Flames seven- game segments has team on verge of playoffs
As it turns out, the Calgary Flames’ master plan of breaking down the 2014- 15 National Hockey League into seven- game “segments” actually worked.
With Monday’s 5- 3 victory over the Dallas Stars, they finished off their final “series” which was how the coaching staff broke down the year to keep the players focused on the task ahead.
Like they’d hoped all season, the team is still in the mix, sitting third in the Pacific Division with a 42- 28- 7 record.
“I said ( at the beginning of the year), ‘ Make sure we’re good in our seven game segments and you’ll see we’re going to be in the picture,’” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley. “Not that I’m a great guy in math, but I knew by being good in our seven game segments, despite the fact we had an eight- game slide ( in December), we’re right there.
“This is the best time of the year. We put ourselves in a situation where we can enjoy those games, where we can learn about the process of being a playoff team ... it’s been lots of fun.”
Also fun ... Not having to cross their fingers every time a Western Conference opponent plays. For now, anyway.
The month of March has consisted of the Flames checking the standings and out- of- town results following every game to discover their playoff position.
But because they’ve been taking care of their own business, matters are back in their own hands.
They’ve claimed four points out of a possible six so far on this fivegame road trip and, with the last seven- game segment completed on Monday at Dallas, there are five games remaining.
“Hey, we’re all watching, we’re no different than you guys,” Hartley said. “It’s fun. I’m sure the entire city is watching. But our motivation is to keep playing well. We have five big games in front of us. The guys put us in that situation.
“They deserve the credit.”
For the third- straight game, Jonas Hiller will start in net for the Flames.
The 33- year- old Swiss goalie backstopped the team’s wins at Dallas and Nashville, allowing five goals on 65 shots in that span.
Prior to relieving Karri Ramo on Friday at Minnesota ( for 6: 44 minutes in total) which has started his recent string of starts, he was in net for a 4- 0 blanking by the St. Louis Blues on March 17.
“Hills has played very good,” said Hartley of the veteran goalie. “He’s given us two big wins in two nights and ( the team had) a good day off ( Tuesday), a practice ( Wednesday).”
And, again, Hartley quickly deflated any thoughts of a goaltending controversy.
“Both guys can win us games,” he said. “Last week, Karri gave us a good streak. Jonas is getting the job done. It’s a good problem. I have no problem with this. We have two guys that can win us the big games.”
Defenceman Kris Russell missed Wednesday’s skate at St. Louis for “personal reasons,” as did forward Paul Byron. Judging by the lines, it appears Missouri native Brandon Bollig will draw back in for winger Michael Ferland, but Hartley didn’t give any hints.
“We haven’t made all our decisions on the lineup yet,” he said. “We’re getting pretty healthy so we have lots of options ... ( Thursday), we’ll be set on our lineup.”