Fresh off a 6–2 loss, many Calgary Flames fans may feel pretty dejected about a playoff run for the Flames. After last night’s performance, the Flames definitely have their work cut out for them, but there is still a path for them to squeak into the second wild card spot.
What the Flames need to do
The Vancouver Canucks hold the second wild card spot right now, with a points percentage of 0.545, which would bring their projected point total to 89 points. Assuming that Vancouver stays consistent with that points % until the rest of the year, the Flames would need at least 90 points to make the playoffs, or 19 points in their remaining 16 games. A record of 8–5–3 would get them there.
The Flames’ remaining schedule is below:
- New York Rangers
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- Seattle Kraken
- Dallas Stars
- Edmonton Oilers
- Colorado Avalanche
- Utah Hockey Club
- Anaheim Ducks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- San Jose Sharks
- Anaheim Ducks
- Minnesota Wild
- San Jose Sharks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Los Angeles Kings
The path to the playoffs
From the above schedule, the opponents that the Flames would have a strong chance to secure wins from are the New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, Anaheim Ducks (twice), and the San Jose Sharks (twice). To be conservative, let’s assume they win four of these six games. That brings the Flames to eight of the 16 points they need or four of the eight wins.
Then there is the Utah Hockey Club, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild. These would be tougher games for the Flames. If they can split these games and win two of them, they would then be up to 12 of the 16 points they need.
The remaining games are much tougher. The Flames play the Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights (twice). The Flames would need four points from these six games. Could they sneak a win against the Kings and Knights? These are the last two games of the year, and both teams may likely be resting some of their best players to get ready for the playoffs.
Looking at the Flames’ overall approach
When we divide the remaining schedule into these three segments, the Flames really just need to do most of their winning against the teams that are below them in the standings. Getting most of their wins against the Islanders, Kraken, Ducks, and Sharks will set the Flames up for a good chance to secure that second wild card.
Add in the likelihood of Dustin Wolf stealing a couple more games through the stretch, and the Flames may find themselves in a playoff spot. This could come down to game 82, but the Flames still have a chance.
