Let’s lead with the playoff odds of each team still in the Western Conference race, courtesy of Sports Club Stats:
Predators: 99.9
Red Wings: 99.3
Kings: 98.8
Avalanche: 96.4
Flames: 4.8
Blues: 0.5
Ducks: 0.3
That’s a rosy picture if one happens to be a fan of one of the first four teams, and a much less rosy one if our reader has any allegiance to the Calgary Flames. Simplifying those numbers and rounding a little, things basically come down to a 20-point scales, with the Avalanche holding 19 of 20 chances and the Flames having one of 20.
It’s a difficult, but not impossible assignment, even if the Avalanche win some games down the stretch. Matchsticks & Gasoline outlined one plausible playoff scenario earlier today, although there are other possibilities; both teams have difficult schedules down the stretch and putting together a decent run is going to be difficult. The most important game, for both clubs, will be this Friday’s game in Colorado. Simply put, the Flames need a regulation win.
There’s another reason for optimism: Colorado’s record is built on an incredible October run where they went 10-1-2. Since then, they’re a .500 team. They’re also 6-7-1 since the Olympic break, and while the Flames haven’t exactly been lighting it up down the stretch the fact is that this is an obtainable opponent.
It’s unlikely, but hardly impossible.
I just read the matchsticksand gasoline article, and i think that is very possible.
flames will make the playoffs and will do well. then I woke up. Pens will win it all once again.
hope all is will with, say to all for me.
hope all is will with you, say hi to all for me
But it requires them to very nearly run the table — nine or ten out of their last twelve points as a minimum. Is that horribly likely, given how the Flames have played of late? They’re 8-6-0 since the Olympics, and that includes a four-game winning streak early. Their final schedule? Phoenix, Colorado, Chicago, San Jose, Minnesota, Vancouver.
To reverse what you said, not impossible, but really effin’ unlikely.
Have to agree the Flames are pretty much screwed I can’t see the Avs screwing up that much with this few games left. Basically Atlanta is the only team with any shot of sneaking in but I’d say the only thing left now for both conference’s is to decide who faces who in the first round.