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The Calgary Flames took on the San Jose Sharks at home last night and came through with a big win putting them at a .500 game pace. Kiprusoff came back better than before allowing only 1 goal on 33 shots. In the 3rd the Flames were outshot 17-6 and Kipursoff stopped each and every one of them. Having Kiprusoff behind the team seemed to elevate their level of play as the Flames played a strong game.
Although coming into the 3rd period the game was tied, the Flames were able to score three goals late in the game which was huge for them. Comeau started things off early in the 3rd with his first goal this season and just two minutes later Iginla followed suit on a turn-over. That marks his 6th goal in just 5 games, something the Flames need from their captain. Cervenka had the first goal of the night and Glencross would make it four at the end of the game. Not only did they contribute on the scoresheet, they were also above 70% in the faceoff circle. No, that wasn’t a misprint!
Overall the Flames have been improving on the areas which were costing them games. The faceoff percentage is big; gaining possession is an advantage and every time they lose a faceoff, they put themselves at an immediate disadvantage. It should be an extra boost of confidence for Cervenka and Glencross because the Sharks are one of the better teams in the league on the faceoff.
It’s no secret that Hartley is a conditioning guy and he’s been running the infamous suicide drills in Calgary. It seems that it has paid off as in the past 2 games, the Flames have been able to earn their wins in the 3rd period…something a well conditioned team will do often.
With last nights win, the Flames have moved past Edmonton and sit at 3rd in the Northwest division. It’s a great feat for Calgary but it’s still anybody’s game as the entire division is only separated by 7 points. Calgary sits right in the middle, 3 points from the top and 2 points from the bottom. They also currently but four points behind fourth place LA Kings, in just as many games.
The Western Conference is going to be a tight race, aside from Chicago and Anaheim who’d have to almost lose every remaining game to end up out of a playoff spot. If we were to look at the current trend for positions and points at this half way mark this year, we could estimate that teams would need just above 50 points in order to clinch a playoff spot.
Calgary is presently 12th overall with 22 points and has 27 games remaining, it would therefore take at the very least 14 wins of 27 games for them to theoretically compete for a playoff spot. Teams like Vancouver, San Jose, and even Detroit are playing above .500 and are on pace to make the playoffs. Playing well against the top teams is important but beating those teams in similar position as Calgary will be crucial. Therefore, any game against the Oilers, Nashville, and Minnesota are must win games. The positive trend for Calgary is they are now playing .500 hockey, even though they will need to play slightly better than their current record indicates in order to reach the post season.
We’ve got a healthy goalie, Iginla is back in the point’s race, our top 3 forward lines are producing, and our blueliners have tightened up their games. The Flames have the ability to make it to the playoffs after a tough start of the season and as such, their future success lies in their hands.
Thanks for reading!
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