Friday Fan Poll: Do or Die Time

Last Week’s Results: In last week’s poll, a whopping 88% of votes last week believed that Dennis Wideman should’ve been suspended with 68% believing that he deserved a 20+ game suspension. A suspension which the league subsequently gave him on Wednesday. His appeal process is ongoing and the game amount could possibly shrink in the upcoming days. Thanks to everybody for voting!

Week 5: Do or Die Time

Its painfully clear to the Flames and their fans that they’re a decent ways out of a playoff spot right now. They currently sit eight points back of the last Pacific Division spot and nine points out of a Western Conference wild card spot.

However, the Flames have an opportunity to gain some ground on teams with a busy schedule over the next two weeks with 8 games in 14 days starting February 5 against Columbus. During that time the Flames play 5 divisional contests (VAN x 2, @ SJ, @ ARI, vs ANA) as well as hosting the two worst Eastern teams (CLB, TOR) at the Saddledome. The Minnesota Wild are the other team on the slate as they make their only visit to Calgary this season.

These 8 games are of vital importance because if the Flames sputter during this stretch, they are essentially all but mathematically eliminated from the postseason. However if they can win 6 of them, they could be right back in the thick of things.

This stretch will also determine how the Flames will play their cards at the NHL trade deadline on February 29th, determining definitively whether they’ll be a buyer or a seller. With 5 roster UFA’s at the end of the season (Hudler, Jones, Russell, Hiller, Ramo) there’s some important decisions to make.

So here's this week's question: To get back into the thick of the playoff race, how many points (0-16) do you think the Flames need to get over the next two weeks?

Remember to vote and to suggest questions to be asked in the future!

Go Flames Go!

by Michael MacGillivray