The Calgary Flames season continues to be full of surprises. After going from a projected bottom feeder to a Stanley Cup Playoff contender, the team finds themselves far from the “re-tooling” conversation that hovered over this team all summer. They are in the race and they have a really good chance of making the postseason.
After their 4–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, the team sits in the final wild card position in the Western Conference in terms of points. Depending on the games in hand, the team could jump over the Colorado Avalanche to the first position.
But many are not looking even further ahead, as after the victory the Flames have a genuine chance of catching the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific Division.
Dream bigger
Just like Tom Hardy’s character in Christopher Nolan’s film Inception says “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling”.
The Flames have played 50 games this season and have 57 points. The Kings have played 49 games this season and currently have 58 points. They are only 2–7–1 in their last ten games and have been completely overtaken by the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers.
The Flames had no chance at a Pacific Division spot a month ago, but now realistically could pass the Kings with a few more victories. There is of course a ton of hockey left to be played, but the teams are trending in opposite directions, with the Flames having the more advantageous path forward.
A new race for playoff positioning
Now the Vancouver Canucks are in a similar position as the Flames, with the ability to jump into that third spot as well, but there are now options. What used to be just one final wild card spot, now has evolved into both wild cards and the extra divisional spot.
The best thing is that the Flames have what other teams do not: Dustin Wolf.
Game on.
