Everyone loves an underdog story and when the chips are down, the team that can pull together can pull off incredible results to go down in history. Calgary Flames fans will be hopeful that this will be the case for their team this season, no matter how unlikely.
At present, hockey experts and fans have written off the Flames’ chances of scraping into the playoffs, but until things are mathematically impossible, Ryan Huska’s squad will give everything.
Betting expert Khadija Bilal explains that changes to online betting in Canada have given sports fans more freedom to back their teams, but are fans going to put their money on the Flames? Statistically, the team has around a 13% to 25% chance of making the playoffs, according to experts. While this makes them a long shot, it does mean fans can enjoy longer odds.
Let’s take a look at whether fans will be better off putting their money to use elsewhere or if the longer odds could bring lucky fans a windfall if the Flames scrape into the playoffs.
The Season So Far
The Calgary Flames season so far has been a tale of streaks. The current five-game winning streak was preceded by three losses, before which they were on a four-game winning streak.
This inconsistency has seen fans and coaching staff go from despair to hope, and the current form means that a playoff place is not completely out of the question.
Since December 1, the Calgary Flames have suffered three 3-game or more losing streaks and 5 winning streaks. This puts them above the Minnesota Wild on 7 and four other franchises on 6.
Going by this season’s form, the Flames are due a losing streak, but bucking the trend could be good news. Apart from the opening two weeks of the season, they have not featured in the playoff places. The second wildcard playoff spot has been between two and five points off it every week.
The continuous patchy form has seen them gain little ground in the race, and the teams around them seem to have adjusted their own form to keep them at arm’s length.
How Close Are the Flames
The Flames continue to sit just outside the playoff positions with the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings in their sights.
The loss of top defenceman Chris Tanev before he could leave in free agency was not just a blow to the starting lineup, but also a hit to the locker room.
His move to the Dallas Stars in search of a Stanley Cup is an indication of how the Flames’ chances are perceived by the players themselves. However, Blake Coleman says the team will fight to the last to get there.
The Likliehood of the Flames Making the Playoffs
The Flames have a busy schedule ahead and face the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes at home before travelling to face the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights.
Continuing their good form will give their chances of making the playoffs a real boost, but when you consider their Stanley Cup betting odds of up to 125/1, it seems increasingly unlikely that they will feature.
Stranger things have happened in sport though, and the team has come out to say they will fight to the end.
Keeping Nazeem Kadri and Blake Coleman fit and firing will give the Flames the best chance of making it to the playoffs. They have been top of their team’s stats for most of the season and will continue to be a driving force.
There had been a school of thought that if the Flames weren’t to make it to the playoffs this year, then they might be better to tank the remainder to secure a better draft position. There is no doubt that a rebuild is in progress, and a good draft position would help with that.
As things stand, the coach and team still have the belief that they have something to fight for, and fans will want them to go all the way.
