A four-game winning streak has Calgary's playoff hopes alive. Losing to cellar-dwelling Chicago would be a huge step backwards
Everybody involved with the Calgary Flames knows full well they have a crucial road game with the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. The chase for the Western Conference’s wild-card spot is up for grabs and the showdown between the clubs could be a huge part of who makes the Stanley Cup playoffs.
It is of utmost importance the Flames do not look at that clash before they hit the ice for Tuesday’s home game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The situation makes the Chicago game is a perfect trap game for the Flames, who are riding a season-best four-game winning streak. After all, the Blackhawks are at the bottom of the league standings and on pace to have the best odds for the NHL draft lottery.
In theory, the Flames could actually be sitting in a playoff position by the end of Wednesday night. Calgary is two points back of the Jets and both teams have five games remaining.
Don’t think it is possible the Flames will look past the Blackhawks, who are on an eight-game losing streak? Consider how the two previous meetings have gone this season. Chicago won the first encounter 4-3 in overtime back on Jan. 8, and then handed the Flames a humiliating 5-1 loss in Calgary less than three weeks later.
The Flames would be in a playoff position with those three points in the pockets, but that doesn’t matter right now. The best for them is for the third time being the charm against the cellar-dwelling Blackhawks.
Here are three keys to watch when the puck drops:
COMEBACK KIDS: The Flames have won consecutive games despite trailing after two periods, a feat they had not achieved this season prior to those victories. Comeback victories are impressive, even against the non-playoff clubs who the Flames have beat in those games: the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. That said, needing a third-period comeback against the likes of those clubs is not a good gameplan.
By the way, the Flames have actually trailed by a 2-0 score — or worse — in five of their last eight games.
BIG GUNS UNDER FIRE: Flames coach Darryl Sutter did some big-time line juggling during his team’s 5-4 win over the Ducks on Sunday. He said the impetus was because some of his younger players had the jump his veteran players lacked.
Sutter made no bones about the fact most of the headline players weren’t the ones who led them to victory, saved by the supporting cast.
TOFFOLI LEADING THE WAY: Tyler Toffoli was not one of the skaters in the doghouse for his performance against the Ducks. Toffoli, who leads the team in both goals (33) and points (71) collected a pair of assists in the win, giving him seven goals and eight assists in a nine-game stretch.
