Flames are down to the short strokes

Scoreboard watching and taking care of business part of their Saturday night for the Calgary Flames

By the time puck drops on their Saturday night clash with the Vancouver Canucks, the Calgary Flames will have a strong idea about how realistic their playoff hopes remain.

The Winnipeg Jets square off with the Nashville Predators three hours before the Flames hit the ice on the West Coast.

Although the Flames will be hard-pressed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs, what transpires in the Jets game will either deal their hopes a crushing blow or provide a much-needed jolt.

The Flames and Jets are currently tied with 89 points, although Winnipeg holds the final wild-card spot having a game in hand — not to mention the tie breakers should they finish tied with points. The Flames head into Saturday’s action with three games remaining in the season and the Jets have four.

Nashville has four games remaining, too, and sits one point back of both the Flames and Jets. If the Predators beat the Jets, and the Flames can somehow win in Vancouver, Calgary will actually move into the playoff spot, even if they need help the rest of the way.

It may be far-fetched the Flames will actually make the the playoffs, but crazy things can always happen.

Not that past history means much in a one-game showdown, the Flames have a 2-0-1 mark against the Canucks this season, including the thrilling 5-4 comeback win just over a week ago in Vancouver.

Here are three keys to watch when the puck drops:

SLOW START ISSUES: The Flames have been guilty of struggling out of the gates, or at least falling behind early and often in the last handful of games. Whether that issue is a case of not being prepared or — and this seems more likely — being too wound up, the Flames cannot keep relying on comeback victories. Calgary has surrendered the first goal in four straight contests and seven of its last 10 games.

BIG GUNS NEEDED: Over the past while, the list of Calgary’s goal scorers mainly consists of Tyler Toffoli, Andrew Mangiapane and all of the supporting cast. Even Michael Stone played for the first time in 20 games and netted a game winner. The Flames dearly need the likes of Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdreau, Elias Lindholm and Dillon Dube to light the lamp.

SPOILERS OR SOILERS: The Canucks are long eliminated from playoff contention, but must be salivating at the opportunity to deal a crushing blow to Calgary’s chances. Whether they follow through on the opportunity remains to be seen. Vancouver — which enjoyed a strong stretch through most of March, snapped a four-game losing skid by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 on Thursday. It’s a good bet the Canucks will be at their best for their final home game of the season.