The Playoff Push, Tanking and Scoreboard Watching Thread

[Louie the Blue]

Folks keep questioning my logic while we watch it slowly turn to fact. Stop doing that.

Two game losing streak and the Flames are coming hard. If Holloway doesn't return quick and we don't get help from other teams, we will end up exactly where I predicted all through the year - barelyissing the playoffs.

Folks with your logic on paper need to realize that the logic only works IF THE BLUES WIN. Flames games in hand might be THE nail if we can't get rolling and win out.

1. The Blues do control their own destiny. Regardless if Holloway is injured or not. Calgary does not have agency over the Blues.

2. This team won 12 straight. They were bound to lose another game at some point.

3. What does your prediction have to do with this?

 

[GoldenSeal]

1. The Blues do control their own destiny. Regardless if Holloway is injured or not. Calgary does not have agency over the Blues.

2. This team won 12 straight. They were bound to lose another game at some point.

3. What does your prediction have to do with this?

1. They do if they win and the Blues stall and lose out.
2. What we did before doesn't matter if we can't finish.
3. That we may end up barely missing the playoffs. Right now that is a legitimate and very real possibility.

 

[ds774622]

EXACTLY. But let me expand:

The definition I will use for Agency, from the dictionary: action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect.

The Blues have TWO games at 93 Points. The Flames have FOUR at 88. Those two games in hand they have put them at 92 points with two games to play.

Yes, it is THAT Close.

This why I am crowing loudly about the situation since before the Jets game. You don't rest netminders or do stupid shit, you go in all-hands on deck til you clinch THEN rest your folks, if you can. For those who think this is stupid and you don't just run your Starter that many games, how many games does your starter run to win the Cup? If the situation requires it, you leave NOTHING to chance and do it.

Now back to 'Agency'. This team because their GP is half of Calgary's and is on a losing streak may not have the agency to win on their own. They will need another team to outright beat Calgary if we lose the next two games, which is becoming a real possibility if, again, Holloway doesn't magically return.

This is negativity or doomerism, it is what it is. There is HOPE that we can win those games and HOPE that other teams will help stop the Flames, but when you're living more and more on hope, I think THAT and these other factors satisfy the definition of lacking 'Agency'.

As for the Flames, while they are a team running on fumes, they are pulling from a place deep inside just to stay in their games and earn the loser points (now at a staggering 14). Do NOT underestimate them.

These last two games we need to beware the power of the Spoiler Teams. Do not take them lightly, destroy them.

I'd just like to point out that your tagline says, "Believe in the Note", which is the exact opposite of your protracted position.

I mean, you do you, but just letting you know that the irony amuses me. So thank you for that.

Carry on.

 

[GoldenSeal]

I'd just like to point out that your tagline says, "Believe in the Note", which is the exact opposite of your protracted position.

I mean, you do you, but just letting you know that the irony amuses me. So thank you for that.

Carry on.

If being a fan of a team was built solely on logic, you'd have no fans in Buffalo. Being a fan means you're with a team even when it's illogical to because you believe that one day they'll make it.

Anyone who was a Blues before 2019, and I've been one since the 80's, gave up on logic and stuck to belief because it's who we are.

Fact is, I can say what I do and I still believe in this team finding a way. They did it in 2019 and I believe they will do it again.

 

[Louie the Blue]

1. They do if they win and the Blues stall and lose out.
2. What we did before doesn't matter if we can't finish.
3. That we may end up barely missing the playoffs. Right now that is a legitimate and very real possibility.

Key word being IF they win and Blues stall out.

Calgary has to get 6 out of a possible 8 points pass the Blues if the Blues lose out in regulation. That would give them 94 points to 93 as Calgary loses ROW tiebreaker.

Do you find it more likely the Flames get at least 6 points in the next 4 games or that the Blues lose both games in regulation?

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Folks keep questioning my logic while we watch it slowly turn to fact. Stop doing that.

Two game losing streak and the Flames are coming hard. If Holloway doesn't return quick and we don't get help from other teams, we will end up exactly where I predicted all through the year - barelyissing the playoffs.

Folks with your logic on paper need to realize that the logic only works IF THE BLUES WIN. Flames games in hand might be THE nail if we can't get rolling and win out.

The Flames lost last night to the Ducks. Did you miss that?

Its a playoff race. The Blues have the upper hand...by a lot. Its not certain, but some of the statements and hand-wringing over a tough loss in McDavid's return on the road is over the top.

There isn't a sane person on earth who would take Calgary's chances over the Blues. The Blues still control their own destiny. If Calgary loses one more game, they likely toast. Honestly, the Blues could lose out and still sneak in.

Do they look 'gassed' or 'tired'? They look like every other team playing their hardest down the stretch. I don't doubt several guys are a bit beat up. One more Blues win and suddenly Calgary is down to its last strike where a single missing point dooms them.

I'm not losing any sleep over the Blues losing last night. I'm pissed about the officiating. I bet the team is too, but in a constructive way. These games right here are the POINT of what Armstrong tried to assemble. The young guys like Snuggerud and Dvorsky, even Bolduc, are coming into an environment of high compete, fighting for post-season status. Enjoy this! Last season this part of the year sucked, and we just tried to get excited about the draft.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

If being a fan of a team was built solely on logic, you'd have no fans in Buffalo. Being a fan means you're with a team even when it's illogical to because you believe that one day they'll make it.

Anyone who was a Blues before 2019, and I've been one since the 80's, gave up on logic and stuck to belief because it's who we are.

Fact is, I can say what I do and I still believe in this team finding a way. They did it in 2019 and I believe they will do it again.

Reading that, you are pretty much admitting your position is illogically pessimistic.

There is literally (in the actual meaning of that word) no one on here claiming the Blues have clinched a spot. We all understand its possible to miss the playoffs. Its just extremely unlikely requiring Calgary to nearly win out and/or St Louis to lose the rest of their games. Looking at the opponents each team plays, it looks extremely unlikely Calgary can win out, or that St Louis will lose out.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Team	Magic Number to clinch Playoffs	Current Points	Games Remaining	Possible Points	RW	ROW
Blues	4 (maybe 3)	93	2	97	31	39
Wild	3	93	3	99	34	40
Flames	.	88	4	96	28	33

OK, we're down to 3 teams to track. I'm going to map out the end of the season with relevant games:
4/10 - no games
4/11 - Wild @ Flames (pretty crazy, if the Flames win in regulation, the Blues are then tied with Minnesota (with them holding the tiebreaker) so there is a decent chance to still pass the Wild. We just want a regulation result in this game.
4/12 - Wild @ Canucks, Blues @ Kraken
4/13 - Sharks @ Flames
4/14 - no games
4/15 - Utah @ St Louis, Ducks @ Wild, Golden Knights @ Flames (This night will decide a lot. If Calgary is still alive by this point, its time to finally start actually worrying about missing the playoffs.)
4/16 - no games
4/17 - Flames @ Kings

 

[GoldenSeal]

Reading that, you are pretty much admitting your position is illogically pessimistic.

Optimism and Pessimism are the exact same thing, the only difference is in which side of the line is facing you.

Being illogical is just being a pre-2019 Blues fan. I say what I do to get it out there in the hopes I can get proven wrong or folks can steer me right. The opinions on the board seesaw like the worst bipolar cases on most days but there's a lot of quality responses too and I love arguing and I appreciate those the most.

Feeling as I do, I can't help but believe. Being a Blues fan is more than hockey, at least for me. Maybe other folks get that. But feeling like I do might seem illogical, but we won a cup on Short Handed Goals, lets take a moment and appreciate the illogics in that and other things.

The pessimism folks call me on is just me refusing to blindly believe we'll do something without noticing and identifying the concerns. That doesn't make me illogical, it makes me Pragmatic, something I'm hoping coaching and the front office will take abit more interest in.

 

[TruBlueFan1970]

It would be the easiest way to a playoff spot, but to be honest, it shouldn't have to matter who wins, as I prefer we win our own two games. I'm perfectly fine if CGY wins so we have a chance to pass the Wild.

Some people mentioned we seem gassed, which could very well be true, but have you seen Calgary lately? Talking about a team on their last legs... They had a lot of games heading into overtime lately and will now have to play 4 games in a very short timespan against difficult opponents (not counting the Sharks). If CGY wants to have a shot at the playoffs, they probably need to win ALL 4 games (or 3 if STL loses both games against UTAH and SEA), I'm not a betting man, but I definitely wouldn't put any money on it if I were them.

I agree that both teams are looking gassed. My point was that I just want to get in after back to back losses. If that means CGY losing and we back in, fine by me. I miss playoff hockey and would prefer we just make it and I really don’t care if we finish in WC1 or WC2. Just get in by any means possible. Go Minny!!!

 

[AjaxManifesto]

This is a great thread about confirming to group think or get called out. Someone cue up Subdivisions by Rush.

I'm with the outliers here in being worried about the Blues. Their game has fallen apart lately so I'm concerned. The Wild a few weeks ago looked similar, but they appear to be ramping up their game. Having their superstars return helps a lot. Odds are the Blues get it together and get the job done, but they are getting sloppy, so that doesn't bode well for the 1st round. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if we lost one (or shockingly both) of the next two and have to rely on others for our fate.

I hope for the best, but I won't pretend to be blind to what I am seeing. Lack of energy, sloppy on D, and a reduction in fore checking are some of the things that are hobbling this team right now. We used up our "luck" credits during the 12-game run, so I'm worried that we may play well in a game but come up short due to an unlucky bounce or a bad call or two. We are due for some bad luck, just a hunch.

I think we could handle Parayko being injured all this time, but losing Holloway has taken an impactful amount of energy and skill out of our team. It's now really showing.

Bigger view, back in December we were talking off season and not post season, so this 12-game streak gives us an idea of what we are capable of. We might be a few years early, but it's good to see that this team can be impactful.

 

[Xerloris]

Optimism and Pessimism are the exact same thing, the only difference is in which side of the line is facing you.

They are literally the opposite of each other.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

This is a great thread about confirming to group think or get called out. Someone cue up Subdivisions by Rush.

I'm with the outliers here in being worried about the Blues. Their game has fallen apart lately so I'm concerned. The Wild a few weeks ago looked similar, but they appear to be ramping up their game. Having their superstars return helps a lot. Odds are the Blues get it together and get the job done, but they are getting sloppy, so that doesn't bode well for the 1st round. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if we lost one (or shockingly both) of the next two and have to rely on others for our fate.

I hope for the best, but I won't pretend to be blind to what I am seeing. Lack of energy, sloppy on D, and a reduction in fore checking are some of the things that are hobbling this team right now. We used up our "luck" credits during the 12-game run, so I'm worried that we may play well in a game but come up short due to an unlucky bounce or a bad call or two. We are due for some bad luck, just a hunch.

I think we could handle Parayko being injured all this time, but losing Holloway has taken a impactful amount of energy and skill out of our team. It's now really showing.

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that you are worried. "Their game has fallen apart lately." You and I are not watching the same games.

You can call it groupthink, but I think I have a pretty damn good precedent for calling it my own way. I was probably the first person on this board who believed they were a playoff team in 2019, after going to a game in person in Dallas when they were still a LONG way off. Go back and read that historic thread and you'll see that I as an almost solitary voice of optimism at that time.

I also have plenty of posts this season including preseason predictions expecting them to not make the playoffs this year. But I didn't account for Montgomery, or the 4 Nations bump. My opinions are my own. Its pretty condescending to reduce an opinion you disagree with to 'groupthink'.

Losing at the last second to the Oilers is not "falling apart". What will you wager me that the Blues don't lose the next two games? I don't bet sports, but I'd take that wager that they win one of the remaining games, minimum. I bet they actually win both, or maybe they'll fritter away the last game if they are already in, resting guys.

If they DO win one game and lose in regulation, then Calgary has to be flawless the rest of the way.

How you could watch this team the latter part of the season and not see their heart is beyond me. This is not a team that is going to piss away their opportunity and miss the playoffs. They will not allow it to happen. This is a team that has gelled, that are playing for one another, that is much greater than the sum of its parts. The schedule affords them a good amount of rest for each of the two remaining games, and against opponents that really don't scare anybody. The Blues will handle their business and not even need Calgary to give them points.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Tell us how you really feel, Yappi.

 

[Louie the Blue]

This is a great thread about confirming to group think or get called out. Someone cue up Subdivisions by Rush.

I'm with the outliers here in being worried about the Blues. Their game has fallen apart lately so I'm concerned. The Wild a few weeks ago looked similar, but they appear to be ramping up their game. Having their superstars return helps a lot. Odds are the Blues get it together and get the job done, but they are getting sloppy, so that doesn't bode well for the 1st round. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if we lost one (or shockingly both) of the next two and have to rely on others for our fate.

I hope for the best, but I won't pretend to be blind to what I am seeing. Lack of energy, sloppy on D, and a reduction in fore checking are some of the things that are hobbling this team right now. We used up our "luck" credits during the 12-game run, so I'm worried that we may play well in a game but come up short due to an unlucky bounce or a bad call or two. We are due for some bad luck, just a hunch.

I think we could handle Parayko being injured all this time, but losing Holloway has taken an impactful amount of energy and skill out of our team. It's now really showing.

Bigger view, back in December we were talking off season and not post season, so this 12-game streak gives us an idea of what we are capable of. We might be a few years early, but it's good to see that this team can be impactful.

They just dropped 2 games against two PO teams.

Yes, they didn’t look great at the end of the winning streak either. But no team is perfect.

Just need to get in and not be too banged up.

 

[AjaxManifesto]

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that you are worried. "Their game has fallen apart lately." You and I are not watching the same games.

You can call it groupthink, but I think I have a pretty damn good precedent for calling it my own way. I was probably the first person on this board who believed they were a playoff team in 2019, after going to a game in person in Dallas when they were still a LONG way off. Go back and read that historic thread and you'll see that I as an almost solitary voice of optimism at that time.

I also have plenty of posts this season including preseason predictions expecting them to not make the playoffs this year. But I didn't account for Montgomery, or the 4 Nations bump. My opinions are my own. Its pretty condescending to reduce an opinion you disagree with to 'groupthink'.

Losing at the last second to the Oilers is not "falling apart". What will you wager me that the Blues don't lose the next two games? I don't bet sports, but I'd take that wager that they win one of the remaining games, minimum. I bet they actually win both, or maybe they'll fritter away the last game if they are already in, resting guys.

If they DO win one game and lose in regulation, then Calgary has to be flawless the rest of the way.

How you could watch this team the latter part of the season and not see their heart is beyond me. This is not a team that is going to piss away their opportunity and miss the playoffs. They will not allow it to happen. This is a team that has gelled, that are playing for one another, that is much greater than the sum of its parts. The schedule affords them a good amount of rest for each of the two remaining games, and against opponents that really don't scare anybody. The Blues will handle their business and not even need Calgary to give them points.

Group think only in the sense that a few of us, myself included, hated seeing the Jets game and voiced some concerns at the time, only to get trashed personally for our views. It was really odd to me.

I respect your optimism here. It gives me some hope that things are not as bad as I think they are.

 

[Beninnola]

My favorite part of all of this is the Colorado broadcaster guy saying our win streak was luck when it was our throttling of his team that flipped me bullish. Then we beat the crap out of so many teams in a row before it started to get closer again.

In less than a week the Utahns will be ready to hit the golf course but have to deal with a hungry and physical version of us at home before they do.

My stress level over this is 0.

 

[TheDizee]

if we win out, we are in. we are playing a bottom feeder team and then a subpar team at home. if they cant get another 4 points against these teams, then they wouldnt be good enough anyways.

i also dont think either of minnesota or calgary will be winning out. but we should not rely on them losing, just win.

im still hoping for a pacific bracket and some new teams to play in the playoffs. we have never played any team over there outside of LA.

 

[StLewis11]

At the first of the year, I certainly didn't expect for them to be in this spot, so I'm enjoying the situation. I of course hope they make playoffs & do damage, but I also realize this season is about experience and growth. Get bolduc, neighbors, toro, possibly snuggy and dvo some playoff experience so they can see what they’re up against.

And even guys who have had some experience, kyrou and Thomas and Holloway and broberg. Getting them experience as the team’s top dogs will be beneficial.

Things are looking up but we are still a tier below the big dogs… for now…

 

[HighNote]

I was probably the first person on this board who believed they were a playoff team in 2019, after going to a game in person in Dallas when they were still a LONG way off. Go back and read that historic thread and you'll see that I as an almost solitary voice of optimism at that time.

Nope, sorry, it was me.

 

[Ranksu]

If being a fan of a team was built solely on logic, you'd have no fans in Buffalo. Being a fan means you're with a team even when it's illogical to because you believe that one day they'll make it.

Anyone who was a Blues before 2019, and I've been one since the 80's, gave up on logic and stuck to belief because it's who we are.

Fact is, I can say what I do and I still believe in this team finding a way. They did it in 2019 and I believe they will do it again.

Do you compre this team to 2019 team?

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Do you compre this team to 2019 team?

Well, they wear the same jerseys.

 

[execwrite1]

The rebuild is complete, the pipeline is full of young talent, and next year promises to be a great season. All is well in Blues world.

Making the playoffs this year would be huge, and missing out will make a lot of players angry and more dedicated than ever to put in the hard work in the off-season.

Losing Holloway shows how important he is in every aspect of the game. He could have been the difference maker in the Winnipeg and Edmonton games.

Still hopeful - but concerned. Let's get this playoff spot clinched, by whatever means necessary.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

The rebuild is complete, the pipeline is full of young talent, and next year promises to be a great season. All is well in Blues world.

Making the playoffs this year would be huge, and missing out will make a lot of players angry and more dedicated than ever to put in the hard work in the off-season.

Losing Holloway shows how important he is in every aspect of the game. He could have been the difference maker in the Winnipeg and Edmonton games.

Still hopeful - but concerned. Let's get this playoff spot clinched, by whatever means necessary.

If I'm Holloway's agent, I'm bringing two things to the next contract negotiation:

1. A WOWY chart for Holloway
2. A sticky note with a number between $8-$10 mil written on it.

I don't think they'd even have to say anything.

 

[Beauterham]

The rebuild is complete, the pipeline is full of young talent, and next year promises to be a great season. All is well in Blues world.

I still think to complete the re-whatever we will have to add a 2C/3C and a top 4 RD (+maybe another RD in case we move Faulk).

I fully expect Army to be aggressive in the offseason and either fill those spots in UFA or trades as the team has shown enough signs that our window of opportunity will open soon. Adding the mentioned 2/3 players might give us just enough of a push to do that. The more I think of it, the more I expect us NOT to pick in the 1st-round next draft.

It's weird, because if we continue our play from before the 4-nations, I definitely think we would have a totally different offseason.