[GDT] Chicago Blackhawks at Calgary Flames 7:00pm TV: SN360, NBCSCH - RADIO SN960

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I don't think they'll make it (and that's not a pessimistic view, or a hedge) but I'm enjoying the prolonged battle as long as I can, and hoping/happy to be wrong!

Agreed, I feel like right now has been our playoffs and it's been fun.

I also appreciate that they made a push and made these last few games relevant / exciting / interesting to follow. I personally think this team is much better than the results and they should be a lock for the playoffs so that has been disappointing but looking back, gotta give credit that they are at least making it interesting and not going down without a fight.

There's still a chance, but so much relies on tomorrow night, and the game tonight needs to be a win.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Agreed, I feel like right now has been our playoffs and it's been fun.

I also appreciate that they made a push and made these last few games relevant / exciting / interesting to follow. I personally think this team is much better than the results and they should be a lock for the playoffs so that has been disappointing but looking back, gotta give credit that they are at least making it interesting and not going down without a fight.

There's still a chance, but so much relies on tomorrow night, and the game tonight needs to be a win.

Adding to this, I think it is better for the future of the team to finish strong than to draft a few positions higher. Confidence is so important to success.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Agreed, I feel like right now has been our playoffs and it's been fun.

I also appreciate that they made a push and made these last few games relevant / exciting / interesting to follow. I personally think this team is much better than the results and they should be a lock for the playoffs so that has been disappointing but looking back, gotta give credit that they are at least making it interesting and not going down without a fight.

There's still a chance, but so much relies on tomorrow night, and the game tonight needs to be a win.

This is me. If nothing else, the run gives a bit of hope for next year. Very few things have to go better for them to be a PO team - just goaltending really - and if things go significantly better for 3-4 players they are a very tough team to beat.

[Smit]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Flames have lost by multiple goals 13 times. 64 times it’s been a win or a 1-goal loss, some of which they got single points out of.

Keep those cheap goals out of the net and no silly defensive breakdowns!

Of the 13 losses by multiple goals, how many were one goal games with an empty net?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by teeschaber

Markstrom basically had the night off the other night, I can see why they're going right back to him. He's the guy and in a must win game you need to play your top guys. I can see why the decision was made this way

Marky has a history of off nights when Sutter plays him too much.

[camm13]

I'm also on the train thinking that they don't make it. But at least they've made the last few games of the season mean something. Too little too late, if we've won even half of the games we lost in OT. We'd be in already.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

This is me. If nothing else, the run gives a bit of hope for next year. Very few things have to go better for them to be a PO team - just goaltending really - and if things go significantly better for 3-4 players they are a very tough team to beat.

Just even getting a reasonable amount of OT wins would have them firmly in a playoff spot.

[blankall]

Goaltending and posts really stifled the teams chances. Huberdeau was crap, but a lot of other guys stepped up. Really a shame. Feels like the Flames always have some of the pieces needed for a championship, but can't ever get them all going at once. Top line, depth, goaltending, and defence never seem to line up.

Anyways, it's definitely not over yet. Two wins in a row and the Flames become the favorites to take that last playoff spot.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Smit

Of the 13 losses by multiple goals, how many were one goal games with an empty net?

According to NHL.com, the Flames have scored one goal 6 on 5 this year, and scored 11 goals 5 on 6.

They have allowed 8 goals 6 on 5, and allowed three goals 5 on 6.

There is likely some time with the goalie pulled for a delayed penalty in there...

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Just even getting a reasonable amount of OT wins would have them firmly in a playoff spot.

Even with reasonable goaltending, a few games wouldn't have even needed OT to lose.

[Mass_nerder]

We've been losing these kinds of games all season because the team just hasn't been able to match the energy they tend to have against better teams. I'm hoping with our season balancing on the edge, this won't be a problem.

I guess pulling Markstrom on Sunday was more about resting him a bit when he wasn't looking sharp, in anticipation of playing back to back today and tomorrow.

[Enoch Root]

The Hawks have lost 8 in a row, being outscored 37-13 over that time.

Jump on them early and get a lead, and the Hawks will roll over. Then it can be a quiet night for Markstrom and Tanev.

(though we all know of course, that the Flames NEVER make it easy on themselves.)

Also, we have lost 2 in a row to them, which is outrageous, and needs to be rectified tonight.

[CroFlames]

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Every team is gassed. It is an 82 game marathon, they are all tired and sore as hell.

Yeah but the Flames are likely pretty drained emotionally too. Given how often they work their tails off to generate a goal, only to give it right back or have a goal against in the first 6 minutes of the game. It would seem that they have played a lot of high leverage hockey this season. I think that might have the Flames on fumes more than other teams.

That's why I was thinking that maybe you change it up and get a couple younger guys on the ice. But old Darryl knows a lot more than I do so I'll trust what he does.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Adding to this, I think it is better for the future of the team to finish strong than to draft a few positions higher. Confidence is so important to success.

If anything, the team/coach dynamic hopefully improves as a result of this late push.

Going into next year, we need the two big contract forwards to come to grips with what this coach is asking of them and show up ready to play.

But it's a little soon to talk about next year. Just win tonight.

And then a monumental game tomorrow night. And of course due to my own poor planning, I will be on a plane that takes off almost right at puck drop and will miss the entire thing.

[midniteowl]

Get outta our way Hawks!


Go Flames Go!!!

[Zulu29]

Just win

[skcli]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Yeah but the Flames are likely pretty drained emotionally too. Given how often they work their tails off to generate a goal, only to give it right back or have a goal against in the first 6 minutes of the game. It would seem that they have played a lot of high leverage hockey this season. I think that might have the Flames on fumes more than other teams.

That's why I was thinking that maybe you change it up and get a couple younger guys on the ice. But old Darryl knows a lot more than I do so I'll trust what he does.

They are drained because of the goalie situation. Cannot buy a goal then a softie by their goaltender. It is frustrating too.

[kukkudo]

Hawks aren't gonna screw up their chances at Bedard, I expect a full tank mode tonight. Flames with an easy W.