Both Alberta teams are playing so well this November it's a fools errand to try to predict an outcome to tonight's match. Flames have a more dependable blueline and goalie, but the Oil seem to score more goals. Calgary has lost only once in November, but Edmonton's lost only 4 times (I believe) despite having a brutal road schedule. So far, of course, the Flames have beaten the Oilers 3-0 and 3-1...which means either the Flames have the Oilers number and will probably win again, or the Oilers are due for a victory. This game just seems to defy confident predictions...
And now some Flames only stuff -
Even though Calgary is the hottest team in the NHL, winning 10 of their last 11, they still have a GF/GA differential of exactly 0. The Flames have allowed only 62 goals against in 24 games (average of 2.58 per game), but have also only scored 62 goals for (same average). In comparison, Ottawa scores about 4.63 goals per game (1st in the league), Vancouver scores 3.30 GPG (10th) and the Panthers score 2.18 GPG (29th). The Flame's 2.58 GPG put them about 26th in the league. Only struggling clubs like Anaheim, San Jose, Columbus and the aforemention Floridians are below us. Hell...even the BLUES score more often, on average, than Calgary. That's just bad, especially considering their main offensive weapon has either been too fat or too injured to play most of the year.
So, why is it Calgary can't score? Personally, I think it's mainly due to a lack of secondary scoring - consider that after Iginla's 23 points, the next best forward is Amonte at 16. And after Kobasew with 12 points, the 3rd and 4th liners have been conspicously absent from the score sheet. Consider:
- Yelle hasn't scored in over 20 games. Ditto for Donovan.
- Simon has 2 goals in 18 games so far this year. Both of them came in a single contest against LA.
- Jason Wiemer and Byron Ritchie have played 34 games combined and have all of 2 points between them.
- Darren McCarty has played 20 games and has 2 goals.
- Marcus Nilson has the most points out of all the "3rd/4th" line types with 8!
- In fact, the 8 players that make up the "grind" and "energy" lines for the Flames have as many goals as Jarome Iginla (11)! Combined! And Iginla isn't exactly tearing up the league goal wise right now...
Beyond secondary scoring, Calgary's primary scoring is hardly anything to fear. Only Iginla has more than 10 goals and 20 points on the team. Even with those totals, Iginla is well outside of the leagues top scorers right now. Also, Both Langkow and Reinprecht have only 4 goals apiece (in 24 games played). Jordan Leopold, much valued for his offensive potential, has all of 3 assists. I'd say the only skaters delivering on their offensive promise so far are Roman Hamrlik (4 goals, 14 points) and Dion Phaneuf (5 goals, 14 points). Kobasew perhaps warrants a mention here with his 9 goals, although he only has 3 assists to accompany them.
I know, I know...why complain during the good times?? Can't argue with 10 wins in 11 games, right? Well, frankly, Part of it is the worry-wort in me that thinks the Flames will have to ramp up their offense in order to be consistently succesful all season long. And part of it is the fan in me who likes to see Flames players showing up on the scoresheets and leaderboards where I think they belong. Whatever the truth of it is, my conclusion remains this: the Flames will have to discover more primary AND secondary scoring eventually if they want to be one of the top teams in the league. Darryl Sutter thinks that Goal Differential is a crucial stat in evaluating a team's success and abilities...and I agree with him.
