The Playoff Positivity Thread

[Vinny01]

Anaheim will be a welcomed opponent if we can win our last 2 games against them or at the very least win the road game against them. That team is beatable but they are in many flames fans heads (including mine). Their recent surge was completed with high end goaltending and luck as they were 27th ranked possession team during that time.

[Insane_Flame]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I'm in the same boat. I know everyone is scrambling to avoid the Hawks. But the Ducks scare me way more then the Hawk ever could, even with their recent cup wins. For the last 14 years, the Ducks have been our Kryptonite. Not the Hawks. We can at least beat them in their own arena.

I want a BOA. But I have this sick feeling we are going to have to play Anaheim on the road to start the playoffs. And that blows

I am sticking with my line of thinking of Calgary surpassing the Sharks, I have watched a lot of their hockey during this funk they are in and they are in disarray. With this scenario the Flames will end up in the 2 or most likely three position. So Edmonton winning is not ideal as it would mean a date with the Ducks in the first round. I cannot see SJ passing Edmonton at this point. So I would like Edmonton to win just enough to keep them in that 2 or 3 position and have the Flames TCB again the sharks and control their own destiny and finish in the 2 or 3 spot and have a date with the #$%face oilers.

[MillerTime GFG]

I'm probably in the vast minority, but I would actually say bring on the Ducks at this point. Not necessarily because I think they will win the series, though I think they could, but because why not tackle that curse head on?

Could you imagine the momentum we would have if we were to win that series heading into round 2?

[chedder]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I'm probably in the vast minority, but I would actually say bring on the Ducks at this point. Not necessarily because I think they will win the series, though I think they could, but because why not tackle that curse head on?

Could you imagine the momentum we would have if we were to win that series heading into round 2?

I'm selfishly hoping for the ducks as well, but only because we'll be down there when the series starts.

[Hockeyguy15]

I'm not a fan of the late starts when we play the California teams. Selfishly I would rather play Chicago or Edmonton so I don't have to stay up as late.

[polak]

Bring on anyone. You'll have to beat the best to win the cup anyways.

[Toonage]

The bring on anyone logic baffles me a bit.

A team doesn't have to beat the toughest competition in every round to win the Stanley Cup. If they can avoid a statistical nightmare of on opponent, why wouldn't they want that?

[polak]

Originally Posted by Toonage

The bring on anyone logic baffles me a bit.

A team doesn't have to beat the toughest competition in every round to win the Stanley Cup. If they can avoid a statistical nightmare of on opponent, why wouldn't they want that?

If they're as good as advertised you'll be playing them later or the team that was good enough to beat them anyways.

Sure you'd like to avoid it but the match ups are going to be a crapshoot with everyone playing each other and it's debatable who the Flames match up best against.

Blackhawks are agruably a better match up for the Flames than the Ducks. Say what you want about the Oilers, they did sweep us this year. Sure, the Sharks would be ideal but looking really unlikely.

Just clinch. The rest will take care of itself.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I'm probably in the vast minority, but I would actually say bring on the Ducks at this point. Not necessarily because I think they will win the series, though I think they could, but because why not tackle that curse head on?

Could you imagine the momentum we would have if we were to win that series heading into round 2?

The curse is regular season only. We actually won at the Honda Center in the 2015 playoffs. Plus, tackling things head on is great, but I'd rather do that in later rounds.

Take on Edmonton or San Jose in round 1, tackle the Ducks in round 2, see what we're made of against the Hawks in round 3 etc.

When people say things like "Bring em on, I say!!!" for teams like the Ducks and Hawks for round one, what they're really doing is mentally preparing for a very difficult first round match up. Of course no one wants the hardest match ups until later if they can be avoided.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by jayswin

The curse is regular season only. We actually won at the Honda Center in the 2015 playoffs.

Nope.

Last playoff win there for Calgary was 2006.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Nope.

Last playoff win there for Calgary was 2006.

Haha, turns out you're right! I thought we lost that series 4-2 with home and away win.

[Toonage]

No worries. I don't want to kill a positivity thread though, so I'll say that I honestly am pumped to see them play anyone and will park any worries at the door when the series begins regardless who it is against!

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Haha, turns out you're right! I thought we lost that series 4-2 with home and away win.

We were pretty close to it in Game 5 too IIRC, but couldn't hold onto the lead. Then they won in OT.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

One game into the second half of the season and the Flames wake up in a playoff spot. After coming back from a horrible start to the season the Flames have heated up, and so have the fans. with 40 games left in the season, it is easy to believe that if the Flames keep up this level of play they will make it into the playoffs.

Here is a thread where fans can gather good juju during what is sure to be an exciting last half of the season. This is a good place to believe in the Flames warts and all.

Good job CP! And thank you to Tsawwassen for the daily updates! Woohoo!

[Finger Cookin]

4 games left, and the most likely playoff opponents are (in order of most to least likely) Anaheim, Edmonton, Chicago, and San Jose. San Jose is obviously the most desired opponent due to their recent level of play, but also the least likely scenario. Anaheim doesn't have a regulation loss in their last 10 games, Edmonton has one, and Chicago also only has one.

It'll be interesting to see if any players are rested over these final games. While the playoffs are clinched, the seeding is still very much up in the air. Which leads me to believe the Flames will ice their best possible lineup the rest of the season.

[EldrickOnIce]

I say final game of season against Sharks determines who is 3rd in division and plays Anaheim, and who is wildcard and gets either Oil of Chicago.

[EVERLAST]

Can't believe the run the oil are on.

Let's win tonight boys.....the ducks looked average last night .

[greyshep]

Nice little April snowstorm today. My son took advantage of it. Figured this fits here...

[IMG][/IMG]

[hwy19man]

After Friday's games

Flames, Bhawks, and Kings won
Blues lost in the shootout
Sharks lost


1. Chicago (50-21-7) 46 ROW, 107 pts--first in the Central Division and clinched playoff spot

2. Minnesota (45-24-8) 42 ROW, 98 pts--second in the Central Division and clinched playoff spot

3. Anaheim (42-23-12) 39 ROW, 96 pts--first in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot
4. Edmonton (43-25-9) 39 ROW, 95 pts--second in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot

5. San Jose (43-28-7) 41 ROW, 93 pts--third in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot
6. Calgary (44-30-4) 40 ROW, 92 pts--fourth in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot
7. St. Louis (42-28-7) 41 ROW, 91 pts--third in the Central Division and clinched playoff spot

8. Nashville (39-27-11) 37 ROW, 89 pts--fourth in the Central Division
__________________________________________________

Los Angeles (37-33-7) 35 ROW, 81 pts--fifth in the Pacific Division


It's still nuts, the only position that is almost certain is the Bhawks hold on 1st place in the conference. The other 7 spots are still up for grabs, fasten your seatbelts because it's going to be a fun and exciting finish.

[hwy19man]

After Saturday's games

Predators won
Oilers won in overtime
Ducks lost in overtime
Wild lost


1. Chicago (50-21-7) 46 ROW, 107 pts--clinched first in the Central Division and clinched first place in the Western Conference

2. Minnesota (45-25-8) 42 ROW, 98 pts--second in the Central Division and clinched playoff spot
3. Edmonton (44-25-9) 40 ROW, 97 pts--first in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot
4. Anaheim (42-23-13) 39 ROW, 97 pts--second in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot

5. San Jose (43-28-7) 41 ROW, 93 pts--third in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot
6. Calgary (44-30-4) 40 ROW, 92 pts--fourth in the Pacific Division and clinched playoff spot
7. St. Louis (42-28-7) 41 ROW, 91 pts--third in the Central Division and clinched playoff spot
8. Nashville (40-27-11) 38 ROW, 91 pts--fourth in the Central Division
__________________________________________________

Los Angeles (37-33-7) 35 ROW, 81 pts--fifth in the Pacific Division


The Bhawks will finish 1st place in the conference. The other 7 spots are still up for grabs, fasten your seatbelts because it's going to be a fun and exciting finish.