The Drive for 30th

[The Big Chill]

This race just keeps getting tighter. Philly, Nashville, Edmonton, and NJ have all lost multiple games in a row. A win tonight could see us leapfrog four teams. We really need to OOT scoreboard to start cooperating.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by GGG

The worst case is we finish 5 and lose the draft lottery to a team finishing 6 or worse and end up with the 6th pick.

At that point we are still guaranteed one of Monahan, Niskunan, or Lindholm. Which is not terrible. Fall into 7 or 8th is when you are back to 2nd line players.

I think WCS right now is we can still fall to 7th, and lose the lotto right?

[Split98]

As someone on here mentioned earlier, I find myself checking the standings daily as if we were pushing for a playoff spot.

As much as I HATE cheering for losses (I still instinctually cheer every win until I check the standings ), I need SOMETHING good to come from this terrible year.

So... go Colorado, NJ, Nashville... and yes... Minnesota.

[FlameZilla]

The most difficult thing for me is cheering for these no-hope teams at the bottom of the standings. So fracking frustrating.

Florida is as useless a team as I've seen recently (other than the Oilers, obviously).

I have a sneaking suspicion Colorado are tanking on purpose.

Tampa & Carolina have so much talent but no chemistry.

Let's get Irving up & Hanowski on the first line.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Let's get Irving up & Hanowski on the first line.

Hanowski in net, and Irving on the top line might give us a chance keeping up (down?) against these pathetic teams...

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Locke

I understand that, but if you're picking: Flames(lottery), Pens (25-30), Blues (15-25)

Then, take an expectation next season of a really bad Flames team and a possibly bad Blues team and potentially have two 2014 lottery picks?

Like I said, its a gamble, but I'd prefer it. Obviously we have no control because the blues may or may not make the playoffs, but ideally I'd rather have 2 firsts this year and 2 high firsts next year.

I don't think the Blues miss the playoffs next year. They started this year off terribly because they had two starters who were putting up crap numbers. They more or less sorted that out now and have been doing pretty good ever since.

I like the idea of two lottery picks, but I really don't see St. Louis doing worse next year than this year, they'll probably do better.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

This race just keeps getting tighter. Philly, Nashville, Edmonton, and NJ have all lost multiple games in a row. A win tonight could see us leapfrog four teams. We really need to OOT scoreboard to start cooperating.

The other night was a pretty good OOT, Carolina won, Tampa got a point. However the Flames won against Phoenix and Edmonton so all of that was negated.

With the Flames remaining schedule we'll probably only win another game, though the Wild haven't been playing that great so we could see 2-3 wins. If the Wild can beat us twice (I don't see it happening) and Nashville can beat us again (we broke their last losing streak), then we'll probably go 0-7. We also finish the year off with a 4 game road trip.

The one problem though is that now with all the kids in the line-up we are starting to play some good hockey, Reinhart has been a beast, Sven is putting up points and Backlund continues to shine. It's a catch 22 for this season, because I want them all to do good, but we need the losses as well.

A positive about the Eastern teams is that they all play each other. Carolina plays Philly and Tampa, but also plays Ottawa, Winnipeg and Islanders (possibly 5 wins). Tampa plays Florida and Carolina, with Winnipeg and Montreal as well. Philly is an anomaly because they should be a good team, but just suck. I would say they could beat any of their remaining teams, but somehow they just can't score this year (they have scored 3 goals in their last 4 games).

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

This race just keeps getting tighter. Philly, Nashville, Edmonton, and NJ have all lost multiple games in a row. A win tonight could see us leapfrog four teams. We really need to OOT scoreboard to start cooperating.

No kidding. Where it used to be a 3-horse race between the Flames, Avs and Panthers it is now turning into a 7-8 horse race as the Canes, Bolts, Flyers, Preds, Oilers and Devils are all suddenly tanking like crazy. Even the Sabres seem to be as close to a top5 draft pick as they are to a playoff spot.

Hopefully the OOT board will all come up "Flames" with the right teams winning for our draft pick run.

If the Preds win it is a double win for Flames fans!

[McG]

Oops double post.

[McG]

And can I just profess my sudden love of 3 point games for all of the teams around us?

I am living in opposite land right now!

All for the greater good.

[FlameZilla]

Six games left.

We have got to believe in ourselves. We control our own destiny, though a little luck wouldn't hurt. Obviously we keep an eye on the OOT, but ultimately the answers are in the room. We know that if we keep putting in these efforts, night-in and night-out, we'll be where we want to be at the end of the season. Those lottery draft positions are ours for the taking.

[StrykerSteve]

30th is out of reach, 29th is still a very definite possibility.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

30th is out of reach, 29th is still a very definite possibility.

Less likely, but certainly not out of reach. FLA has a game in hand on us

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Split98

Less likely, but certainly not out of reach. FLA has a game in hand on us

They have to gain 5 more points than us. Going to be tough...

[StrykerSteve]

With how horrible the rest of the teams are playing, they have just as good a chance to finish 30th as they do 23rd.

Scary thing is, one win at this point can now completely screw Calgary out of a top 5 pick, barring a lottery miracle. It's more stressful cheering for losses than it is for wins!

[Racki]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

30th is out of reach, 29th is still a very definite possibility.

I'm okay taking 30th out of the equation. Chances are the last place team selects Jones. I'm holding out hope for MacKinnon or Drouin.

[Ashasx]

Would Florida accept our 1st + Pens' first for their first?

[jaydub74]

Nashville is the key game. It's a must lose. We win, we pick outside of the top 4. We lose we stay on contention for a top 3 pick.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Would Florida accept our 1st + Pens' first for their first?

WAY too early to tell. For all we know, Nashville will finish 30th they way they're playing.

[Vulcan]

I don't trust this ping pong ball picking. I vote we do in it live on TV with Mitzi Dupree as part of the show.