If you really needed your team to post a victory, and your favorite team was the Calgary Flames, it's unlikely that you'd choose the Hawks to be your opponent on that night. Unfortunately for the Flames, they don't get to decide who they play tonight, but the situation certainly looks like a must win game as the Flames look to stay relevant in any post-season scenario as they limp through November once again.
At 7-9-1 the Flames are only 2 games (3 by my count, but for some reason that's not how they calculate it...) under .500, but are quickly falling out of the race for a post-season spot. Sitting in 14th place, ahead of only the hapless Columbus Blue Jackets in the West and just ahead of the Islanders in the East (2 points but the Islanders do have a game in hand), the team is looking a lot more like it's fighting for a lottery pick than for a playoff spot at this point in time.
Although the Blackhawks took the first meeting between the two clubs 4-1 just one week ago, fans can be encouraged by the fact that the Flames have won the last two games in Calgary. Of course, those wins account for the only wins the Flames have had in their past 13 games versus the Hawks, so if you're an optimist, you might see that as a positive streak since the Flames have been able to handle Chicago in recent home games, although there doesn't seem to be a lot of optimism at all right now in the Calgary fan base.
With the offensive firepower the Hawks have, the Flames will need to get great goaltending, so it's comforting to know that Miikka Kiprusoff is arguably playing his best November hockey in years. Stopping the puck isn't the only element involved in getting a win, however, and the Flames pop-gun offense that is scoring just 2.12 goals a game doesn't leave their goaltenders much of a margin for error. Considering that it's largely the same roster that finished tied for 7th in scoring last season, it's just one of the many puzzles that the Flames seemingly aren't able to solve.
A big win over a team you've historically struggled against, and were certainly controlled by just a week ago could do a lot for the Flames confidence, and positioning. The Chicago BlackHawks have currently won four games in a row, however, and likely won't take a loss to the 28th team in the league very well. If the Flames are going to win tonight, they'll have to have one of their best efforts of the season.
Have a great day!
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