QOTD: When will you consider this a playoff team?

[Bandwagon In Flames]

We've barely played Edmonton yet. That's 10 free points right there.

Playoffs, yes.

Originally Posted by Rick M.

The top teams crank it up late in the season. Will the Flames have an extra gear? Will they need one?

Poirier will be our extra gear. We'll see him at the trade deadline.

[Stay Golden]

I am just enjoying the ride right now.
The good news is the Flames have put themselves in a great position. Other teams have to play catch up. I will feel much more comfortable when that time comes where the 7-9 spot are a full 10-12 points behind the Flames.
As it stands the Flames are in 3rd 1 point out 1st with only 5pts separating 1st to 8th.
Just keep playing at least .500 and the Flames have got a better than 50% chance to be there in April.

[Kipper is King]

If the Flames are in a playoff position at Christmas, I think they will make it.

[Salt Water Cowboy #10]

They need 70 more points, in 62 games. That's a looong way to go. Of they are sitting in the same position or close come trade deadline, they're in. What scares me is the teams below them that haven't got going yet. Great start but I want to see where we are after another 30 + games

[Erick Estrada]

Things are so close in the conference that one bad month could easily drop them from playoff spot into drafting in the top 10 so I would say they aren't a playoff team unless after 82 games they manage to get in.

[zukes]

I said American Thanksgiving, but I'll hedge that. I have been looking at this current 5 to 7 game stretch as the key. Last night vs. Anaheim, then the Haswks and Jersey then on the road for Sharks and the big one, the streak ender in Anaheim. I also include the home and home with the Coyotes since they always give the Flames fits it seems.

If they go 4-3 or 5-2 then yes, playoff team. If they go 3-4 but are in all of them then maybe even then. It's sure fun right now to project.....106.6 point pace.

[Gaudfather]

We just have to pray to the hockey gods to keep Gio and Brodie healthy - if both are healthy all season our chances of making the playoffs go up astronomically!

[Displaced Flames fan]

When they hit 95 points in advance of the last week of the season.

[_Q_]

Come on guys. Really? Most of you won't be convinced that this is a playoff team until the final game? Even if at some point it would take a catastrophic drop in play to drop out? Even if we are firmly in a play off spot at the trade deadline? Even if we mathematically clinch a spot before the last game?

Looking at this roster, I've been convinced since day one that this is a playoff team and I'm sticking to that. That's why I voted "They've already convinced me"

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

We just have to pray to the hockey gods to keep Gio and Brodie healthy - if both are healthy all season our chances of making the playoffs go up astronomically!

Part of what will help that is not having to have them play 28 minutes a night, like last night. Flames do not have defensive depth to have anyone, including Russell, hurt for any period of time.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Come on guys. Really? Most of you won't be convinced that this is a playoff team until the final game? Even if at some point it would take a catastrophic drop in play to drop out? Even if we are firmly in a play off spot at the trade deadline? Even if we mathematically clinch a spot before the last game?

I picked that option because there's a hole in the poll. As mentioned, if "when the clinch a playoff spot" was an option, I would have picked that. The Trade Deadline is too early for me and the last day of the season is too late. I went with the latter because it's closer to what I think will happen, best case scenario.

[foshizzle11]

After last nights win, I am convinced. I didn't believe they could compete with Anaheim and after two periods last night I was convinced they were going to drop in the standings and miss the playoffs.

Now I believe they will make the playoffs. They will finish this season strong and will be an amazing story this year.

Great play like we have seen over the last 20 games doesn't just disappear.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

I picked that option because there's a hole in the poll. As mentioned, if "when the clinch a playoff spot" was an option, I would have picked that. The Trade Deadline is too early for me and the last day of the season is too late. I went with the latter because it's closer to what I think will happen, best case scenario.

Fair enough.

I guess there are several holes in the pole. The options shouldn't be based on certain dates as they are right now, but rather when the team accomplishes certain goals.