Flames Make The Playoffs! (If…)

If I’m going to take the time to project out the rest of the regular season, it may as well turn out well for the Flames.

March 31 – Colorado manages to defeat the Ducks at home, ending Anaheim’s season once and for all. But Calgary gets the needed win at home against the Phoenix Coyotes, who are a bit lethargic after clinching an unlikely playoff berth.

Colorado – 42 wins, 91 points, 6 games remaining…Calgary – 39 wins, 87 points, 5 games remaining

April 2 – Calgary takes a season’s worth of frustration out on the nervous Avalanche with a 5-1 victory in Denver, and tighten the gap at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff race.

Colorado – 42 wins, 91 points, 5 games remaining…Calgary – 40 wins, 89 points, 4 games remaining

April 4 – After both teams take Saturday off to watch Hockey Night in Canada, they’re back in action on Sunday. The Avalanche lose again, this time to the Sharks, and are stuck on 91 points. However, Calgary can’t quite tie them for the final playoff spot, losing in OT to the Hawks after again blowing an early lead.

Colorado – 42 wins, 91 points, 4 games remaining…Calgary – 40 wins, 90 points, 3 games remaining

April 6 – Colorado sees their grip on the final spot disappear as they go on the road and lose to the Canucks for their third loss in a row. Meanwhile, Calgary takes advantage of a Sharks team at the end of a road trip for a critical 3-2 victory.

Colorado – 42 wins, 91 points, 3 games remaining…Calgary – 41 wins, 92 points, 2 games remaining

April 7 – Colorado bounces back on the second night of a back-to-back with a win in Edmonton, despite being outshot 42-20.

Colorado – 43 wins, 93 points, 2 games remaining…Calgary – 41 wins, 92 points, 2 games remaining

April 8 – Calgary solves the Wild at home, finally, and move back into 8th.

Colorado – 43 wins, 93 points, 2 games remaining…Calgary – 42 wins, 94 points, 1 game remaining

April 9 – Colorado steals a point against the Hawks at home, losing in a shootout.  Curse the three point games!

Colorado – 43 wins, 94 points, 1 game remaining…Calgary – 42 wins, 94 points, 1 game remaining

April 10 – Calgary, knowing they need a win because they will lose all tie-breakers with Colorado, take out the hated Canucks in Vancouver. Eric Nystrom relives his best game as a Flame, with 2 goals and 4 points in the season ending 4-3 win.

Colorado – 43 wins, 94 points, 1 game remaining…Calgary – 43 wins, 96 points

April 11 – It comes down to the final night of the season. An Avalanche win at home against the Kings, and they’re in. However, the Kings are desperate too, as their late season slump is costing them places in the standings. Ryan Smyth proves to be the dagger in his old team’s heart, as he scores the winner in overtime.

Colorado – 43 wins, 95 points…Calgary – 43 wins, 96 points

by Kelly Mamer