I think the Flames can't afford to look at one team. Anything can happen on the road to the playoffs.
For instance, though many people were adamant that Vancouver's cup window was closed, who really predicted their incredible collapse down the stretch since 'the brawl'? I think we all thought they were going to make the playoffs rather comfortably. Dallas went on a nice run.
This year, we have 4 teams as of right now that are in a playoff position that most people were guessing would be closer to a lottery pick - Calgary, Vancouver, Nashville and Winnipeg. Though I don't like Winnipeg's chances at a playoff berth this year (but I do think they are trending up and should be a regular playoff team in the years to come), the other 3 teams have a 'comfortable' lead at this point in time. Can they keep it up?
Then you look at all the teams that are out of it now. Colorado - back down to Earth, or are they simply just having a tough time getting out of the gate so far? San Jose - they have been such a perennial playoff team, tough to count them out. Minnesota definitely has the talent and the depth, but they are not performing well at all. Dallas can still get it together, though I do think they were a bubble team to start the season anyways.
Anaheim is first in the west. They look like a sure bet to make it in. However, how long will Perry be gone for? Can they weather the storm if he is out long-term? Can their very young goalies play consistently well to take them into the playoffs? Vancouver has 8 easy points as others have mentioned already, but they have also been playing very well. They were 'lucky' to play Edmonton when Edmonton is playing so.. "Oilerish", but we all know the Oilers also like to go on a run and steal a few victories. They are about as easy as it gets, but there are no guarantees the Flames will beat them - especially with the added embarrassment of the Flames making their rebuild look absolutely stupid. If there are any games this year that the Oilers will try to win at all costs, it will be against Calgary.
Any team can go through a rash of injuries, bad luck, or just about anything (i.e. "the Brawl" for Vanvouver last year) that can plummet them in the standings. Every single team in the Western Conference is a big game for the Flames. There are a lot of very good teams that are just playing poorly at the moment, but I would bet they get it going and make this a very tough year (again) for teams to make the playoffs.
I bet in the next 20 games, those top 8 teams will look very differently. Flames just have to keep looking at every team as the team holding the 8th and last playoff spot, and the Flames trying to crawl into the picture. You let your guard down once, and it is a very quick free-fall down the standings. It is a huge battle to just maintain positioning.
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