Calgary Flames Daily: Recent Playoff Push, Kris Versteeg

Mar 5, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Kris Versteeg (10) celebrates his goal with center Sam Bennett (93) in front of New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Kris Versteeg (10) celebrates his goal with center Sam Bennett (93) in front of New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Good  morning Calgary Flames fans! The Flames get a few days off before their next game on Thursday. Let’s check out some news surrounding the Flames.

It’s a cold day in Alberta today (surprise, surprise). The Calgary Flames have three days off before taking on the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. I will personally be going to that game, so please win, Flames.

Something surrounding the NHL lately is actually this team, the Flames. They’re currently on a seven-game win streak which is their highest of the season and on a nine-game point streak. This seven-game win streak is also the longest active win-streak in the NHL right now. Good job Flames. You’re doing something right.

But now people are starting to talk more about this team. Not only are they just trying to stay in the running anymore, but they’re gunning for those top dogs. They now have a 93% chance of making the playoffs. I mean, unless they go on like a 10-game losing streak (please don’t do that).

The Flames’ magic number is now 13.5. What this means is every win the Flames have, that number goes down by 1. Every regulation loss the Los Angeles Kings have, that number goes down by 1. Every OT/SO loss for any of these teams, it goes down by 0.5. Once that number hits 0, the Flames officially clinch a playoff spot.

And at the same time, being a Flames fan, we’ve learned over the years to hate the Kings. But now with Jarome Iginla on their team, I feel conflicted.

Great, now I thought about Jarome Iginla and I’m sad. Let’s move on to something happier. Like Kris Versteeg!

After thinking his NHL career was over, he got a chance again this year with the Flames and he said he would love to play here again next season. However, he knows anything can happen.

Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames

Via Calgary Herald:

"“I would love to be here,” said Versteeg who has played for Chicago, Toronto, Philadelphia, Florida, Chicago (again), Carolina and L.A. “This has been an amazing year for me. It started off a little rough with getting hurt at the start of the year and then not knowing where I was going to fit in the lineup.“Since I came back from that (groin) injury, I was finding my way into the lineup and finding my role on the team. It’s been exciting. It’s been fun trying to help the young guys. I’ve been playing with Benny a lot lately and trying to help his career blossom. It’s been fun all around.”“Me and my agent have talked a lot about different scenarios and situations,” he said. “Being in Calgary is obviously No. 1 for me. I have my family, I have my friends. I feel like I’ve made a lot of good friends on the team and in the organization. Here is where my heart is, especially right now. But things change and you never know.“The business is pretty crazy.”"

Some links surrounding the Flames to get you through your morning

Calgary Flames recent success making strong playoff case (Puck Prose).

What we want: a Battle of Alberta in 2017, Oilers vs Flames in the playoffs (Edmonton Journal).

Calgary Versteeg’s ‘No.1’ option for next season (Calgary Herald).

Calgary Flames prospect Matthew Phillips is scoring many goals (Matchsticks and Gasoline).

Some other links surrounding hockey and the NHL

The perfect NHL: 3 points for a win, no blocked shot and 1 faceoff dot? (CBC Sports).

General managers look to NHL’s future (NHL.com).

NHL GMs thinking outside the box to improve hockey’s future (Sportsnet).

Stars end Capitals’ home win streak (NHL.com).

Next: Flame For Thought's 3 Stars Of The Week Feb 27- Mar 5

That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Unfortunately, no game to look forward to tonight. I mean, unless you want to make sure other teams in the Pacific division are losing.