 |
The easiest part of the Calgary Flames schedule was the three weeks leading up to the Olympic break.
They wasted it in disappointing fashion, which put the Stampede City's hockey heroes in the mess they're staring at today -- on the outside of the playoff picture.
It's a mess they don't appear capable of digging out from.
Not the way they're going.
Certainly not the way life is shaping up for the two clubs closest to them in the quest to be among the Western Conference's elite eight -- the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings.
Before considering what's ahead of the Flames between now and the regular-season finale, starting with Wednesday night's clash against the host Colorado Avalanche, look back at where they stood heading into the final week of January.
Despite a 9-1 hammering at the hands of the San Jose Sharks and, a few days later, a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks which stretched their winless skid to six games, the Flames were still staring at a legitimate playoff position.
In fact, they remained in contention to have home-ice advantage in the first round.
Why the confidence? They had 11 games on the docket heading into the break, and only three were against clubs sitting in playoff positions.
It's not like those games were against world beaters, either.
It was a golden opportunity to pull out of the skid, build momentum with more than a half-dozen wins and sit strong heading into the post-Olympic push.
Instead of going on a winning streak, though, the Flames posted a disappointing 4-4-3 record and were sitting ninth by the time they suited up for their first game after the Olympics.
Curiously, it's the same spot where they now find themselves.
With 13 games remaining, the challenge to climb back into the top eight is all the more daunting.
For starters, none of the teams they're chasing appear interested in doing them any favours.
The Nashville Predators had racked up six victories in nine games prior to Tuesday night's clash at home against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Detroit Red Wings have won seven of their last nine, including a crucial 2-1 victory over the Flames Monday night at the Saddledome.
Colorado has a nice little cushion. The Avs were on the verge of falling a couple of weeks ago, but regrouped to win three of four heading into Tuesday night's game against St. Louis.
Looking forward, the situation doesn't become any prettier for the Flames.
Of the baker's dozen worth of games which remain ahead of them -- eight on the road, five at home -- nine are against teams currently in the playoffs.
Two are against a Colorado team which has won all four meetings so far this season, two more against the powerful San Jose Sharks, another is against a Chicago team that has owned them the past few seasons and there's also a road date against the NHL-leading Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center.
At the best of times, it would be a tough schedule.
Considering how the Flames are struggling in every area at this time -- other than the goaltending provided by Miikka Kiprusoff -- they'll be hard-pressed to skate to a .500 record, and it's tough to believe 90 points will be enough to earn a ticket to the playoffs.
Barring a complete collapse by the Avalanche, Red Wings or Predators -- and there have been no indications of that happening -- the Flames must rack up as many as 10 wins in those 13 outings to be a playoff team.
Even then, they'll be looking for help.
Don't bet on either happening.
RANDY.SPORTAK@SUNMEDIA.CA