Calgary Puck

Well that’s probably it.

We’ve lived and died by so many ifs over the past three to four weeks, but after winning two straight against Montreal, tonight’s 2-1 loss in regulation may just be the final nail in the coffin.

The Flames played a solid defensive game, they only gave up three high danger chances all night after surrendering only five and then six in the first two games of the series, but a Keystone Cop second period turnover resulted in the go ahead goal for the Canadiens and the Flames couldn’t muster the scoring chances needed to tie it up the rest of the way.

The loss puts the Habs up six points with a game in hand and only nine to play.

That’s not good.

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A couple of days ago the thought sweeping three games from the Montreal Canadiens and climbing back into they playoff race seemed like a tall order.

Over the past several weeks we’ve had so many scenarios that started with “if”, as in if the Flames win this one and Montreal loses, etc, but the Flames over and over again didn’t fulfill their side of the bargain.

Tonight though the Flames beat Montreal in regulation for the second time in two nights completing 2/3 of the most recent “if” and making Monday’s third game more interesting and now literally possible.

The Flames started slowly, a rough first period that had the looks of a season killing Montreal victory, but the second and third was solid as the Flames skated away with a 5-2 victory on Friday evening (later afternoon).

An injury to Noah Hanifin takes a way a little from the win, but at least Monday is still interesting.

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The Flames live to fight another day; well Saturday … as they play Montreal again tomorrow night.

With a 4-2 hard fought victory the team keeps their playoff hopes at least somewhat alive, as the team endeavors to sweep the Canadiens in a three game set in regulation time and make the next two weeks interesting.

Tonight they broke a 2-2 third period tie to win the game 4-2 on the strength of a big night by Sean Monahan, Dillon Dube and Andrew Mangiapane.

In a city that has largely moved on and thinking more about the club’s draft position the single win isn’t much, but you can’t win all three without winning the first one!

At least Hockey Night in Canada is a little more interesting than it could have been.

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Kryptonite!

The Ottawa Senators have singlehandedly destroyed the Calgary Flames season.

The on again / off again pulse of the Flame’s playoff chances have gone in circles in the last few weeks with some Montreal missteps creating opportunity, or a Flame’s run creating some momentum.

So of course it’s the Senators winning their sixth of eight games against the Flames this season, including tonight’s 4-2 victory putting what feels like another nail in the Calgary coffin.

The Habs lose out of town, so the optimistic of the optimistic will still see a shred, but this guy is tired of adding up what ifs, they always end in a hollow fashion.

For the game the Flames did the Flames thing … they gave up nothing, as the Senators only had 20 shots on goal, but found a way to lose due to a lack of finish, and some inopportune turnovers.

Some seasons everything goes right, some … everything wrong.

We all know what this one is.

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So you’re saying there’s a chance!

The Flames dropped a tonne of game leading up to the trade deadline so it was only natural to move assets on a one game win streak and the chance of a playoff spot pretty dim.

So consider that lucky, the team didn’t do something foolish and mismanage assets on a wing and a prayer.

With that said now it’s just fun. The Flames have a shiny new prospect, and two draft picks, and then walked into back to back games in Canada’s two biggest cities with victories, the regulation one coming against the team they needed it the most.

Tonight’s 3-1 win in Montreal doesn’t make the Flames quest to grab a miracle playoff spot probable, but it certainly pushes off the death march and makes the next set of games interesting.

Could be fun!

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