For the first time this season, the Calgary Flames will enter a game while holding down a playoff spot. Depending on how things go tonight, they could exit the game looking up at the playoff teams, so it's important that they take advantage of their opportunity to face one of the weaker teams in the league. For Flames fans, it's a nice bonus that tonight's weaker team is the provincial rival Edmonton Oilers as the Flames continue their quest for a playoff spot. The difference now is they're fighting to hold onto it, as opposed to trying to reach it.
With a 5-0-3 record in the month of February, the Flames have finally been able to find themselves in the drivers seat of the playoff race. That's great news for the team and its fans. The bad news is that as tight as the race is, they can't afford to recede at all at this point or they may find themselves too far back with too little time in a real hurry. Often games against weaker opponents get "looked past" as a team sizes up the "more important" games. Since this game is against the Oilers, however, it shouldn't be an issue for the team as keeping up their intensity against their classic enemy won't be a problem tonight.
The Flames have been riding the spectacular play of Miikka Kiprusoff during this streak. He's looked more like the '04 Miikka than he has since that run over the last month, and that includes his Vezina season. If Miikka can continue to stymie opponents, then the Flames chances of making the post-season look extremely good. Right now,
Sports Club Stats has the Flames chances of earning a post season berth at 53.6%, the highest their opportunity has been since before they played a single game.
The Flames have won all 4 meetings between the two clubs this season and are looking to earn their 9th straight win over Edmonton tonight. In fact, in the last 20 games between the two teams, the Flames have enjoyed an impressive 18 wins vs the Oilers. To say the Flames have been dominant is a huge understatement.
After the Oilers started the season 7-2-2 in November, many were mocking Jay Feaster's pre-season comments concerning the current organizational state of his club and his rivals in Edmonton. Right now he has a right to be a little smug about his opinion that he was looking forward to the Flames/Oilers games and felt pretty good about his team's chances.
Calgary has won 3 straight home games.
Calgary still hasn't scored a short-handed goal. Once again, they are the only team in the league without one.
The teams will face each other one more time this season after tonight's game.
Have a great day!
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