QOTD: Are the Flames in trouble?

[Vinny01]

Not looking good at all. Really needed the extra points against Dallas and Columbus. What I really noticed let night is how much better the Wild were. It felt like we were getting totally outplayed from the get go. The Dallas game had a similar feel with the exception of chunks of the game where the flames were able to take over.

The loss of Gio is really starting to show. This team has surprised us all year but irbid getting to the point that they can only afford 1 more regulation loss and the way it is going I don't see them winning 6 of 7

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

We've lost four of five, and our direct opponents beat top opposition. An LA win today puts us three out with six to play.

Yes, we are in deep trouble.

My thoughts exactly.

[Yrebmi]

probably, but I thought they were done with Gio injury.
Hoping the surprise yet again, and then again, and again
Love this team

[dissentowner]

Voted for #3. You all suck.

[thymebalm]

I voted for A. But that doesn't mean I'm counting them out.

They are in trouble. They've fallen out of the playoff picture and were seriously outplayed by the Wild.

Destiny is probably still in their hands with games against LA and Winnipeg, but they are in a lot more trouble than they were before they dropped 3 of 4 points and all other teams added points.

[CroFlames]

Anything can happen fellas. I'm trying to be as positive as possible.

We ain't out, but we sure ain't in yet either. We just need to literally take it one game at a time, watch the OOT and see where we are. Heck of a journey so far, I hope the boys get rewarded with a playoff berth.

[polak]

Flames aren't playing poorly, we're just the weakest link unfortunately.

They still have the two games against LA and the Jets so if they can keep pace they have a shot but if those two teams keep playing like they are, and we keep playing like we are, those will be tough wins to come by.

If they lose more than 2 games I think they're toast.

[direwolf]

I voted for B. If the Wild can do us a favor tonight against the Kings, and if the Flames can get a win tomorrow in Nashville, things will look a little better as far as their chances. The upcoming game against the Blues is pretty much a guaranteed loss. But I still think they match up well against the other teams on their remaining schedule. It still might come down to those last two games against the Kings and Jets.

The tough part is that the Flames no longer control their own destiny. They're gonna need some help on the OOT to get in. And the chances of that happening are VERY slim. But I still have hope. GO FLAMES!

[Tron_fdc]

Nashville
Dallas
St Louis
edmonton
phoenix
Los Angeles
Winnipeg

We need 5 wins out of those games, including the last 2 to be a lock.

I don't know if the Flames have another gear; they looked tired or outclassed last night. The only way we do it IMO is with a hot goalie or a team (LA or Winn) has a bad game.

[Knut]

C !! I am an Optimist

A flames win over Nashville coupled with kings and Canucks loses tonight and the picture gets rosier all of a sudden. They will have to win that LA game at the end of the season and likely the winnipeg one.

Flames have gone on runs when least expected to all season.

NSH - W (2-0 against them this year)
Dal - W
St. Louis - L (hopefully OTL)
Arizona - W
EDM - W

Then it comes down to the final two games.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Hesla

C !! I am an Optimist

A flames win over Nashville coupled with kings and Canucks loses tonight and the picture gets rosier all of a sudden. They will have to win that LA game at the end of the season and likely the winnipeg one.

Flames have gone on runs when least expected to all season.

NSH - W (2-0 against them this year)
Dal - W
St. Louis - L (hopefully OTL)
Arizona - W
EDM - W

Then it comes down to the final two games.

This is exactly what needs to happen or I'd say game over.

[Tron_fdc]

Yeah F-it. I changed my mind.

We're still gonna make it in.

[ricardodw]

I thought they were done when Gio went down 14 games ago

The Flames were 33-24-4 and were tied for 7/8 with LA 3 pts behind Winnipeg and Vancouver and 1 pt ahead of Minnesota and 2 pts up on San Jose.

Still 3 pts behind Winnipeg and Vancouver and 1 pt behind LA but 6 Behind Minny

They have kept up to the big dogs to get to the point that they had absolutely no business being.

They got rid of Glencross and did not add anything to replace him. Management basically said they were not going for the playoffs this year.

All that said they are in a position that if they go on a tear they still can make the playoffs.

I think they have gone as far as Wideman and Russell can carry them. Wideman has played 27 minutes / game in March, Russell 26 /12.

Right now to make the playoffs they have to win their next game.

[hockey.modern]

If the flames somehow make it to the post season, how long is the break before playoffs start? We need one badly.

[FlamesAddiction]

Yeah, we are in big trouble for making the playoffs. Not just that we are on the outside looking in now with only a few games left, but the weaknesses of the team have really been showing while the teams we are fighting with have been turning it up.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Hesla

C !! I am an Optimist

A flames win over Nashville coupled with kings and Canucks loses tonight and the picture gets rosier all of a sudden. They will have to win that LA game at the end of the season and likely the winnipeg one.

Flames have gone on runs when least expected to all season.

NSH - W (2-0 against them this year)
Dal - W
St. Louis - L (hopefully OTL)
Arizona - W
EDM - W

Then it comes down to the final two games.

Its going to be tough, but if it was easy it wouldnt be any fun.

[Alpaca]

Most over achieving teams don't have the ability to 'step it up a notch' for the last few games in the stretch drive. They have been playing at the maximum for most of the season. The pedal is already to the floor.

[Buster]

I would be more optimistic if the observations from the recent games gave some hope. But they LOOK done/tired.

[Erick Estrada]

I always thought they would be the team to blink first but I thought they would hang around a bit longer as they look totally spent. They didn't play well on the homestead and last night looked like a team that needs a week off as they no longer even have that 3rd period push back that got them out of a lot of holes earlier in the season. They have played admirable since losing their captain but it appears it's caught up to them. Hard to get angry because it feels like they have been running with house money for months now.

Even with Gio I'm not sure they would have that next gear as there is a reason the Flames were picked at the beginning of the season to be McDavid candidates and that's because overall talent is suspect. You could really see it last night that the Wild was simply the more talented team and even the Stars a few nights ago were the more talented team. Hard work can only get you so far and every season going forward there should be an infusion of more talent while the young core players continue to get better with experience. Still lots to be happy about but it appears that it's maybe a little too soon for the playoffs for this group.

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

Not done yet ! I Boblieve !

not gonna be easy though .The Flames haven't quit all year so I refuse to quit on them GFG !