And now the bullets.
- Like last year, Calgary started out poorly, only to right the ship in November. Unforunately, the Flames have fallen back to .500 recently thanks to their inability to play anything resembling decent hockey on the road. With the latest 1-3-0 skid, Calgary is once again in the basement looking up at their divisional rivals. In order to climb back into contention, the Flames will have to figure out how to ratchet up their special teams play to at least middling levels on the road. In their 3 most recent defeats, Calgary has allowed 5 goals against on 14 penalty kills. In contrast, the Flames only scored 1 PP goal during those 3 games in 15 opportunities. The resultant PK and PP rates, 64% and 7% respectively, go a long way to explaining the Flames road issues. Consider that in their last 3 wins (all at home), Calgary scored 5 PPG on 16 chances (31%) and allowed only 1 PPG against on 13 opposition opportunities (92%). It's like mensa at home and Earnest on the road. If the Flames can strike a balance between the two, while continuing their strong ES play, they'll be a very good hockey club. For now, they are a very mediocre one.
- Like the shoddy away play, a consipicuous lack of scoring from the supporting cast is another malingering issue from last season. Combined, the 6 players that make up the 3rd and 4th units (Byron Ritchie, Jamie Lundmark, Darren McCarty, Marcus Nilson, Jeff Friesen and Tony Amonte) only have 8 goals - 5 of which are from Amonte. That's less than Kristian Huselius. The total of their summed points (21) is less than Jarome Iginla's point total. And he's not even in the top 20 in league scoring. Granted, a number of these guys don't get much of a chance to play - McCarty has averaged 5:35 in his 19 GP - but one has to expect the bottom liners to contribute at least occassionally. If they can't score at least sometimes (or worse, can't even play enough to make any kind of difference), it's time to waive, trade or bring up a rookie.
- On the sunnier side of the picture, Jarome Iginla and Miika Kiprusoff have been the team's undisputed stars. Kipper is currently 4th in the league in terms of GAA, 2nd in SV%. For his part, Iginla is on pace for a 41 goal, 89 point season. A significant improvement over his 60 odd point campaign last year. At least part of the reason for Iginla's resurgance is the presence of Alex Tanguay, who has only recently started to find his groove in Calgary colors. Over the last 8 games he has 1 goal and 10 assists.
- Not that it's just the first liners scoring. Matthew Lombardi is this season's most pleasant surprise. He currently has 7 goals and 16 points and is a team best +13. Also, Kristian Huselius is probably the hottest Calgary forward currently - over the last 7 contests, he's managed 6 goals and 8 points.
To wrap-up, I'll include the Flames current ESP/60 stats.
They basically show what I've been saying: the top end players are carrying the weight offense-wise while the bottom enders (and the defensemen) are basically useless at producing at ES. Notice in particular Jeff Friesen's appalling figure. One point six million tears should be shed for his contract.
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Tonight Calgary takes on divisional rival Colorado. Thanks to a pre-november bet, yours truly will win $50 if the Flames lose (I bet on a 6-4-3, 15 point record for the month). Therefore, expect an absurd blow-out in the Flames favor. Their strength at home and my inability to catch a break in these sorts of circumstances virtually guarantees a Calgary victory...
Flames 7, Avs 2. Iginla, Tanguay (2), Lombardi, Huselius, Regehr and *snicker* Friesen with the goals. Brunette and Wolski for the Avs.
Go Flames!
