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NHL Power Rankings: Lightning strikes, Flames burn out

By Derek Grochowski

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 24: Ondrej Palat
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 24: Ondrej Palat /
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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 24: Calgary Flames Goalie David Rittich (33) sits down in front of the net anticipating a shot during the game between the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the SAP Center, San Jose, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 24: Calgary Flames Goalie David Rittich (33) sits down in front of the net anticipating a shot during the game between the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the SAP Center, San Jose, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

26. Calgary Flames (-6)

The Calgary Flames have burned out. Just a few weeks ago, the Flames were pushing for the playoffs just a few points out. They have slid down the race and are now nine points out with six games left in the season. Injuries are mainly what derailed a promising season. The most damaging injury was the one to Mike Smith. Smith missed a total of 13 games during a crucial part of the season. The Flames struggled and never fully got back to their winning ways. Next season the Flames will need to add better depth options at forward. The Jaromir Jagr experiment did not work out this season and they really missed his expected output.

It was not too long ago people were talking about the Flames pushing for a playoff spot; now they have crashed out of the playoff chase and are left to pick up the pieces. After the way the season started for the Flames, this will feel like a major disappointment. The Flames are currently on a six-game losing streak. They dropped games last week to the Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. This is the stretch of games that officially put the Flames out. If they could have won even half of those games, they would still be somewhat alive in the playoff race. Instead, they dropped all those games, many against fringe playoff teams. The Flames close out their schedule with games against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights.

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