I’m no Calgary Flames fan — growing into an Edmonton Oilers fan when I took a job at the University of Alberta made that almost impossible. But sometimes, you’ve got to set old rivalries aside and root for some chaos and payback. This would be the kind of chaos that looks like poetic justice. The kind that might knock the St. Louis Blues out of the playoff picture after one of the coldest mid-season coaching moves in my recent memory.

Blue’s Doug Armstrong’s Cold-Hearted Move

Doug Armstrong’s decision to fire Drew Bannister after just 22 games and replace him with Jim Montgomery wasn’t subtle. According to Elliotte Friedman, this wasn’t about Bannister’s performance — it was about opportunity. On one hand, NHL hockey is a professional enterprise, and those involved know the score.

In addition, Armstrong had been eyeing Montgomery for over a year. So, the second Boston let him go, Armstrong jumped, and Bannister was toast. It doesn’t matter if he barely had time to put his nameplate on the office door. Professional, sure. But also cold, calculated, and ruthless.

Yes, the Blues went on a heater after the switch, rattling off wins and looking like they might punch their ticket to the playoffs. They still might, and probably will.

But lately? They’re on a three-game losing streak that has popped up at the worst possible time. It has opened the door a tiny bit for Calgary. And, somehow, the Flames are still hanging around in the hunt.

Is Karma Calling for the Blues? Flames Fans Have to Hope So

And as much as it would usually pain me to say it, I hope the Flames pull it off. Wouldn’t that be something? Of all teams, given the pre-season expectations, the Flames could sneak into the playoffs at the last second. If they did, they would push the Blues out in the process.

I’m rooting for the Flames, but it’s not because I suddenly love them. But sometimes, karma deserves a little consideration.

Armstrong’s win-at-all-costs move might’ve looked like smart business, but it left a sour taste for me — and cost a guy like Bannister what could’ve been a real shot. The NHL is a results-driven league, but there’s still something to be said for fairness, and this one felt like a move too far. It would be poetic justice at its finest.

Just This Once for Me, Go Flames Go

So here’s to hoping the hockey gods are winking. Just this once: let the Flames keep winning, and the Blues keep losing. That would serve up a little sweet justice. Bannister deserved better. And the Blues? Maybe it would be nice for them to feel what a little bad karma looks like.

Related: Scott Laughton Is Going to Be Just Fine with the Maple Leafs