Playoff pace and controlling our own destiny

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by AcGold

The question is how do we break through St. Louis' defense. If they are clogging the neutral zone and standing us up on the blueline you'd think dump and chase would be a solution but they'll just lean on us in the corners.

The Canucks probably thought the same thing last night.

I actually believe we'll get a point from the game - at least.

[Brewmaster]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Are people really worried about that oilers game??? That teams won 4 of 5 for the 2nd time this season, the Flames have done that 9 times this season, and the flames have beaten the oilers every time we've played (outscoring them 17-8). If the Flames lose that game it won't be because of anything the oilers did right, it will be because they failed to show up.

The worry about the Oilers game is motivation. The Oilers have not only been terrible themselves this season in the 10th year of a rebuild, but they've had to watch their long-time rivals have an unexpectedly great season in the 2nd year of a rebuild. This game is their one chance to get back at Calgary and that is likely a huge motivator for their entire organization.

Calgary will be looking ahead at the LA and Winnipeg games as their huge motivators, as those games will likely decide who gets to go to the playoffs. They will also be on the last game of a road trip which never makes it easy. I agree that the Oilers game should be a win for the Flames on paper, but there are some intangibles to think about there.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

The worry about the Oilers game is motivation. The Oilers have not only been terrible themselves this season in the 10th year of a rebuild, but they've had to watch their long-time rivals have an unexpectedly great season in the 2nd year of a rebuild. This game is their one chance to get back at Calgary and that is likely a huge motivator for their entire organization.

Calgary will be looking ahead at the LA and Winnipeg games as their huge motivators, as those games will likely decide who gets to go to the playoffs. They will also be on the last game of a road trip which never makes it easy. I agree that the Oilers game should be a win for the Flames on paper, but there are some intangibles to think about there.

Agreed, I think some people are overlooking the fact that the Oilers have nothing to play for anymore, except the possibility to spoil the Flames season. The Oilers play LA twice still, I wouldn't doubt if they just play dead in those two, and save their best game of the year for us. Much like San Jose will likely play their hearts out against LA if they can spoil their season.

[polak]

Nah I think the Oilers players will want to save as much face as possible and they're playing well so I'm sure they want to keep it going.

[MissTeeks]

Colorado Avalanche‏@Avalanche30s31 seconds ago

Coach Roy said that Reto Berra will start in San Jose and Anaheim and Semyon Varlamov will start in L.A. on the coming road trip.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Colorado Avalanche‏@Avalanche30s31 seconds ago

Coach Roy said that Reto Berra will start in San Jose and Anaheim and Semyon Varlamov will start in L.A. on the coming road trip.

That works for me! Thanks Roy!

[EldrickOnIce]

^ The way it should be. They want to see more of Berra, but play the #1 guy in games that count for teams in the race.
Well played, Mr. Roy.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

The worry about the Oilers game is motivation. The Oilers have not only been terrible themselves this season in the 10th year of a rebuild, but they've had to watch their long-time rivals have an unexpectedly great season in the 2nd year of a rebuild. This game is their one chance to get back at Calgary and that is likely a huge motivator for their entire organization.

Calgary will be looking ahead at the LA and Winnipeg games as their huge motivators, as those games will likely decide who gets to go to the playoffs. They will also be on the last game of a road trip which never makes it easy. I agree that the Oilers game should be a win for the Flames on paper, but there are some intangibles to think about there.

It's also the last game of the five game road trip. I think for Calgary it would be a little odder given that their home is just down the road from Edmonton, and it's not like they are flying back from the east coast. I find teams just want to get home and will go through the motions on the final road game. So far this year the Flames are 3-4-1 in those games. Calgary is also 6-1-1 at home on the first game back after a road trip. Let's cheer for those records to be 4-4-1 and 7-1-1 as of April 8th. The last two games look to be huge, but I'd be ecstatic if Calgary went into those two games with 96-97 points already. I may be overly optimistic, but could you imagine Calgary finishing with 100 points?

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

It's also the last game of the five game road trip. I think for Calgary it would be a little odder given that their home is just down the road from Edmonton, and it's not like they are flying back from the east coast. I find teams just want to get home and will go through the motions on the final road game. So far this year the Flames are 3-4-1 in those games. Calgary is also 6-1-1 at home on the first game back after a road trip. Let's cheer for those records to be 4-4-1 and 7-1-1 as of April 8th. The last two games look to be huge, but I'd be ecstatic if Calgary went into those two games with 96-97 points already. I may be overly optimistic, but could you imagine Calgary finishing with 100 points?

Those two points are crucial - no way will Hartley allow his team to be "going through the motions" in this game. Hopefully with a W it is the conclusion of a five game road trip where the Flames went 4-1.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by wretched34

The Oilers play LA twice still, I wouldn't doubt if they just play dead in those two, and save their best game of the year for us. Much like San Jose will likely play their hearts out against LA if they can spoil their season.

I think you're confusing Oiler players with Oiler fans. I doubt the players themselves care one iota the Flames are doing well and battling the Kings for a playoff spot. If it was up to the Oiler fans they would lose all but the Flames game to finish off the season.

[squiggs96]

Here we are on April 6th and the Flames are at 93 points in 79 games. The red snake is 0.512 points ahead of the black snake. Unfortunately that crappy blue snake way below only has 59 points. Somehow the Oilers are 6 points behind their last year's putrid pace where they ended up 3rd worst, only one point behind 2nd worst. Why is this unfortunate, you ask? Well the Oilers have been gifting points to everybody meaning 96 might not be enough. Heck, Darren Haynes tweeted the Flames could hit 98 points and not make it if things go completely wrong.

But I say no! Bunk created this thread to show that 96 points will be enough. My username has 96 in it. No team has missed the playoffs with 96 or more points. The Flames will not be that team. Tomorrow night a win puts them at 95 points with the final two games against LA and Winnipeg. The Flames control their own destiny. Let's watch them seize it.

I know it's asking a lot, but I wouldn't mind seeing the blue snake veer sharply uphill for the next three games.

[bubbsy]

the scary part for me is that the flames actually don't control their destiny. Need the jets and/or the kings to lose their game in hand, and then mathematically speaking, the flames do actually control their destiny.

As it stands right now, should the jets/kings win-out their remaining games, the flames are out regardless of how they do in their last three games, hence, not controlling their own destiny.

it would be nice to see the wild continue their strong play against the jets tonight and the oilers actually show an ounce of pride and show up for tonight's game after being outscored 12-2 in their last 2 games.

[Kickazzflames]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

the scary part for me is that the flames actually don't control their destiny. Need the jets and/or the kings to lose their game in hand, and then mathematically speaking, the flames do actually control their destiny.

As it stands right now, should the jets/kings win-out their remaining games, the flames are out regardless of how they do in their last three games, hence, not controlling their own destiny.

it would be nice to see the wild continue their strong play against the jets tonight and the oilers actually show an ounce of pride and show up for tonight's game after being outscored 12-2 in their last 2 games.

The fact that we play LA and Winnipeg means we control our own destiny. Those games will decide our season. We need to beat Phoenix just so we don't have to win both of those games.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

the scary part for me is that the flames actually don't control their destiny. Need the jets and/or the kings to lose their game in hand, and then mathematically speaking, the flames do actually control their destiny.

As it stands right now, should the jets/kings win-out their remaining games, the flames are out regardless of how they do in their last three games, hence, not controlling their own destiny.

it would be nice to see the wild continue their strong play against the jets tonight and the oilers actually show an ounce of pride and show up for tonight's game after being outscored 12-2 in their last 2 games.

Yes but if the Flames win their 3 remaining games, they are in and thus they do control their own destiny. This anomaly is due to the remaining games against the teams they're fighting with, technically all three teams control their own destiny. If any one team wins out, they're in. This was debated ad nauseam in another thread.

[theoforever]

Flames are controlling their destiny win the 3 games and you are in.

[polak]

Except to win out they have to beat us, so we are in control.

We lose a point and we lose that control.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

the scary part for me is that the flames actually don't control their destiny. Need the jets and/or the kings to lose their game in hand, and then mathematically speaking, the flames do actually control their destiny.

As it stands right now, should the jets/kings win-out their remaining games, the flames are out regardless of how they do in their last three games, hence, not controlling their own destiny.

The Flames play the Kings and the Jets in their final two games. If they win both of those they are in no matter what. They'd be at 99 points. Even if LA and Winnipeg win the other games, and both lose to Calgary in a shoot out, they'd all have 99 points. Vancouver could lose in OT to LA, win the other two games and finish 2nd in the division with 100. With all the above happening, Calgary would get still get the 3rd seed in the Pacific based on ROW. Winnipeg will lose all ROW scenarios and be out.

If Calgary wins out, there isn't a scenario where they can't make the playoffs. Hence, they control their own destiny. That's just math.

[polak]

Also... I'm going to start looking for a good "I told you so" gif to post in this thread.

pfft 96 points.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by polak

Also... I'm going to start looking for a good "I told you so" gif to post in this thread.

pfft 96 points.

Of course you are.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by polak

Also... I'm going to start looking for a good "I told you so" gif to post in this thread.

pfft 96 points.

I'm not so sure I'd pat yourself on the back too hard for the one thing you might be right on. There are many other things, not just in this thread, that could be brought up with equally hilarious gifs.