So yeah don’t get ahead of yourself.
The Flames completed a road trip sweep on a tough mini trip but that doesn’t escape the season from hell clearly.
Tonight back to the script where you outplay the opposition but just can’t create and finish enough to win the hockey game.
The Flames out shot the Ducks badly but just couldn’t get enough pucks past John Gibson and with that another missed opportunity to get back into the playoff hunt.
Next up the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night.
Jacob Markstrom stole that one.
It just has to be stated that simply. There can be no debate.
It was a slow build with a good first, an even better second and then a heart stopping third period where the Flame’s goaltender stood on his head and carried his team to a shutout shootout win.
On the way he needed some help, as the Wild scored in overtime but had the goal overturned on an off side.
But at that point he had stolen a point, great story that the call went his way and he was able to finish the job.
The win is huge … it moves the Flames to within four points of the Jets as things tighten up.
Ladies and gentleman, the Flames have entered the chat.
Maybe the season isn’t over just yet …
The Flames bounced back in Dallas running up 2-0 and 4-2 before finding a way with six seconds left on a Tyler Toffoli breakaway to turn a disappointing lost lead into a heroic last second win.
The victory moves the Flames to within six points of the sputtering Winnipeg Jets who lost to the San Jose Sharks tonight at home.
Calgary got two points from all of Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri and Mackenzie Weegar as a roster shake up seemed to add some zest to the top six trios.
Calgary flies to Minnesota to play the Wild tomorrow night.
With the Flames essentially punting on the trade deadline by adding a little without giving up anything by way of futures it was fun to turn back to the team with a “what the heck, lets see where this goes!” attitude.
With a Jets win over Edmonton and the Flames falling flat against Minnesota it feels like that battle might already be over as the numbers get considerably worse for the Flames with just 19 games to go.
That’s five straight losses by the Flames, and a whole lot of trouble.
Slotted to draft 13th overall though!
Heading out on the road with the season on the line a week and a half ago the Flames had an “easy” game against the Coyotes, and then four tough games heading up to the trade deadline with Vegas, Colorado, Boston and Toronto. They likely needed six points to make themselves buyers at the deadline.
They got two.
Tonight wasn’t the Boston game, they hung in there but the right team won as the Leafs edged the Flames 2-1 on Thursday night.
Tomorrow at 1pm Calgary time the deadline closes, and it will be interesting to see what, if anything, the Flames do.
They likely needed 30 points in the final 21 games. They now need 30 points in the final 20.
You do the math … unlikely.
