[GDT] Flames @ Oilers 7 p.m (MST) — SN: limp noodle BOA.

[868904]

Originally Posted by dino7c

If Calgary is alive going into that Canucks series at least it's in their hands. Montreal has won 4 of their last 13. The league tacked those games on because they though both teams would be long done....would be funny holding everything up. Loyd Christmas likes those odds.

We will probably see NHL game management at it's best during that series.

It's going to be either the Flames or Canucks and one team will have to sweep.

So the NHL will instruct the refs to favour the Flames in Game 1 to ensure they win and then favour the Canucks in Game 2 to split and then they can move on.

It's a no brainer for the NHL to prefer Montreal in so they can play Toronto. They might like having the Canucks make it cause then it's west coast / east coast plus it'd be a good Covid comeback story. But there is no way in hell the NHL wants the Flames to make it, especially not if it means "boring" Sutter hockey in the playoffs potentially knocking out the darling Leafs or McDavid.

It's done. Even if the players had the pride and balls to run the table, the NHL will not allow it. Everything is stacked against them.

[Calgary4LIfe]

One game at a time. Just beat the Oilers. If not to make the playoffs, but to salvage some self-respect. I do not enjoy the Oilers adding a win to the all-time season series.



As for making the playoffs, yeah, probably not going to happen, but it isn't over. Montreal is terrible. Calgary can definitely catch them still, as Montreal is that bad IMO. Still quite a long-shot, but a long-shot is better than no shot at all.

[soulchoice]

At this point, I genuinely don’t care if they win or lose tonight. However, I’ll enjoy it still, as this will be the only time in the next 3-5 years, at a minimum the Flames will be playing this late in April/May.

[Canada 02]

some decent questions from the media, and good insight on player development from Darryl

[Sylvanfan]

I'm sorry but this NHL conspiracy against the Flames is crap. The Flames players clearly didn't want to be in the playoffs badly enough and have played like ass for most of the season. If this was a 60 game season they likely finish behind Ottawa. I fully expect a mailed in 8-1 loss tonight.

Why would the NHL help a group of people who displayed little or no personal pride for much of the year?

[tvp2003]

The next two games are the only ones left on the schedule that matter.

GFG.

[OldSam]

Go Flames.

[flamingred89]

The Habs are utter trash. The only reason they're ahead of the Flames is because of the Bettman point. I can easily see them finishing the season 2-6. Which means the Flames would have to go 5-3. Both scenarios are very possible, but it starts with a win tonight.

[Timbo]

Please just smear the grease.

[GranteedEV]

I am very interested to see if Mangiapane can pull up the black hole that is Monahan-Ritchie

Okay, maybe only slightly interested.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I'm sorry but this NHL conspiracy against the Flames is crap. The Flames players clearly didn't want to be in the playoffs badly enough and have played like ass for most of the season. If this was a 60 game season they likely finish behind Ottawa. I fully expect a mailed in 8-1 loss tonight.

Why would the NHL help a group of people who displayed little or no personal pride for much of the year?

Hey I'm not blaming this season on the NHL. The players are most to blame period. Coaches and management get blame too. But it's the players and their lack of maturity that has resulted in this terrible season.

I'm just saying the NHL will prefer to get the playoffs going and that there is Game Management, that has already been proven this year with the officials.

[Puppet Guy]

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by 3rd liner

Never realized until seeing the stats this morning the Oilers are 29-16-2. I never would have predicted that going into the season with that roster. Credit to them. I mean, E still = no good, but they have done a heck of a lot better than I would have assumed. Some of their off season moves that I thought would help didn’t do much (Turris, Ennis), but Barrie has helped them. Other than the usual two scorers I guess it’s Nurse stepping up and the play of Smith.

IMO their record is overrated. They basically play playoff hockey when it comes to ice time all season long. They aren't afraid to play the big 3 forwards close to 30 mins any given night. Other than AO, their big 3 forwards are the only forwards in the NHL that get over 80% of their teams PP ice time. All 3 are just under 90% (AO is at 93%). Brock Boesser is next at 78%. Their big 3 are all up near the top in percent of total points on the PP and they are the top 3 in PP ice per game. Similar numbers can be said about Nurse as well. But when the playoffs roll around every team will increase their stars ice to match what the Oilers do all year.

Mathews and Marner are 2 examples of players who get much lower ice on the PP and both barely rank in the top 50 in points on the PP.

The Jets big guns also get a full minute per game less on the PP than the Oilers big guns do.

Early in a series I expect teams won't ride their best players like the Oilers do but the option is there late in a series that other teams can match what the Oilers do. I also just don't see how the Oilers can make it through 4 playoff rounds and potential long overtime games playing their big guns this much like they have since game 1 of the season. It will catch up to them and I bet if they distributed their ice time similar to most teams you would see a few less wins. IMO their record is very overrated. 9 and 0 against the Sens too.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

every game we win going forward decreases the chances we’ll get to draft anyone with recent game tape. It’ll truly be an unknown first round pick.

Having no idea about any of thr players and throwing a dart would probably yeild better results than historical first round choices by the flames.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by 868904

Game Management, that has already been proven this year with the officials.

I used to officiate a lot of minor hockey...at times you do tend to try and keep things even if the play is that way, and if you realize after that you screwed up a call, you might look to make one up. But that type of Management is within the game, it's not pre-planned.

But not once did I ever go into a game thinking I'm going to call the game this way to make damn sure Team A beats Team B. Which is what you seem to be insinuating.

The Flames and Canucks are both doing a damn good job of making sure those last 4 games mean nothing on their own.

[hwy19man]

Pregame links
https://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/pre...6&home=6&vis=3
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...ummary_17.html
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...review_17.html

[Groot]

Flames finish the last 8 games of the year at 5-2-1, finish with 56 points.

Habs finish the the last 8 games of the year at 2-5-1, finish with 56 points.

Canucks finish the last 13 games of the year at 6-6-1, finish with 54 points.

Flames take the 1st tiebreaker against the Habs.

Never say die, Go Flames Go.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

At this point, I genuinely don’t care if they win or lose tonight. However, I’ll enjoy it still, as this will be the only time in the next 3-5 years, at a minimum the Flames will be playing this late in April/May.

Then why bother? Seriously, if you think the team will be bad that long, if your outlook is that bad in your mind for a team you cheer for what is keeping you in the fold? I am genuinely curious.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Ya I know, it is discouraged to have hope and to cheer for this team to succeed on here yet here I am.

Success now accomplishes nothing

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I used to officiate a lot of minor hockey...at times you do tend to try and keep things even if the play is that way, and if you realize after that you screwed up a call, you might look to make one up. But that type of Management is within the game, it's not pre-planned.

But not once did I ever go into a game thinking I'm going to call the game this way to make damn sure Team A beats Team B. Which is what you seem to be insinuating.

The Flames and Canucks are both doing a damn good job of making sure those last 4 games mean nothing on their own.

I still think there's unintentional stuff where refs see a team pressing (which is usually a trailing team) and subconsciously expect a call to come.

If there's "keep games close" intentional management, you sure don't see it benefit Calgary.