The Calgary Flames could put a huge dent in the playoff hopes of the Edmonton Oilers with a win over their provincial rivals at Rexall Place tonight.
The Oilers trail the Vancouver Canucks by two points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with two games remaining on the schedule. The Flames currently sit in seventh place in the West, two points ahead of the Canucks and one point back of the Colorado Avalanche. The Flames have three games left to play.
On February 23, the Oilers had 59 points, placing them in 14th place in the Western Conference standings, 13 points out of the playoff picture. But since then, they have put together the third highest winning percentage in the entire league, including 10 wins in the month of March, to get back into the race.
What makes the feat more impressive is the fact the success has come without the likes of Shawn Horcoff, Raffi Torres and Sheldon Souray in the lineup. Defenceman Joni Pitkanen had an MRI on his injured groin Monday and is doubtful for tonight.
While the Flames have been targeting the Northwest Divivion title in recent weeks, their inconsistent play has them focusing more on simply clinching a playoff berth. The Flames have lost two in a row but can clinch a spot with win tonight and a regulation loss by the Nashville Predators, who visit the St. Louis Blues.
Daymond Langkow (personal) is expected to back in time for tonight's game but Craig Conroy (torso) is questionable.
The struggling Canucks could do themselves a huge favour with a win at home tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. A victory would keep them in a playoff spot and within striking distance of the sixth-place Avalanche with one game in hand. A loss could land them outside the playoff picture with just two games remaining.
The Avalanche can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Canucks. Centre Peter Forsberg skated with the team on Monday and is considered "probable" for tonight. He has missed half of the Avalanche's 14 games since he made his season debut March 4. Defenceman John-Michael Liles (groin) didn't practice Monday, but the he is expected to play.
