Has anyone else noticed that the streaking Detroit Red Wings bear a striking resemblence to the streaking Calgary Flames?
In fact in many ways the two clubs are mirror images of each other:
- Detroit has allowed the fewest goals in the league at even-strength with 12. The Flames are second at 15.
- The Flames are averaging 2.71 GPG thus far this season (20th). The Red Wings are at 2.76 (18th).
- Calgary's PP sucks pretty badly (11.8%, 27th). The Red Wing's is the worst in the league (9.1%, 30th).
- Neither team excels with a man-down either. Calgary has managed to kill of about 80% of their penalties so far (25th), while Detroit is only slightly better than that (81.2%, 21st).
Course, there are some differences as well. Detroit excels at limiting shots against. The Flames have been less effective in that regard so far. This particular contrast is rooted in the dissimliar manner in which each team plays the game: Detroit is a puck possession hockey club. They spend a large portion of the game making the other team chase the puck around like tykes. If you watch the match tonight, you'll notice that there will be instances where Detroit doesn't even seem to be skating all that hard - and yet the Flames won't be able to get the puck away from them anyways. Smart, pin-point passing reigns in Detroit.
On the other hand, Calgary employs a high-tempo puck pursuit strategy. Low risk plays like dumping the puck in on the rush and rimming the puck along the boards on the break-out is how the Flames roll. In a pinch, Calgary players will neglect the middle of the ice because it's safer to play along the boards. Physical play, hard work and timely scoring built on a foundation of stout goaltending and defense are the keys to any Calgary victory.
So two winning streaks collide this evening. Two teams with polar opposite gameplans that have thus far rendered highly equitable results. Hard to predict who's going to win, though it's safe to say it'll be a low scoring affair. I guess whoever manages to get a PP goal will be the victor...
Go Flames!
