Is this a playoff team? - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Textcritic · 11-05-2014, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFlamesFirst

...The players aren't stupid, they know how they match up skill wise against other teams...

Which explains why they play with the confidence that they do. The Flames are more skilled than most observers and fans are willing to recognise. They are not just grinding games out, they are legitimately proving to be quite good at moving moving the puck and creating opportunities in the offensive zone.

I'm so tired of the narrative that has developed about the Flames as some rag-tag collection of ham-fisted troglodytes with hands of stone. They are better than that. Much better.

Wastedyouth · 11-05-2014, 03:51 AM

So far, this season mirrors identically with the Leafs season last year. And we all know how that ended.

The bottom will drop out soon and we will be laughing at ourselves for even considering playoffs.

I'd just enjoy it while it lasts.

wired · 11-05-2014, 04:38 AM

I hope so, but in any case, its fun watching this version of the team. Not many dull games.

Lanny_McDonald · 11-05-2014, 05:35 AM

I still don't see this team being a playoff team. They're fun to watch, but I just don't see them sticking with the big boys in the west. Sweep a western swing and I'll be a little more convinced.

Geeoff · 11-05-2014, 05:58 AM

I think it's important to note that there are powerhouse teams below us in the standings that are sure to get on a roll.

Cali Panthers Fan · 11-05-2014, 06:26 AM

They are a playoff team IMO. I've seen the things that held them back from the playoffs last year become rectified this year, namely goaltending and holding on to leads. We also added a dynamic offensive catalyst in Gaudreau. Even injuries haven't slowed them down (knock on wood).

They play like a playoff team, period. Expectations be damned, they're a good team.

The only way they don't make the playoffs is if their play falls way off the map and they lose the culture they've created over the last season plus.

Yrebmi · 11-05-2014, 07:02 AM

The Leafs are a good cautionary tale, but far from a perfect comparable.

I like that the Flames are still rolling despite important injuries.

The standings looks real good under league setting, but not so hot if you switch to divisional or wildcard view. To hold on to 3rd in our division means we have to stay ahead of two of LA, SJ, or Van. (assuming Ducks don't falter) That's a tall order. Failing that we are in the mix for those final two wildcards - and I believe barring more major injury we will be - but it's gonna be tight competition.

GioforPM · 11-05-2014, 07:10 AM

The Leafs were winning games off good offence which masked really poor defence. Then the chickens came home to roost. The Flames have been outshot a few games, but I wouldn't say they have bad D.

nfotiu · 11-05-2014, 07:10 AM

I will be convinced if they start winning at home. They have a road record that translates to a first place team. They have a home record that translates to a top 5 draft pick. The road record is not sustainable, but if they can start winning at home and stay at least decent on the road, then I think they really do have a chance.

EldrickOnIce · 11-05-2014, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Which explains why they play with the confidence that they do. The Flames are more skilled than most observers and fans are willing to recognise. They are not just grinding games out, they are legitimately proving to be quite good at moving moving the puck and creating opportunities in the offensive zone.

I'm so tired of the narrative that has developed about the Flames as some rag-tag collection of ham-fisted troglodytes with hands of stone. They are better than that. Much better.

Simply on the basis of that exquisite phrase, I'm on board. They are much better than that.
Flames have a legitimate threat to make the playoffs.

GioforPM · 11-05-2014, 07:19 AM

The 89 Flames had a few guys with pretty high skill level - but mostly a lot of guys with decent skill and lots of smarts. A good balance. That's where this team is headed, if they continue to develop the kids.

alan21 · 11-05-2014, 07:20 AM

I just don't think they can sustain their play for the full 82 game season and be consistent enough just yet. They're showing signs of going the right direction though. Which is more than the rebuilding rebuilders up north can say.

Poe969 · 11-05-2014, 07:22 AM

I think they should embrace what people think or thought of them, and it looks like they have. They seem to play just about every game like it's a game 7 and they'll do anything to win, they punish the opponent at every chance they get and most importantly they'll make the sacrifice for the team. They're not the most skilled team in the league and they don't have the "big name players" (well it looks like they do but people just don't realize it yet) but they're getting it done.

I will openly say I thought this was a bottom 3 team but they're playing like a top 3 team right now. I voted I don't care if they make the playoffs because just watching this team play is better then it has been in years.

Erick Estrada · 11-05-2014, 07:22 AM

Nope. Some of the teams below them right now haven't hit their stride and they will. It's a marathon not a sprint and the Flames are getting a lot of breaks right now which will eventually end. That said the points they are getting right now count and it's going to depend on if they can stay afloat in winter months of January/February where some teams hit the wall and skid. Still I don't believe they will make it but it's a lot more fun watching a team start to see strides in their rebuild as opposed to say the Oilers where they just keep losing.

Street Pharmacist · 11-05-2014, 07:41 AM

2 things:

1) The Flames are not this good. There will be corrections, but how much? Granlund isn't a PPG rookie. Jooris doesn't go from better than average college/minors player to a PPG nhl star. There's some enthusiasm, hard work and lots of luck going on. Does that mean though that we lose too many? I don't know, but we're not 3rd in the league. In the flip side, I don't think anyone would put us with Buffalo, etc now.

2) I keep reading how we have so much to prove to be a playoff team. More than half the teams in the west make the playoffs. That means that one team that is worse than average makes the playoffs. In fact, Dallas lost more games than they won and made it (40-31-11). The flames only need to be 5 games over .500 points pct for the rest of the season (68 games) to match that. Let that sink in. That's 32-27-9 or playing at .537 pace. Quite doable considering they've played at a .643 pace.

madmike · 11-05-2014, 07:42 AM

If I was forced to pick a yes or no, I'd take no. They haven't played the strongest teams yet and their goaltending is likely to revert down towards the NHL average at some point.

That said, I'm very happy with how the team has played - especially given the injuries and the large number of road games to start the season. The young forwards are making more of an impact than I expected them to make this year.

And Brodano has been just sick so far. I'd expect them to tail off a bit as well - maintaining the pace they're on seems tough. But who knows.

rubecube · 11-05-2014, 07:45 AM

Some things to consider here:

- Since the 04-05 lockout (excluding the shortened season), 71% of teams sitting in a playoff position on November 5th have made the playoffs

- The Flames currently sit in fourth place in the conference. Since 2005-06 season, teams sitting 4th or higher in their conference have made the playoffs 75% of the time.

- Right now the Flames sport a goal differential of +9. Since 05-06, there have been five teams (05-06 Carolina, 06-07 Pittsburgh, 07-08 Philly, 10-11 Detroit, 13-14 Montreal) on November 5th with a +9 GD. All five of those teams made the playoffs.

- The Flames are ranked 6th in the league in GD. Since 2005-06 teams in the top six for GD (as of November 5th) have made the playoffs 83% of the time.

- In case you think those numbers skew in favour of the guys at the top, teams ranked 6th on November 5th have made the playoffs 7 out of the past 8 seasons.

I'm not saying the Flames are definitely a playoff team, but you wouldn't be an idiot for putting down a bet on them to do so.

Cali Panthers Fan · 11-05-2014, 07:50 AM

So it's just me and Aaron Ward that believe, eh? I'll try not to be too smug around here when they make the playoffs then.

the_professsor · 11-05-2014, 07:59 AM

I'd like to see more samples against the Western powerhouses first. I think the Flames style of speed and hard work is a good recipe for Eastern Conference teams, and I'm not surprised we're coming away with points against them.

So far the Blues and Hawks have man-handled us, and we have a lot of games left against them + Kings/Ducks/Sharks. I'm not yet convinced that out-working these teams is enough to compensate for the gap in talent

Salt Water Cowboy #10 · 11-05-2014, 08:05 AM

I want playoffs, but it's hard to imagine that happening when you look at who's behind them in the conference standings. And most teams have games in hand on the flames too. Look at the schedule from February on. Could be a rough couple months depending in many variables. I have a glimmer of hope right now, but the Flames will have to sustain their record for the most if the season. Way too early to tell if they make it.