have happened.

Oh, I agree. The odds are that they are done already. I'd be happy for a good draft pick and a chance at a potentially game breaking player.


If they win their next four or five in a row with their schedule looking more normal, then they really can still catch up. It doesn't have to be St. Louis yet. If they return to a normal NHL pace of a little better than .500 points percentage by Dec 1 then they are done.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

Oh, I agree. The odds are that they are done already. I'd be happy for a good draft pick and a chance at a potentially game breaking player.


If they win their next four or five in a row with their schedule looking more normal, then they really can still catch up. It doesn't have to be St. Louis yet. If they return to a normal NHL pace of a little better than .500 points percentage by Dec 1 then they are done.

It really depends TBH...if I'm the coaching staff I'd be giving the team some goals to work towards, because you can't dig out of this overnight.

If they can get to .500 by Dec 28, and then get into their really easy stretch in late December and January, then they have a shot.

This January stretch is actually extremely soft.

Bruins
Flyers
Predators
Kraken
Bruins
@Canadiens
@Bruins
@Penguins
@Blue Jackets
@Blackhawks
Islanders
Devils
Penguins
Capitals
Ducks
@Wild
Sharks

16 games. 1 back to back, 10 home games, 6 road games, only 3 playoff teams last year.

28 game between now and that stretch in January.

If they go 15-10-3 over that next 28 game stretch (.589 points percentage) and are back to .500 (17-17-4) at the 38 game mark, then that January schedule gives them a chance to get back into it.

Personally I hope they make some trades before they get to this point because I do think that January schedule is so soft that with the roster as it is now they will go on a win streak that gets them out of the best lottery spots anyways.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

If the Flames want to even say playoffs post November, then they really need to get onto a bit of a roll to even out things from this start. They end November with the annual (dreaded) Florida-Carolina trip. So, they really need to rattle off a bunch of wins starting soon.


Oct 28: @ Tor
Oct 30: @ Ott
Nov 1: @ Nsh
Nov 2: @ Phi
Nov 5: vs CBJ
Nov 7: vs Chi
Nov 9: @ Min
Nov 11: @ Stl
Nov 13: vs. SJ
Nov 15: vs. Wpg
Nov 18: @ Chi
Nov 19: @ Buf
Nov 22: vs. Dal
Nov 23: @ Van
Nov 26: @ Tam
Nov 28: @ Flo
Nov 30: @ Car

and only 2 games against the Canucks, Kraken, Ducks, Kings and Sharks.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It really depends TBH...if I'm the coaching staff I'd be giving the team some goals to work towards, because you can't dig out of this overnight.

If they can get to .500 by Dec 28, and then get into their really easy stretch in late December and January, then they have a shot.

This January stretch is actually extremely soft.

Bruins
Flyers
Predators
Kraken
Bruins
@Canadiens
@Bruins
@Penguins
@Blue Jackets
@Blackhawks
Islanders
Devils
Penguins
Capitals
Ducks
@Wild
Sharks

16 games. 1 back to back, 10 home games, 6 road games, only 3 playoff teams last year.

28 game between now and that stretch in January.

If they go 15-10-3 over that next 28 game stretch (.589 points percentage) and are back to .500 (17-17-4) at the 38 game mark, then that January schedule gives them a chance to get back into it.

Personally I hope they make some trades before they get to this point because I do think that January schedule is so soft that with the roster as it is now they will go on a win streak that gets them out of the best lottery spots anyways.

I agree with all of the above. It's just way too early in the season. However, I do think that your post and mine align in that the team really needs to start picking up points regularly starting this week and continue over the next two months. If they don't then the tankers should be getting their wishes and a number of players are likely traded in the New Year or sooner.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by BigThief

The Rangers are not a mid team, the 32nd overall team just beat the 28th team.

Skill wise they are at least mid...this was their first road L but they cant score at home despite some dominating games

[BACKCHECK!!!]

We may never lose again

[Tsawwassen]

Post game links
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...2-fd9b3d8a07ff
https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/game...rangers-flames
https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401802497
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/new-yo...boxscore-43220
https://deadspin.com/flames-halt-8-g...gling-rangers/
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgar...n-over-rangers