The Eternal Playoff Optimism Thread

[bigrangy]

The Flames score a pretty good rate at 5v5. Not elite but not terrible. Their defense is adequate but could be better.

The PP continues to sink the team. If that gets fixed the team coasts to the playoffs.

The goaltending continues to sink the team as well. If that gets fixed the team also coasts to the playoffs.

This is an above average team in a league where you only need to be average to make the playoffs. I don’t have much faith that the goaltending and PP will be fixed but even without them the Flames will still be in the hunt.

[Drunk Uncle]

This version of the Flames looks far less exposed against teams with elite superstars than last year. It gives me confidence that in a series that involves McDavid or MacKinnon we will be in a far better situation than last year.

I still believe the Flames will make it to the playoffs and do damage when they get there.

[jatylo]

We are just taking notes from the LA and St. Louis cup wins.
Marky is just saving himself to play Vezina level hockey in the playoffs and Uber Dough is going to carry the team to become the first captionless team in NHL history to win the cup.... then I turned off the PS5

[troutman]

Common Flames! Indeed.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by jatylo

We are just taking notes from the LA and St. Louis cup wins.
Marky is just saving himself to play Vezina level hockey in the playoffs and Uber Dough is going to carry the team to become the first captionless team in NHL history to win the cup.... then I turned off the PS5

Uber Dough!

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Oh sweet summer child.

Oh sweet and salty nacho dim sum dilly bar!

[Samonadreau]

This really is the year the west is wide open, top team in the west would be 7th in the East right now. I don't know if the conferences have ever been so lopsided.

If they can get their #### together and get in and if one of the goalies somehow manages to get hot, its crazy but they could still get theough the west this season.

But please, no adds at the deadline. if it doesnt work out sort it out in the offseason.

[McG]

Bless your heart!

If this team can find a way to win the must win games you never know!

[Vinny01]

Looking at this through a totally glass is half full look here. It is clear this team is missing their mojo or have yet to develop any with the massive turnover. While this team is not where they want or expected they are a solid run away from being in the mix. The amount of posts they have hit, bad bounces and brain farts that lead to glorious chances against in addition to our goalies giving up softies pre to ally every game.

The team uses something to come together as a group. They are good enough to get in and if they start getting the bounces they can beat anyone. I am also blindly hoping Markstrom gets over his mental struggles and finds his groove.

I just feel this team has shown flashes of being able to hang with anyone. Some how they need to find their groove at the right time and anything is possible

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

The Flames score a pretty good rate at 5v5. Not elite but not terrible. Their defense is adequate but could be better.

The PP continues to sink the team. If that gets fixed the team coasts to the playoffs.

The goaltending continues to sink the team as well. If that gets fixed the team also coasts to the playoffs.

This is an above average team in a league where you only need to be average to make the playoffs. I don’t have much faith that the goaltending and PP will be fixed but even without them the Flames will still be in the hunt.

These are the things that stand out to me as well. Hard to win in the NHL with a bad PP and really bad goaltending. Also I don't think they are as good as their 5 on 5 metrics indicate as they generate very little high danger chances.

I think A LOT has to go right for this team to turn the corner. They need to somehow generate more offense at 5 on 5, improve their PP and get better goaltending. Those are three massive issues.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

No Pessimists Allowed!

So...what seems to be happening in here?

I'm going...I'm going...

[TheIronMaiden]

Go Flames Go!!!

[Dion]

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

You can look forward to this thread being bumped after every win!

[Sandman]

The best time to peak is just before the playoffs! Do that, we could go far, who knows...

[Nelson]

Reason for optimism: the Flames are just behind the Wild for the last wild card position, and they play the Wild twice on March 4 and 7.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

This is what being a fan is all about. 28 Games left in the thick of a fight for the wild card spot.

Common Flames! Score the Goals, Win the Games Get the Points, Sports Sports Sports!

No Pessimists Allowed!

Well said! Never mind the fact the Flames are in the fight for a playoff spot, they are only 9 points pack of 1st place in the western conf. They can definitely rise to the top spot.

[midniteowl]

Flames' playoff train will arrive!

[Johnny Makarov]

We aren't out until we get spanked twice by bottom dwellers from our division.

So... Canucks, Sharks, Ducks,... bring it!

[SuperMatt18]

My internal hope remains that everything except goaltending is pretty close to elite at 5v5, especially in when the games are still close. Generally they struggle if they get 2 goals down, but within 1 they are elite.

5v5 within 1 Goal:

Corsi For: 57.8% (2nd)
xGF %: 55.5% (2nd)
xGF per 60: 2.95 (7th)
xGA per 60: 2.36 (3rd)
GF %: 52.5% (12th)
GF per 60: 2.96 (3rd)

Shooting %: 8.1% (19th)
Save %: .895 (31st)

The biggest surprise to me is even our Goals For is pretty elite in this view - 3rd in Goals For per 60.

If they fix the PP and get even average goaltending then I truly believe the team could do damage come playoff time.