QOTD: Does an unexpected 4 game road win streak wipe out hte 8 game losing streak?

[Vinny01]

I said yes because after this tough road trip I am a believer again. Prior to the 8 game slide I was really starting to believe we were that surprise team this year. The losses piled up and I thought we were coming back down to earth but going 8-3 since has me believing once again. Especially since it is 5 in a row on the road against tough opponents. A 6 game honest and awaits the team after the break where there are some winnable games that can really help the team get into the top 3 in the pacific

[Scoutski]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I didn't agree with "nope, makes a new skid more likely", but I'm not quite at "evens the scales". Its somewhere inbetween at this point for me. They've been good since the skid, but they need to keep up this play if they want to contend. I wouldn't say the losing streak has been completely wiped out, but its great to see the guys have put that behind them.

This is pretty much spot on, it may be that they've done the damage to themselves already and we just don't know it yet. Optimistically though, the future is in their hands, and I will remain positive.

[debil]

Partially. As someone mentioned in the discussion i was nearly sure we're done regarding playoffs but after this we're back at wildcard position.

The issue is that we played better hockey in that losing streak than in this 4 games.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Nothing in my mind can ever get "wiped out", as it will always have impact, but going 8-3 since has certainly got them "back to where they were" before the skid, which is just sitting inside the playoffs.

But you can never wipe it out. Even if they'd just been average over the 8 games (4-4) we'd be second in the division and very comfortably in a playoff spot. In fact I think the convo would be more about competing with the Ducks for the division right now versus can they make it.........so you can never get those points back and our reality is reflective of it (which is fine, it would have been crazy to think Division champs were possible this year, so playoff dog fight is still way above expectations).

On a bright note, what 8-3 post streak does prove, is that mentally, the team has responded and is clearly not shaken, and will not be shaken by the skid in the future, no long term mental damage to the team was done, which is very huge for such a young club.

[Erick Estrada]

Worst part of the losing streak was that they were all regulation losses so they went 0 for 16 points.

[polak]

They're very streaky. I'm still leaning towards us missing the playoffs but the fact that this is even a discussion this year is great.

If they can tie together a few of these streaks again and avoid any long skids then they could very well make it however, I think they will lose 3 or 4 after this again like they have been since the streak.

[Caged Great]

They needed to build themselves a cushion to close out this month. Two of the four opponents they play in January are easier (Buffalo/Edmonton) and two are good (Anaheim/Minnesota).

They need to get 5 or 6 points out of that.

Next Month they play

Jets (T-8th)
Sharks (T-14th)
Penguins (T-8th)
Sharks (T-14th)
Kings (17th)
Canucks (13th)
Bruins (T-14th)
Wild (22nd)
Ducks (1st)
Rangers (11th)
Devils (26th)
Islanders (3rd)

Out of all those games, only the Devils game is easier, even the Wild game is a tough one because they are a good team. It's a month from hell. If they even win half of that month they'll be a prime position to charge for a playoff spot. Having as many points in the bank as possible before dry period occurs will be helpful. (March and April are push overs in comparison competition wise)

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Weighted seems fair in the 20-60 game range, as it does take into account performance to date in the season. When there's <20 games played or to go, I prefer to check the 50/50 results.

The Pacific is shaping up to be Anaheim way in front, Phoenix and Edmonton way behind, and the other 4 teams battling for 2-3 spots. If we can get our act together on the next Eastern road swing, I like the Flames chances.

To me there's 2 things that concern me. One, the flames have a losing record against the East. Secondly, the flames are not playing their best hockey right now but are somehow coming away with wins

[Psytic]

We are being bouyed by a hot goaltender again. If we can some how pick right the rest of the year rotating all 3 then we have a chance. I dont feel we are outplaying most teams. We seem to get shellacked every game and once the opposition tires out, we come back in the third. We arent always going to have better condtioning then the other team, and we aren't always going to make it to the third tied or only down a goal. We need better possesion numbers.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Already been alluded to but that streak is what we'll look back on if we miss the playoffs. 1, 2, 3 pts out of 16 is bad enough but that could be the difference between 8th and 9th at the end of the season.

That said, we gave ourselves a big enough of a cushion to keep ourselves in the hunt even when we lost 8 straight. And we're now bouncing back in a big way as well.

At the end of the day, if we were to make the playoffs we're probably right where we should be so I guess some ups and downs are to be expected. Especially given the growing our team is doing and has yet to do, being a young, developing team going through a rebuild and all.

I didn't vote though as to me, negating the streak is whether or not we still make the playoffs. The question sort of implies it IMO and, again, if we don't make it the 8 game losing streak is likely what we look back on as a primary reason why.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

To me there's 2 things that concern me. One, the flames have a losing record against the East. Secondly, the flames are not playing their best hockey right now but are somehow coming away with wins

Nothing concerns me, mainly because if they get in, wonderful. If they don't they did better than expected and will still wind up with a decent 10-15 draft pick, while at the same time taking big youth movement steps with Monahan, Jooris, Gaudreau, Granlund, Ortio and Brodie. Then there's Poirier, Ferland, Sven, Wotherspoon on the farm, Bennett probably in junior, Shore still untested but probably a keeper. Backlund's still youngish. The Flames maybe some added prospects or picks for one of the goalies, or UFA Glencross.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

This run and recent additions has brought some questions. Many that will have to answered very shortly.

On a rebuilding team, don't see how you can demote Ortio until he has back to back stinkers. This likely will happen, but when? What do you do with 2 other 'Tenders for the time being?

This team got where it was from unexpected goaltending early on and Gio + Brodie becoming Seabrook and Keith.

If they can keep the goaltending up, they can make the playoffs. Question is who will be the tandem!?!?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Worst part of the losing streak was that they were all regulation losses so they went 0 for 16 points.

The loss against Vancouver was in OT, so 1 point...Still not good.

[Enoch Root]

I think it's silly to cherry pick parts of the schedule and give them more weight than others. It's an 82 game schedule and every team has strong periods and weak stretches.

But since we're having this conversation, the question was: does it wipe out the losing streak? I think to answer that, you can't just look at a few games, you have to look at its effect on the season.

On Dec 5th, before the losing streak started, the Flames were 3rd in the division and 4th in the conference (after an incredible 11-4 run).

Since (including the slide), they have gone 8-10-1 and are 4th and 8th respectively.

So have they wiped out the slide? No, not quite. But more to the point, they have righted the ship and proved that the slide was an aberration and that they are still a factor in the playoff race. So in that sense, yes they have because the slide has not had a permanent, or fatalistic impact on the season.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Nothing concerns me, mainly because if they get in, wonderful. If they don't they did better than expected and will still wind up with a decent 10-15 draft pick, while at the same time taking big youth movement steps with Monahan, Jooris, Gaudreau, Granlund, Ortio and Brodie. Then there's Poirier, Ferland, Sven, Wotherspoon on the farm, Bennett probably in junior, Shore still untested but probably a keeper. Backlund's still youngish. The Flames maybe some added prospects or picks for one of the goalies, or UFA Glencross.

Totally agree. I meant "concerns me" from a making the playoffs point of view

[Enoch Root]

I agree with Cali that goaltending has been the deciding factor in each segment of the season - good at first, while thy played well, weak during the slump, and good again to pull them out of it. Whether or not they make the playoffs will depend on the goaltending they get the rest of the way.

[Flame19,289]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Worst part of the losing streak was that they were all regulation losses so they went 0 for 16 points.

Right. And the Flames have "given up" points to the Sharks & Kings over the last two games. Regulation wins would be preferable against the Western Conference.
At least most of the regulation losses during the 8-game streak were against Eastern Conference opponents.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I would say no, it just softens the blow. Went with option two as it fit best.

[DoubleF]

All aboard the emotional roller coaster! More ups and downs for men than a viewing of The Notebook.

I'm thinking we need 8 wins to neutralize the 8 losses for .500 hockey.

But beyond watching standings, almost every other aspect has been a treat to monitor.

[Enoch Root]

Here's my problem with isolating the streak...

If you do, you also have to look at the team outside that streak. Taking it out, the Fames are:

25-11-2

Does anyone here think the Flames are a .684 team?

No, because you can't just look at parts of the season. You have to take all the games together, and doing that, they are an 8th place team to this point.