[PGT] Flames lose 4-3 to Blackhawks

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

I didn't see it that way, out shot them 31-20. Vladar was bad and Mrazek made some big saves.

Sure they marginally outplayed them, the expected score about 2.5 to 1.8 I think.

At the end of the day, Calgary needed to outplay them by such a margin that a few bad breaks did not make the difference. But I agree that Vladar was the difference maker.

There is a reason he can’t be traded, it’s his performance and continuing cap hit next season.

[Bingo]

Bottom line pucks went in ...

But two off his defenseman and another odd bounce to the slot for the game winner. That's not the luckiest of afternoons.

I don't think any of the four were weak.

[Inferno]

The thing I didn't like is there was no killer instinct from the start. They should have been all over them looking to build up as big of a lead as they could and then once the third came along and they start to tire just run the clock out playing smart defense.

Instead they let them stick around expecting them to just wilt and got burned for it.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I mean they were 2 points out...are you using the "moneypuck" odds which are based on things other than the actual standings

they had the Flames at like 90% most of last season because of fancy stats

Well they are 2 points out of the playoffs, but that team they are trailing (Edmonton) has played 4 fewer games (and has also been playing above a .700 points % for like 30 games), and then the 1st place wild card team is 6 points ahead of the Flames.

And then ignoring all this, there are currently 3 teams between the Flames and the last wild card spot right now. They would have to leap frog 4 teams to make it in.

Does anyone really see this team as one that can go on a roll and accomplish that? 7% playoff odds seems about right to me.

[Voodooman]

You’d almost have to wonder if Lindholm would fake an injury to get out of the ASG selection. If he had any pride at all, he must know he shouldn’t be there.

Or is this where pro athlete self-delusion comes in handy?

[Karl]

Really hard to believe in this team achieving anything good this year.

Freaking sell off Lindholm, Hanifin & Tanev.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

Oilers media tweeting about the Flames losing to a roster that dressed 11 forwards with a total cap hit of $13.9m.

Sigh.

Oilers media and fans are obsessed with the Flames. Never seen a city and organization with a bigger inferiority complex. Did the Flames media tweet about the Oilers losing to the Sharks earlier in the year?

[Locke]

I said it in October.

Sell 'em all.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I mean they were 2 points out...are you using the "moneypuck" odds which are based on things other than the actual standings

they had the Flames at like 90% most of last season because of fancy stats

Pulled it from Bingo’s game takes after the Philly loss.

Feel free to argue a different number if you think it makes a difference, 7% certainly feels low. But 13th in the conference kind of speaks for itself.

I just find it incredulous to believe a team at this spot in the standings is getting caught by “trap” games. As I said, if you believe that seems like you’d have to believe that many of the team’s 14 regulation wins were trap games for the opponent.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Pulled it from Bingo’s game takes after the Philly loss.

Feel free to argue a different number if you think it makes a difference, 7% certainly feels low. But 13th in the conference kind of speaks for itself.

I just find it incredulous to believe a team at this spot in the standings is getting caught by “trap” games. As I said, if you believe that seems like you’d have to believe that many of the team’s 14 regulation wins were trap games for the opponent.

The Flames are a game below .500 40 games into a season where it's projected you need 93 points to get in (11 games over .500) and that will likely rise given how many teams are battling for that spot.

I think it's lazy by the media to say the Flames are two points out of a playoff spot.

That literally might be the case, but a slightly deeper look tells you the writing is on the wall.

They need to go 25-13-4 for .643 and a 105 point pace over 42 games to get to 93 points.

It's over.

(and it's not 7%, they lost 7% in the Philly loss ... they're at 17% now)

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Locke

I said it in October.

Sell 'em all.

This game really removes all doubt about selling being the best option.
Losing this game makes it feel like selling is the only option.

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The Flames are a game below .500 40 games into a season where it's projected you need 93 points to get in (11 games over .500) and that will likely rise given how many teams are battling for that spot.

I think it's lazy by the media to say the Flames are two points out of a playoff spot.

That literally might be the case, but a slightly deeper look tells you the writing is on the wall.

They need to go 25-13-4 for .643 and a 105 point pace over 42 games to get to 93 points.

It's over.

(and it's not 7%, they lost 7% in the Philly loss ... they're at 17% now)

Yup, that isn't happening.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The Flames are a game below .500 40 games into a season where it's projected you need 93 points to get in (11 games over .500) and that will likely rise given how many teams are battling for that spot.

I think it's lazy by the media to say the Flames are two points out of a playoff spot.

That literally might be the case, but a slightly deeper look tells you the writing is on the wall.

They need to go 25-13-4 for .643 and a 105 point pace over 42 games to get to 93 points.

It's over.

(and it's not 7%, they lost 7% in the Philly loss ... they're at 17% now)

While a 105 point pace doesn't actually seem all that daunting, there are only 7 teams in the NHL who are currently playing at that pace.

Factor in that teams chasing a wild card spot tend to start playing better down the stretch, that number is more likely to increase than decrease.

Plus if Calgary makes some trades, that will factor in big time.

As Bingo said, it is indeed over.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

This game really removes all doubt about selling being the best option.
Losing this game makes it feel like selling is the only option.

How many times does the same group need to slam into the same wall? Not directed at you, just an observation.

Sell. Them. All.

[butterfly]

It’s probably over but it doesn’t really change anything. I’ll still watch and cheer for the Flames to win and I still hope they trade the trade chips. Same as before.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by butterfly

It’s probably over but it doesn’t really change anything. I’ll still watch and cheer for the Flames to win and I still hope they trade the trade chips. Same as before.

Thats probably the best way to say it.

I want them to play hard and win what they can, but I dont want them to lock in more of these guys to....what? Hang on to this? This is awful.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Locke

How many times does the same group need to slam into the same wall? Not directed at you, just an observation.

Sell. Them. All.

We are headed straight for a worst case scenario unless this team commits to selling and trying again in 3 season.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

We are headed straight for a worst case scenario unless this team commits to selling and trying again in 3 season.

I feel bad for Backlund. Sure...he's going to make a lot of money, but he's hitched to this wagon now and its a bad wagon.

[Wastedyouth]

I don't know how management can watch the team and think "we have a chance".

They have to be full on delusional if they do. This team isn't even middling. They might be more fun to watch (who doesn't like high event hockey), but when you just look at fundamental hockey plays, quality of play, skill level, this team does not compare to ANY of the legit playoff teams.

This is a middling to bad team, who can play up to the competition but often play to their abilities, which isn't good.

How can anyone look at the UFAs and think they are guys a team NEEDS to have to be competitive. None of them move the needle in a good direction (Tanev moves it the most but he is on his last legs age wise).

Walk away and restart. It's just good business.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

I don't know how management can watch the team and think "we have a chance".

They have to be full on delusional if they do. This team isn't even middling. They might be more fun to watch (who doesn't like high event hockey), but when you just look at fundamental hockey plays, quality of play, skill level, this team does not compare to ANY of the legit playoff teams.

This is a middling to bad team, who can play up to the competition but often play to their abilities, which isn't good.

How can anyone look at the UFAs and think they are guys a team NEEDS to have to be competitive. None of them move the needle in a good direction (Tanev moves it the most but he is on his last legs age wise).

Walk away and restart. It's just good business.

!!

more to your point even if they squeaked into the playoffs they would just get gutted in the first round.