The Eternal Playoff Optimism Thread

[OptimalTates]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Flames are now in control of their own destiny against NSH,

Uh no they aren’t? Even if the Flames won every game they would finish with 97 points.

Nashville, if they win out, can finish with 100 points. Of course these are mutual exclusive events since they play one another, but even if the Predators lose to the Flames they can still earn 98 points, something the Flames can’t do.

They aren’t in control of their own destiny.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by カナダ人です

Am I the only one more concerned about Nashville than Winnipeg? Nashville has 2 games in hand, and might get some momentum from that big win in Boston. 8/9/10 could easily end up Nash/Cgy/Win...

I wasn’t worried about them until last night. They are missing their 3 best players in Forsberg, duchene and Josi. Have to admit last night was a huge win for them.

[Vinny01]

Flames beating the hottest team in the league on the same night the Jets are blanked by the leagues coldest team. 3pts to overcome with 7 games left and 1 head to head. Pretty crazy that Saturday morning the Flames needed to make up 7pts to get ahead. Flames best SJ then LA and the Jets lose to LA and then SJ and now we only need to make up 3

[Strange Brew]

We are at the point in the season where SOS means next to nothing. Teams like the Bruins have nothing to play for and teams like the Coyotes get to play without a care in the world.

But doesn't matter, it's close enough that this in fact achievable. I will feel much better once they actually control their own destiny though and not have to gain ground.

Thursday night will be interesting. By then we'll have had Preds/Penguins, Jets/Wings and Flames/Canucks, anything could happen.

[Robbob]

Epic night was epic in the way it turned out. Both Flames and Jets don't play till Friday. Nashville plays Pittsburgh tomorrow in a game Pittsburgh needs to stay ahead of the teams chasing them, especially if Florida beats the Leafs tonight.

Going to be some scoreboard watching.

[Buff]

I've been saying for weeks that the Jets won't make the playoffs. I'm still not sure about the Flames. Nashville is who I've been paying attention to. They came out with a huge win last night. Who wins in Boston? This season only teams that rhyme with Boston win in Boston.... the Predators didn't get that memo... maybe the entire team should be checked for PEDs.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Epic night was epic in the way it turned out. Both Flames and Jets don't play till Friday. Nashville plays Pittsburgh tomorrow in a game Pittsburgh needs to stay ahead of the teams chasing them, especially if Florida beats the Leafs tonight.

Going to be some scoreboard watching.

Yeah, Pittsburgh will be very motivated.

Side Bonus: Tkachuk and the Panthers miss the playoffs. Sad Tkachuk.

[Bingo]

Jets on a 93 point pace, Nashville 91

For Calgary to get to 94 they need to go 5-1-1.

That's not easy, but they've actually eked out some breathing room with the Jets sputtering.

[TheIronMaiden]

They could also go 4-0-3 to get to 94.

[Goriders]

The games between Cgy, the Jets and Nashville will determine who gets in IMO.

The game against the Jets will probably be for all of the Flame’s marbles.

[ReinhartonD]

Two games left against the Canucks who've been winning against a pretty weak schedule but also have beaten some good teams might be a worry, but I don't think so. Teams like Dallas have been resting guys and playing their backup against Vancouver, while we've got
Toffoli, Tanev, Markie and Stecher all with grudges to show these clowns what they gave up--might be some money on the board those games and I think we'll see four points our way.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Flames: @Canucks, vs Ducks, vs Hawks, @Jets, @Canucks, vs Preds, vs Sharks

Jets: vs Wings, vs Devils, vs Flames, vs, Preds, vs Sharks, @Wild, @ Avs

Preds: @Penguins, vs Blues, @Stars, vs Vegas, vs Hurricanes, @Jets, @Flames, vs Wild, vs Avs

Flames have the easiest schedule, but can't afford to lose. Jets have the best split between home and away games and have a three point cushion on the Flames. Preds have a tough schedule but have two games in hand that put them slightly ahead. All teams are roughly playing at the same clip. No one can afford to make a mistake. Will likely come down to the games against the Jets and Preds, and then the Jets vs Preds game being the deal breaker (no three point game please). If only this team had been better in 3-on-3 we wouldn't be subject to this stress.

[Strange Brew]

Points pace:

Jets: 92.9 points
Preds: 92.1 points
Flames:90.7 points

It's still uphill, Flames have to play their very best hockey over final 7 games. Probability wise, that would seems unlikely but Markstrom's play is what gives me hope.

[pseudoreality]

It is crazy to think about it, but we could still end up with a BOA playoffs in the first round.

[jlh2640]

Nashville had the emotion of what’s going on in their city. I don’t think they are a real threat to anyone with the injuries and overall team depth. We will see. Flames need to win their games and not worry about other teams. Because if they don’t go on a run. They won’t make it.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Points pace:

Jets: 92.9 points
Preds: 92.1 points
Flames:90.7 points

It's still uphill, Flames have to play their very best hockey over final 7 games. Probability wise, that would seems unlikely but Markstrom's play is what gives me hope.

A hot streak from Markstrom at this time of year would be just what's needed. It might be good for him as well to be a hero at the end of the season after all his struggles throughout the year.

[TheIronMaiden]

It should be a fun 2 weeks of hockey.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Jets on a 93 point pace, Nashville 91

For Calgary to get to 94 they need to go 5-1-1.

That's not easy, but they've actually eked out some breathing room with the Jets sputtering.

If you factor in the head to heads, then the Jets and Preds have a potentially lower point pace. Obviously this analysis relies on the Flames winning the head to heads.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

It should be a fun 2 weeks of hockey.

Yup, couldnt as for a better last 4 games to finish the season, too.

Wpg
Van
Nsh
SJS

[Johnny Makarov]

Don't forget teams might start resting stars before the playoffs. So the Jets vs the Wild and Avs to finish the season might be a bit concerning.

that said, the Jets have been resting their stars for the past 2 months.