Calgary kicks off a trio of games riding a three-game losing skid and only two wins since the trade deadline
Calgary kicks off a trio of games riding a three-game losing skid and only two wins since the trade deadline
The games must go on, even when the inevitable is coming. The Calgary Flames (33-32-5, 71 points) awoke last Monday only six points out of a playoff spot. Now, thanks to their three-game losing streak, capped by Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the gulf between themselves and the Vegas Golden Knights for the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot is 14 points with one dozen games remaining on the slate. According to moneypuck.com, the Flames have a 0.1% chance of reaching the second season — and a 2.5% of drafting first overall.
Which means the Flames will be officially eliminated soon enough, although it will not happen during this week’s action. It also means the out-of-town scoreboard and standings watch will be more about whether they fall further down the ladder and have increased odds at the draft lottery. Heading into Tuesday’s action, the Flames are 10th from the bottom and could fall a couple of more spots if their woes continue and the Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken can muster a turnaround.
Before officially being punted from the playoff race, however, the Flames have a trio of games to conclude a stretch of five outings in eight days. Here is a look at the coming opposition.
Tuesday: at Chicago Blackhawks (20-46-5, 45 points)
For the first time this season, the Flames are to receive a first-hand view of Connor Bedard, the 2023 first-overall pick and front-runner for the Calder Trophy. Bedard, who missed 14 games due to a fractured jaw — during which the Flames faced the Blackhawks twice — has collected four goals and 12 points in his last seven games.
The Blackhawks lead only the San Jose Sharks in the standings, and curiously Chicago’s only two victories in its last five games have come against the hapless Sharks.
Despite how awful the Blackhawks have been the past couple of seasons, the Flames have only one victory over them in the past five meetings, a 1-0 game at the Saddledome just before the all-star break. The Blackhawks took a 4-3 game in Chicago in early January.
Thursday: at St. Louis Blues (38-30-4, 80 points)
While the Flames have faded since the trade deadline, the Blues have hung in the mix. Although still a long-shot team to reach the playoffs, St. Louis are five points behind the Golden Knights after losing a 2-1 overtime affair to Vegas Monday night.
The Blues have a 6-1-1 mark in their last eight outings and have an impressive 21-12-2 home record. Helping their cause has been a much improved defensive display. The Blues have won six of the last seven matches with Calgary, including a pair in the Stampede City. This the third and final meeting.
Saturday: versus Los Angeles Kings (38-22-11, 87 points)
Speaking of turning things around, the Kings boast a four-game winning streak thanks to Monday's 3-2 victory over the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Canucks. Whether the Kings can maintain their hold on third place in the Pacific Division, remains to be seen. They hold a two-point edge on Vegas and an easier schedule the rest of the way, but it is tough to rule out the defending Stanley Cup-champion Golden Knights making a torrid run. The Kings also sit one point back of the Oilers — although Edmonton has two games in hand — which will add extra jam when they meet on Thursday.
The Kings will arrive in Calgary for the third outing in a four-game trip through Western Canada, and could be holding only a wild-card spot by the time the puck drops at the ’Dome or sit second in the division. Either way, their urgency should be elevated. The Flames and Kings have split the first two affairs in a four-game season series, with both team winning at home. They face each other for the final time in Los Angeles on April 11.
