[GDT] Flames vs. Wild, 7 pm, SNW

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by polak

It's a must-win to stay in a play off positon and thus, controlling our own destiny. The moment we're in 9th, we are at the mercy of the teams ahead of us, so to me, until we build up a cushion where we can lose a few and still be ahead of 9th, every game is a must-win.

They're playing a bad team and another team is hot on their heels for 8th. As a Flames fan for over a decade, I'm always weary about games like this. It will take more than half a season of inconsistent but encouraging play to erase those fears.

No. Not sure what you're smoking. We might be one point up for 8th (not in 9th place like you suggest), but we are also one point out of 2nd in the division. A 2nd or 3rd place finish in the division guarantees a playoff berth, no matter what anyone else does throughout the conference. Going 2-0-0 while other teams go 1-1-0 gives us that 2nd spot. It wouldn't take a crazy amount of play to get there. Just one more win than the 3 teams we are competing with. That's it.

[MissTeeks]

Calgary kid, Matt Dumba, playing in his first game in his hometown:

Michael Russo@Russostrib · 1h1 hour ago

It'll be Dumba's 1st game in Alberta. Dumba grew up in Calgary and played his junior hockey right up the road in Red Deer #mnwild


Michael Russo‏@Russostrib1m1 minute ago

Dumba calls first game in hometown "a dream come true." Said he called mom and said "see you tomorrow night. She was so confused." #mnwild

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by polak

Kings won yesterday so this is a must win so I'm guessing we lose...

Why are you always so negative?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by polak

It's a must-win to stay in a play off positon and thus, controlling our own destiny. The moment we're in 9th, we are at the mercy of the teams ahead of us, so to me, until we build up a cushion where we can lose a few and still be ahead of 9th, every game is a must-win.

They're playing a bad team and another team is hot on their heels for 8th. As a Flames fan for over a decade, I'm always weary about games like this. It will take more than half a season of inconsistent but encouraging play to erase those fears.

No the Flames are in 8th right now and in the playoffs, not that it really matters though, the point would be the same even if they are 9th.

There are way, way, too many games left in the season for isolating things down to a game by game basis. Nothing is perfectly singular in that what other teams do influence the Flames chances, but let's say at this point the Flames probably need to win 22 games between now and the end of the season to make the playoffs. It doesn't matter at all what order they win these games in. If the Flames lose tonight but win the next 3, are you going to look back and go, 3 of 4 is good, but damn, they lost that "must win" against Minny? Not a chance. Right now, if the Flames on average win 2 of 3 out of their remaining games, they'll likely be in. No game at this point can be labeled a must win given our position, especially against a team that is 7 points back of us. Must win is such an over used sports term, this is far from a must win.

[formulate]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Calgary kid, Matt Dumba, playing in his first game in his hometown:

Michael Russo@Russostrib · 1h1 hour ago

It'll be Dumba's 1st game in Alberta. Dumba grew up in Calgary and played his junior hockey right up the road in Red Deer #mnwild


Michael Russo‏@Russostrib1m1 minute ago

Dumba calls first game in hometown "a dream come true." Said he called mom and said "see you tomorrow night. She was so confused." #mnwild

The Dumba's are truly good people. I wouldn't be surprised if Mathew's father Charlie has played with, coached, or reffed a fair number of the CP community in minor or men's league hockey across Calgary.

Can't help but root for the guy in his first NHL game in his hometown. Maybe just a goal in a 5-1 loss?

[nmhen]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Funny, never said the Wild were a boring team anywhere, but somehow that came across. What I did mean to say was that playing the Wild was usually an ugly affair, lots of physicality and sloppy play. Not necessarily boring, but whatever.

I don't know about anyone else, but I was reacting to "Finger Cookings":

"Let's spend a good part of the day being thankful that the Wild are no longer in our division, so we are not subjected to watching them as often as we used to."

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by nmhen

I don't know about anyone else, but I was reacting to "Finger Cookings":

"Let's spend a good part of the day being thankful that the Wild are no longer in our division, so we are not subjected to watching them as often as we used to."

Agreed, them and the Coyotes are spectator nightmare games for at least a decade.

[nmhen]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Agreed, them and the Coyotes are spectator nightmare games for at least a decade.

Unreal.

[nmhen]

Looks like Dumba in, maybe for Folin. Or Prosser.

Per @russostrib:

"Suter is in. Yeo making it sound like if Dumba plays, it'll be for Folin. Wants Prosser due to PK role #mnwild."

[WhiteTiger]

I'm taking my dad to see this one, so I'm hoping for a great game and a huge win. Go Flames go!

[Poe969]

Question about Dumba; How's he doing? They're talking about him being in, I thought he was a highly touted player, is he not a regular?

[nmhen]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Question about Dumba; How's he doing? They're talking about him being in, I thought he was a highly touted player, is he not a regular?

He's doing fine. For a 20-year old defenseman.

That is to say, I think he's where he should be developmentally at his age. The Wild has been rushing their kids to the show the past couple seasons, and it has generally not worked out (Kuemper, Haula, Coyle, Zucker initially, etc). They're actually being pretty patient with Dumba, and while that has meant that we haven't seen him in St. Paul very much, it has also meant that he's been in Iowa getting 30 minutes a night in all situations.

[nmhen]

Russo on Dumba playing tonight, growing up there, etc.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/290220441.html

[mrkajz44]

Can we save the "must win" and "huge game" talk for the last week of March where it's appropriate?

34 games left, but this is a "must win"! Lose now and the other 33 don't even matter!! If they lose this "big game" it shows they are not ready for playoffs!!!

So much hyperbole in sports these days.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

No the Flames are in 8th right now and in the playoffs, not that it really matters though, the point would be the same even if they are 9th.

There are way, way, too many games left in the season for isolating things down to a game by game basis. Nothing is perfectly singular in that what other teams do influence the Flames chances, but let's say at this point the Flames probably need to win 22 games between now and the end of the season to make the playoffs. It doesn't matter at all what order they win these games in. If the Flames lose tonight but win the next 3, are you going to look back and go, 3 of 4 is good, but damn, they lost that "must win" against Minny? Not a chance. Right now, if the Flames on average win 2 of 3 out of their remaining games, they'll likely be in. No game at this point can be labeled a must win given our position, especially against a team that is 7 points back of us. Must win is such an over used sports term, this is far from a must win.

Notice how you said "lets say", "good chance" and "probably" a bunch of times?

That's where we differ in opinion. The only way to guarantee that we are in a playoff spot is to stay ahead of the teams that are chasing us. The moment they pass us, your hoping and assuming that "22 wins" will get us in. It's the same as assuming the 96 Point pace is what we need to make it and it doesn't really matter if those points come now, or in the last month of the season. Except for when we end up tied for the last play off spot with 96 points and we lose the tie break and all of the sudden all of your "probably" and "good chance" went out the window and we go another year without playoff hockey (which in fairness, was expected).

The only way to guarantee a play off spot is to stay in a play off spot. That's the bottom line to me and that's why, with LA being one point back of us, this is a must win. If we go on another tear and we're 6 or 7 points up on the last playoff spot, then I'll say we're not in "must-win" mode.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

Can we save the "must win" and "huge game" talk for the last week of March where it's appropriate?

34 games left, but this is a "must win"! Lose now and the other 33 don't even matter!! If they lose this "big game" it shows they are not ready for playoffs!!!

So much hyperbole in sports these days.

Every game is a must win, ergo no game is a must win.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by polak

Notice how you said "lets say", "good chance" and "probably" a bunch of times?

That's where we differ in opinion. The only way to guarantee that we are in a playoff spot is to stay ahead of the teams that are chasing us. The moment they pass us, your hoping and assuming that "22 wins" will get us in. It's the same as assuming the 96 Point pace is what we need to make it and it doesn't really matter if those points come now, or in the last month of the season. Except for when we end up tied for the last play off spot with 96 points and we lose the tie break and all of the sudden all of your "probably" and "good chance" went out the window and we go another year without playoff hockey (which in fairness, was expected).

The only way to guarantee a play off spot is to stay in a play off spot. That's the bottom line to me and that's why, with LA being one point back of us, this is a must win. If we go on another tear and we're 6 or 7 points up on the last playoff spot, then I'll say we're not in "must-win" mode.

Yes, I agree, if the Flames win all their games they will make the playoffs. Good point.

To that point, the Flames have lost 22 must win games already this year, but still managed to maintain a playoff position, remarkable.

[GioforPM]

If it's a must win game, and then if they lose, it's full tank mode correct?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by nmhen

Granted this Wild team is bad, and their play less-than-inspiring, but if you really think this team is the same as the Lemaire teams you had to suffer through when we were in the same division, you're not paying attention.

I enjoy watching the Wild now. But it's hard for people to forget all of those 2-1 or 1-0 snooze-fests. 8 times / year.

[PaperBagger'14]

There's a group of 40 engineers and their SO's going to the game tonight. Don't get caught in the dork!