QOTD: Flames "out" again, where are nerves?

[Bingo]

This should help

a date sorted view of the difficulty of all games for all 5 clubs. Every game is in a heat map sort together (all games all teams) so the hot red is the toughest game, and the dark blue is the easiest game

[Winsor_Pilates]

Next 4 games will determine it for me. All winnable home games and if we can get at least 5-6 points we'll be well positioned.

With Vancouver vs Winnipeg and Vancouver vs LA still to come twice each; someone will be losing points. Flames just need to do their part and they'll get in.

[dammage79]

Cool as a cucumber. I'm likely one of the very few at this point in time that still thinks the playoffs are the cherry on top of this glorious sunday we have called this season.

I'm sure the team will be sorely disappointed if they miss the playoffs, as will a whole bunch of fans. But I'll reserve my disappointment for the next two seasons where they'll be stronger and more seasoned for a decent run.

[troutman]

The best chance to make the playoffs in the next 2-3 years might be right now.

Will be hard to repeat this record next year (all the 3rd period comebacks). You have to think DAL and COL will be better next year too.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

97 may be a lock but that means nothing if the Flames can't get 97 points. I realize you can't expect them to win every game but to get to 97 points the Flames have to take care of business and two losses in a row or more is not taking care of business as after every loss they have a game fewer to attain 96/97 points leaving them considerably less margin for error. Hoping that other teams collapse around them simply isn't a sound way to make the playoffs because even the Jets beat the Blues last week as they are taking care of business. It really looks like the Flames may need help from the Canucks which totally sucks.

All of that said. It really is house money and personally I feel them just missing the playoffs may leave them hungrier next season as opposed to having possibly a false sense of security that they made it.

I never said they would get there I just said stop worrying about the OOT so much

LA and WIN are barely .500 in their last 10 yet by the way people talk on here they are 10-0

Calgary lost a game with ridiculous travel and one against a top team at the top of their game. To throw in the towel now makes no sense

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by troutman

The best chance to make the playoffs in the next 2-3 years might be right now.

Will be hard to repeat this record next year (all the 3rd period comebacks). You have to think DAL and COL will be better next year too.

if they are somebody will be losing points...totals to make the playoffs are always in the same range...some teams surprise and some teams fall

honestly this year will be a high number to get in

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by troutman

The best chance to make the playoffs in the next 2-3 years might be right now.

Will be hard to repeat this record next year (all the 3rd period comebacks). You have to think DAL and COL will be better next year too.

Maybe

But I could also argue (bad term I know) that as the Flames younger players grow they won't need as many of those third period comebacks.

Anyways, I don't predict for next year. But next year will certainly have elevated expectations.

[Erick Estrada]

If the Jets make it they will earn it as they have that lone Edmonton game as an easy two points. All the rest should be contested.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This should help

a date sorted view of the difficulty of all games for all 5 clubs. Every game is in a heat map sort together (all games all teams) so the hot red is the toughest game, and the dark blue is the easiest game

This is a good visual aid for sure, but how are you ranking the games? It's not just opp win%.

[GirlySports]

hope LAs road trip will be disasterous

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

This is a good visual aid for sure, but how are you ranking the games? It's not just opp win%.

opposition situational win% ... if the Kings are at home hosting the Oilers its the Oilers road winning percentage. When they are in Edmonton playing the Oilers its the Oilers home winning percentage.

so toughest games on the list are playing in Nashville, followed by playing in St. Louis. Easiest game in hosting the Oilers, then hosting the Coyotes.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

hope LAs road trip will be disasterous

LA is 12-14-6 on the road so far.

[Slap_Shoot_the_Super_Shot]

It doesn't seem that long ago when Minnesota's coach was losing his mind in practice from the team's lack of effort and their constant losing; that feels like that was a different season and the way the Wild have been rolling the last month or so, it's hard to believe they were in such disarray earlier this season.

Of all the OOT scoreboard watching, this is the team that drives me the craziest. Dubnyk's masquerade has to come to an end eventually. There isn't a team I cheer more for losses for.

[GreenLantern2814]

Most of the year, I haven't thought they'll actually make it in. When Gio went down, I thought they were done. Since then, they've been awesome.

This team is making the playoffs. They were never going to go undefeated down the stretch. 95-96 points is VERY attainable with their remaining schedule. 97 or 98 is within reach if they get really hot, and has anybody ever missed the playoffs with that many points?

If any one of the top 3 D or Monahudreau go down, then we're probably effed. Not enough depth to withstand another major injury.

[SofaProfessor]

I think if they win 3 of the next 4 then they're right on track. Win 4 of 4 and they're laughing.

There will be dips and jumps all throughout the season. Minimize the dips, ride the jumps. No matter how the next 4 games go, though, the Flames will have to pull out a win against some hot teams like Nashville, St. Louis and the not as hot but always dangerous LA. And it shouldn't be any other way. Those are going to be the teams to beat in the playoffs and it's only fitting you need a couple wins against them to make it there.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by troutman

The best chance to make the playoffs in the next 2-3 years might be right now.

Will be hard to repeat this record next year (all the 3rd period comebacks). You have to think DAL and COL will be better next year too.

With another year of experience, a healthy Gio, anywhere from 30 to 50 games from Ortio, Sam Bennett, other moves etc, I would hope we don't need to rely as much on the late game heroics.

The enhanced stats crowd is right - long term, the comeback victories aren't sustainable. I'm confident in this team's ability to evolve into more of a frontrunner.

[DoubleF]

This will go to the wire.

The Flames keep giving false hope that they will run off in the point standings, but IMO, we might not know their fate until the last two games. I keep hoping we can get a definitive answer of in or not, but I really think that's not going to happen. Cardiac kids to the very end.

I don't think the wheels will fall off, but we might make or miss the playoffs due to a well fricken fought game at the last or second last game of the season.

Gio gone was supposed to be the firey spiral towards the ground. Didn't happen. Now we're screwed due to 1-3 points? No, no. This is like an F1 race. Tight, fast, precise and insane. Win a game, you're miles ahead. Lose one, find yourself a kilometer behind. Grab your pacemakers and defibrillator gentlemen and ladies. It's going to be a hell of a ride to the end. No pit stops for the weak bodied. It's going to be one colossal intense dogfight to the end. I suggest you shave your head to avoid pulling hair out if necessary.

This is exciting. This is awesome. This is Flames Hockey 2015. The year swearing increased tenfold.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by troutman

LA is 12-14-6 on the road so far.

They've also won 7 of their last 9 on the road since the start of February.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

97 or 98 is within reach if they get really hot, and has anybody ever missed the playoffs with that many points?

No. Never in the history of the NHL has a team missed with 97 points.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I wish I could pretend that I still feel like playoffs are a cherry on top king of thing, like dammage mentioned, but this far in, this close, I can't help but want it badly. I'm sure if they miss after a few days of coping, I'll look back and just be so thankful for how great they played and the fact that we were watching meaningful hockey right to the end of the regular season. So unexpected and a tip of the hat to this club for showing us what a team plays like, and that they are much more talented and prospect rich then people thoughts.

That said, I have to admit even with them dropping out after two loses in a row, I'm feeling confident. Those were two expected loses for me, and I've been so impressed with their play leading up to those loses. Took me a while to really believe this year, and just when I started, they went on an 8 game losing streak. Then they immediately followed that up with a great stretch and got right back in it. Since then, I really think they can do it and think they are playing well, but I do think it's going to come down to the very end, either way.