CALGARY – The only thing standing between the Calgary Flames and an eighth-place tie with Winnipeg is a win against the NHL’s last-place club.
However, as these Flames have proven all season long, it’s not that simple.
Like so many other bottom feeders Calgary has stumbled against, the Chicago Blackhawks have gotten the better of the Flames this season.
In fact, they’ve been perfect, compiling a 2-0 record against Darryl Sutter’s bunch.
Yet somehow, this one feels different.
Tuesday’s matchup at the Saddledome will feature a host club with newfound confidence and momentum that has them on a season-high, four-game winning streak.
With the team’s playoff hopes on the line, they’ve played with a sense of urgency that has them coming off their first two third-period comeback wins of the season.
It doesn’t get more dramatic than that.
Both 5-4 wins allowed the Flames to stay within two points of a Jets team that has also turned up the heat its last two outings, setting up a highly-anticipated showdown in Winnipeg between the two on Wednesday.
A win over the Blackhawks beforehand sets up a temporary tiebreaker for the final playoff spot in the west.
After Tuesday morning’s skate, Flames players will trot out endless reminders of the importance of taking it a game at a time and not looking beyond Chicago.
Easier said than done, even if the Hawks have lost eight in a row while being outscored 37-13.
There was plenty of debate around town Monday over whether Jacob Markstrom should be rested ahead of Wednesday’s game, allowing Dan Vladar to start Tuesday.
Markstrom allowed two goals in the opening period of Sunday’s win over Anaheim, prompting Sutter to try shaking up the team with the insertion of Vladar.
With three games in four nights, the players were given the day off Monday, but a handful chose to skate at the Dome where Chris Tanev was spotted taking part for the first time since injury has kept him out of the lineup the last six games.
It’s encouraging news for fans who know the importance of having the veteran blueliner in the mix.
His potential return has also prompted debate on whether Tanev’s return would bump Michael Stone or Troy Stecher from the lineup.
Stone returned from a lengthy foot injury Sunday to blast home the late game winner, while Stecher has been a steady fan favourite in town since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Solid options, both.
The hue and cry to have Jakob Pelletier and Matt Coronato in the lineup has quieted, as the lineup that has helped them win five of their last six remains almost fully intact.
It was two weeks ago the Flames were handed an 8-2 drubbing in L.A. that had many believing the group’s playoff chase had essentially ended.
Au contraire, as the team’s character and resilience have been on full display through a gritty stretch that has seen them stay in the hunt.
Moneypuck.com has pegged the Flames’ current chances of making the playoffs at 29.6% – a number sure to increase significantly if the team is able to post a win over Chicago.
Their last visit, the Hawks won 5-1 without Patrick Kane in the lineup, giving 23-year-old Jaxson Stauber one of his first NHL wins.
The Flames lost 4-3 in overtime in their only other meeting.
But now, with the season on the line, it’s not about looking back.
The Flames understand how lax they’ve been against rebuilding clubs all season long, and vow to atone.
If they can, the eyes of the hockey world will take a rare gaze towards Manitoba Wednesday for an eighth-place gunfight few will want to miss.
