If anyone would have suggested to me 1 month ago that the Flames would be fighting for the 8th spot in the Western Conference at this time of the year I would have laughed hysterically. However, after a horrendous road trip, this is the situation they currently find themselves in. Picking up a measly 2 out of a possible 8 points on a trip where they played 4 teams who are out of the playoff picture has really put this team behind the 8 ball.

With only 9 games left in the regular season, the Flames desperately need to pick up their game. They need to abandon their lazy habits that have been slowly forming like a malignant tumor. The team seems to become less inspired with each game. In recent matches they have been badly out-shot, out-played, out-chanced, and out-worked. Down the stretch they will ultimately control their own destiny as their final 9 games are ALL against division rivals - 2 vs. the Avalanche, 2 vs. the Wild, 2 vs. the Oilers, and 3 vs. the Canucks.

Thursday’s game is critical. Historically the Flames have had problems against the Aves (last years playoff race instantly comes to mind). Let’s hope they can come out strong and get a big home win. That would be a giant step in the right direction for the team. The key to winning this game will be intensity. If the the entire team “shows up” and can put in 60 full minutes of intense hockey, and battle for every puck, they should be able to put this game in the win column. However, if they come out and play another lethargic game, and let the Ave’s control the play, then I fear it could get ugly. There is so much talent in the Colorado lineup that you can’t take your mind of the game for a minute or the puck will be in the back of your net.

Go Flames Go!

Watching tonight’s game I’m reminded of the old Don Henley song “How Bad Do You Want It?” The song answers that question with “not bad enough.” Outshot 38-18 by a team that’s nine points back of a playoff spot? The Flames aren’t looking like a hungry team lately, and it’s got me a little scared.

The Flames’ inability to keep star players off of the score sheet is more than a little disconcerting. Ovechkin, Kovalchuck, and Nash have all burned Calgary recently. The formula seems pretty simple: have a look at the opposing team’s stats before the game and pay a little more attention to shutting down the key players. Obviously you can’t shut guys like these down 100%, but right now we’re at the opposite end of the spectrum, and that needs to improve.

That doesn’t begin to address the paltry 18 shots on goal, but I think a stronger commitment to defense would be a welcome starting point.

Some other thoughts that came to mind during the game:

• Ken Hitchcock is sure looking old without that mustache
• The SportsNet announcers called the Blue Jackets “Nashville” when they were talking about Rick Nash. I wonder how often that happens.
• Iginla was anything but clutch today. He was absolutely invisible in the final ten minutes.

Sunday’s win against the Blackhawks was obviously a big one for the Flames. A loss in Chicago and there would have been some serious panicking in the Flames camp. The win places them in a 3-way tie for first place in the tight Northwest Division with Colorado and Minnesota. With only 10 games left in the season, every win is critical and every loss is painful.

Now, a win is a win, and I really shouldn’t complain but this team just doesn’t seem hungry enough. They don’t seem like a team that is ready for the playoffs. Like an unfocused sixth grader in science class, the Flames just can’t pay attention for the full 60 minutes. It’s either a strong start, and a lazy finish (as we witnessed on Sunday) OR they don’t start playing until halfway through the game (in which most games they are too far behind and can’t catch up).

Is it too much to ask to see a full 3 periods of quality hockey? Other teams can do it! With the caliber of players that are on the roster, the Flames should be considered an “elite” team, however, other elite teams seem to be able to play strong for the entire game.

Watch out - if the Flames can figure this out, they will be deadly!

Before we sound the alarms and start preparing for playoffs without the Flames lets remember how good this team is. We can’t forget that the Flames scored four goals last game, easily enough to win the game…so why didn’t they, because our d-core were still in Washington looking for their jock straps…which were later found in Ovechkins locker.

Last night the team was celebrating a huge win over the lowly Thrashers on the bench during the second period. Hand shakes, high-fives, and good game taps where going around when the Flames realized that a player wearing the #17 had other plans (by the way that player got me 4 points in my draft :)…back to business). Like an unwanted guest, he ate our food, drank our booze and ravaged the women. By the time the Flames realized what had just happened it was too late. Their skates were already off and most of them were already making their way to the airport with two points in their pockets, including Iron Mike.

What’s the moral of the story? Work hard for 60 minutes and the rest will take care of itself (and the women will come back!).

So do we panic? Big fat NO! Lets just play some solid D (like the Flames have a rep of doing), the forwards need to keep scoring, and don’t let Huselius try to defend Iggy with his stick, and we’ll be fine. But I can’t stress enough how much we need the next 4 points (against Chicago and Columbus)…which we WILL get. And the only way to do this is to bring your lunch pale, boots and your hard hats (this includes you Lombardi…if you jump over one more shot Iron Mike will shoot you). If not, the button will be pressed!

Hoser & Shooter

With 15  games remaining in the season, the Calgary Flames look poised to make another run for Lord Stanley’s Holy Grail.  The question is, which team will show up? Last night’s victory against the St. Louis Blues was certainly a memorable one: Iggy’s career goal #365 brings him to the top of the all-time goal scoring chart for the Flames, Lombardi ended his lengthy scoring drought and last but not least, Huselius  finally found the back of the net after 20+ games.  While any victory is important at this time of the year, we should not get too complacent and suggest that the Flames are “back on their winning ways” or “looks like we are back on track” and other forms of self-congratulatory praises just yet. Last night’s victory illustrated what many Flames fans have long known - we should be putting more pucks in the net.

Its no secret that the Flames need all of  their goal-scoring forwards to show up for the playoffs so perhaps having 2 key players end their scoring drought at this point is a certainly a good omen. The Flames need to carry this intensity to each and every single game and maintain a consistent effort across the board. While having more victories than losses at this time of the year will certainly help the Flames make it into the post season, it is the way in which these wins are accomplished will signify which hockey club will show up and exactly how far we can go into the playoffs.

Go Flames.