“I’ve never had a team fall off a cliff like this before, I’ve had dips, slumps, rough patches, but this is akin to an 18-wheeler going right off a cliff, I don’t know what happened,…
That infamous quote (via The Toronto Star) came from then Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, who now plays a key role in Flames management, when his team went 1-9-1 during a pivotal stretch of games and dropped out of a playoff spot as a result.
Things haven't been *quite* as bad for the Flames as they were for that 2011-12 Leafs team but that same quote can surely be applied here.
While many direct competitors for playoff spots are playing strong hockey (Anaheim, Colorado, and Los Angeles have all won six of 10), the Flames are falling apart.
After last night's inexcusable loss at home to a rebuilding New York Rangers team, the Flames have won just two of their last eight games, one of which came against the lowly Arizona Coyotes, and seven of 21. Seven of 21!
The only team with fewer wins (six) during that stretch is the Chicago Blackhawks, who have been trotting out the likes of Jeff Glass, Anton Forsberg and J.F. Berube, none of whom are NHL caliber, on a nightly basis.
Thanks to the Flames' recent run of play, they have found themselves on the ropes. Big time.
According to SportsClubStats, they have a 14.9% chance of making the playoffs. If they were to go on a 10-3-3 run, which seems unlikely given how much they enjoy shooting themselves in the foot, they would get to 96 points. That still might not be enough.
Anything can happen but, at this point, it's much more likely the Flames will be watching playoff hockey than playing it.
This, despite Johnny Gaudreau producing at a 90 point pace. This, despite Sean Monahan scoring at a 36 goal pace. This, despite getting a career year from Michael Ferland. This, despite getting .921 goaltending from Mike Smith. This, despite having one of the game's best two-way lines. This, despite having arguably the best defense pairing in the league.
The Flames have all the key pieces required to be a very good team. Heck, they have the key pieces needed to be a great team.
And yet they're almost certainly not going to be a playoff team. What a waste.
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