QOTD: Midway Point - Can the Flames play .600 hockey?

[Huntingwhale]

I don't think the Flames will make the playoffs. But at this point everything is just gravy this season. Already greatly exceeded expectations and the team has shown growth. That's all any of us can really ask. I expect them to walk the .500 line for the rest of the season but in the tough West, it won't be enough. I'd love nothing more then to be wrong, but that's my prediction and I'm sticking with it.

[Bunk]

Here's us at the halfway point against a safe assumption of 96 points mostly guaranteeing a playoff spot (that has been true the last ten seasons in the West, with it averaging about 92 or 93 points)



I think it can be done. We've been more streaky (mostly in a bad way of late) compared to the beginning of the season. We can see what the 4 game winning streak did to help reverse the 7 game pointless streak. We will need a couple good runs in the second half.

[mrkajz44]

The only thing that make me think they have a shot at making the playoffs right now is the fact that they win in the west and lose in the east:

West: 15-7-1
East: 6-10-2

They win against teams they are battling against for a playoff spot and giving up points to teams in the East. More games against the west too in the long run (I think, don't really know after they re-jigged the divisions to be honest).

[Erick Estrada]

I still believe they will end up drafting in the top 10. Totally fine with that.

[Locke]

Ugh, a .600 winning percentage is a tall ask.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

The only thing that make me think they have a shot at making the playoffs right now is the fact that they win in the west and lose in the east:

West: 15-7-1
East: 6-10-2

They win against teams they are battling against for a playoff spot and giving up points to teams in the East. More games against the west too in the long run (I think, don't really know after they re-jigged the divisions to be honest).

41 games left, 14 of which are against eastern teams

[Timbo]

No playoffs this year. But we show good progress going forward.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I still believe they will end up drafting in the top 10. Totally fine with that.

I'm with you. Even in the wins lately haven't been building my confidence they can pull it off. They were the better team last night, but second night of a back to back in a long road trip for Detroit

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Iniggywetrust

As much as I want the playoffs, this is a team that has gone 4-9-1 in their last 15 games. That's oilers bad.

or 12-11-1 in their last 25 which is no where near Oiler bad.
It's easy to make your point by just picking out the 8 game losing streak.

Even if we added 2 wins during that losing streak, we're right where we need to be. I don't see why they can't perform at a slightly better record over the next 25 games.

[FlamesAddiction]

I think it is possible at least. Going by talent, I think this is a 0.500 team, but they are capable of being streaky. Hopefully their next streak is a good one.

[icarus]

I think it's between the Flames and the Jets for a playoff spot. We just need to outplay Winnipeg for the rest of the season to get in and I think that's achievable.

[Resolute 14]

There is no reason why they can't, but adjustments are required for it to happen.

[Robo]

as long as the majority of our games are against the western conference we have a chance because man we sure can't win against the east anymore

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by icarus

I think it's between the Flames and the Jets for a playoff spot. We just need to outplay Winnipeg for the rest of the season to get in and I think that's achievable.

I don't think either make it. Dallas is pulling themselves together after a rough start and they've got a lot more talent than either Calgary or Winnipeg. Every other team currently in a playoff spot is a lock IMO, so swap the Jets and Stars and that's how I see things finishing

[Poe969]

I don't think we're going to keep playing as well against western teams because there are still a lot of teams in it and I think now we'll see a lot of these other teams make a push to try and make the playoffs (except the avs as they want to start tanking hard for a better shot at a high pick),

Anything is possible but this team just looks like they're losing more and more confidence as time goes on. Unless something drastic happens, I don't see them being a 500 team let a lone a 600 team.

[polak]

Nope I don't think so. Maybe a .500 team.

However, this team has shown that it's MILES ahead in it's rebuild than we thought which is a great sign. Realistically, if we don't make the playoffs next season after the progress we made this year, I would consider it a disappointment. Two seasons from now, we should be making moves to build a great team around our young core.

[heep223]

Coaching staff comes up with a "plan B" for when our stretch pass/system isn't working and adjusts on the fly (I think that's been our biggest problem in the last 15 games). Also Backlund, Colborne and Raymond find their strides. Johnny lights a fire under Monahan. Ortio actually ends up splitting time with Hiller, Ramo is traded at the deadline.

That's a lot that has to go right I know, but the Flames will make the playoffs to the wondrous delight of the city and Flames fans everywhere. CP crashes repeatedly. We get bounced first round but nobody cares.

[ForeverFlameFan]

We're a good second half team, but I feel that the losing streak in December is what's going to keep us from seeing hockey past the regular season.

[troutman]

For Dallas to make the playoffs, they have to go something like 23-14-6.

Minnesota has to do something like 24-15-5.

Bad starts really put you in the hole.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by troutman

For Dallas to make the playoffs, they have to go something like 23-14-6.

Minnesota has to do something like 24-15-5.

Bad starts really put you in the hole.

I think both teams are capable of that considering the talent on their rosters. That said they have to turn thing up sooner than later.