..the Flames have as many points as the Phoenix Coyotes. That's right, two thirds of the way through the year and the Flames are jousting for a play-off spot with the GOD DAMNED PHOENIX COYOTES. With apologies to Gretzky and his players and what they've accomplished this year, that's friggen ridiculous. I should also mention that the 'Yotes have more wins (31 vs 29), superior special teams (9th PP, 16th PK vs 21st PP, 22nd PK) and a better GD (+4 vs -4). The final kick in the groin? Their roster is about 10M cheaper than the Flames as well.
Ugh. If that isn't enough to send you red-faced and teary-eyed to the liquor cabinet, consider that David Moss has re-injured his ankle. That means more of Wayne Primeau in the line-up (probably). The big guns are still mis-firing, with Iginla spending a lot of time fishing for pucks in his skates while Langkow and Huselius are busy regressing back to their career norms. Tanguay looks as uneasy on the ice as he did when he first got here (trade deadline might have something to do with that) and only one in five passes from the defensemen to the forwards on the transition actually succeeds. On top of that fetid shit pile is a consistently inconsistent Kiprusoff, whose SV% has once again slipped below the base level for average NHL 'tenders (0.900) once again. In short, things are getting ugly. Sutter has about a week to decide if he wants to hang on to guys like Huselius and Langkow and make a hard charge towards the play-offs, or convert them into younger, cheaper players and future assets. Flames can make that decision a little easier or little more difficult for him this evening.
Anyways, let's forgo the prediction for tonight. I'll simply cross the fingers of the hand that isn't gripping the whiskey bottle and hope for the best.
