Calgary Flames: Five Things That Are Working For This Team
The Calgary Flames are 5-6-1 and despite having a very slow start, they seem to be doing a lot better. They may have had a few games here and there that were still a little rough, but some things are working out for them.
The Calgary Flames had an impressive win against the San Jose Sharks Friday evening and managed to maintain a wild card position. Despite losing the two games before that, they still put up notable efforts. They finish up their California road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday evening (oh no, not the Honda Center).
Like I said, they’re putting up some impressive efforts. And even though there is still much to work on, some things seem to be working in their favor. So let’s look at what is working.
Note: This is in no consecutive order. I love everything here equally, I do no discriminate.
Carry on.
Nov 3, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Chad Johnson (31) makes a save in front of San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose the Calgary Flames defeated the San Jose Sharks 3 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Goalies
It was no secret that the Calgary Flames have struggled with goaltenders since Miikka Kiprusoff, basically. So finally when they acquired Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson, there was hope.
In the preseason, Elliott absolutely killed it while Johnson struggled a bit more than the Flames would have liked. It’s ok, he’s coming to a new team and it’s just preseason, it’ll be fine. And besides, there was Elliott to keep as the primary goaltender.
But then the season started and Elliott got burned by the Flames (ok no time for puns). After allowing 10 goals in the first two games, they decided to turn to Johnson for some help. Johnson had a pretty good start in the regular season, and not to discredit him in any way, but there was still some concerns for Elliott. How long would it take him to get back into it? Weeks? Months?
I mean, I don’t want to say “I told you so” BUT I did always say that Elliott isn’t a concern for me. It usually takes goaltenders a couple weeks to get back in it. Even Kelly Hrudey, one of the Flames commentators, would constantly say how Elliott shouldn’t be of concern for anyone. And he, along with Johnson, are no longer a concern.
In the last two weeks, Elliott has started five games for the Flames and has a 0.921 save percentage in that time frame. A lot more impressive than his first three games where he had a 0.828 sv%. In that time frame, it’s also a better stat than some other notable goalies. Marc-Andre Fleury, Ben Bishop, Braden Holtby, and his former teammate, Jake Allen.
Elliott had a pretty rough game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday evening, allowing four goals on 21 shots. So the Flames decided to go with Johnson on Thursday evening against the San Jose Sharks. And even though Johnson had a pretty good game against the Sharks, it looks like the Flames have decided to start Elliott in net against the LA Kings on Saturday night. Showing they have a lot more confidence in the new Flames net-minder.
Conclusion: Elliott moose is on the loose.
Mar 29, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Calgary Flames left winger Lance Bouma (17) celebrates with center Matt Stajan (18) after a win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Fourth Line
The fourth line for the Calgary Flames has been one of their most consistent lines as of late. Usually consisting of Matt Stajan, Lance Bouma, and some other hard hitting forward. Whether it’s Micheal Ferland, Alex Chiasson, or Freddie Hamilton if he’s in.
This line as been all around good two way forwards. Stajan and Bouma have the highest number of blocked shots as a forward duo, and Bouma, Ferland, and Chiasson are all in the top five for hits among forwards. Their points may not be showing up on the scoreboard, but they’re always present around the opponents net making some sort of impact and not letting the other team get good chances. Everybody who has played on this line has a +/- of over 0 (except Bouma with -1).
Like I said, they have been extremely consistent and while they may not be racking up loads of points, they definitely still have a factor in the Flames success. And why the Flames are tenth overall for least amount of shots allowed per game play.
Conclusion: It takes four(th line) to tango. This made no sense I’m sorry. Moving on.
Mar 11, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) celebrates his second period goal with right wing Michael Frolik (67) against the Arizona Coyotes at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Mikis and Froyo
I think I could talk about Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund (aka Michkael Frolund) for like three hours straight. These two, especially on the penalty kill, have been saving the Flames from being even worse than what they already are short handed. Froyo and Backs are both leading the team right now with two shorthanded points each (Backlund assisting on both of Frolik’s shg. Talk about friendship).
Backlund and Frolik each have five and four shorthanded shots, respectively. Which is each more than the next highest player with one shot. Backlund also leads for most faceoff wins while being shorthanded, with 22 sh fow. The next highest is Matt Stajan, with 8. Winning a faceoff while being short handed is extremely crucial. That could save you anywhere between 15-30 seconds, or evevn more.
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With the exception of defense, these two are also both leading for shorthanded TOI. So, safe to say that if one of them got injured, the Calgary Flames would suffer tremendously on the pk.
Not only are they leading on the pk, but Frolik currently leads the team with goals (five) and also leads with nine points, and Backlund is tied for second with seven points. Backs also leads the team in assists, with six of them. So again, safe to say this team would struggle without these two.
Actually, getting deeper into this. On all five of Frolik’s goals, Backlund has assisted on all of them. Meaning that also on his 6 assists in the year, five of them come on a Froyo goal. And on Backlund’s lone goal of the season, Frolik assisted on it.
Also just a note: Frolik is on a four game point streak right now.
Conclusion: These two make me cry from happiness.
Nov 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) defends Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) as goalie Brian Elliott (1) looks on during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
All the Technical Stuff
The Calgary Flames are just a littttttle bit under the 0.500 mark, but definitely not for lack of trying. They’re currently tied for sixth in shots for, with 346 and tied in fifth for goals for, with 34.
They’re currently in second for faceoff wins with 379 and have a faceoff win % of over 50%. Better than last year when they were in fourth for lowest FOW%.
At one point, this team was leading for blocked shots, but they’ve fallen just a little bit. Still in second place with 188 blocked shots (I’m still bitter about Kris Russell leaving). They may have a high number of giveaways, but they also have a good number of takeaways with 82 of them which ranks 6th overall in that category.
The Flames may not have that great of a goal differential with -7, but like we’ve seen, their goals for and shots for are pretty decent. They also have a shooting percentage of 9.8% which is 9th in the league. That’s a nice thing to watch as a fan, if your team on average is scoring on 10% of their shots. I mean, yeah not the best, but could be worse. Actually, since the 2012-2013 season, the Flames’ overall shooting% has been pretty respectable. Coming in second in the 2014-2015 season (when they made playoffs) and falling out of the top ten only once in that time frame. Actually since then, their shooting percentage is tied for tenth with 10.5%. So some things seem to be working here.
Now, I’m not sure what Brian Burke said to this team, but they’re also doing much better in their hits. Since the last almost decade (since 2008-2009), every season they’re in the bottom ten for hits. Right now, they’re ninth overall with 255 hits. Of course, we know people love seeing a nice clean strong hit. Fans always go wild for those.
Conclusion: Keep it up Flames.
Nov 3, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Micheal Ferland (79) and defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) and teammates celebrate after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Away Games
I don’t know what the Calgary Flames did, but they’re for some reason good on the road this season. Now, this isn’t me discrediting the team, it’s just a nice surprise after their slightly terrible away game win% last season.
I’ve mentioned this before in previous articles, but man was this team not good on the road for some odd reason. And it’s not just that they weren’t good, it’s just that compared to their home win%, it was even worse.
Last season, the Flames were third in home%-away% with 0.188. The league average was 0.06. Meaning the Flames won a lot more home games than they did away games. They had a home win% of 0.550 and an away win% of 0.363. Not only did the team in its entirety struggle, but the first line struggled tremendously on the road as well.
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So let’s look at the difference this season.
Right now, they’re actually completely opposite than last season. They’re third lowest for home%-away% with -0.167. Meaning they’re winning more away games than home games. They’re tied for seventh for away win% at 0.500. Alright, pretty solid. But uh oh. That means they’re not performing in front of the C of Red.
They’re tied for second worst home win% in the league with an embarrassing 0.333 win%. Nobody really knows the factor for this, but let’s just hope that this tough November schedule with 11 away games gives them those extra wins they need and gives them that extra momentum to continue on in December at home in front of their fans.
Conclusion: Road trips are fun.
So there you have it folks. “Folks” what am I, 50? (No shame if you’re 50 years old). But anyways, there you have it. Five key elements that are working for the Flames and they definitely have a lot to still work on, but as long as they keep these up, everything else will fall into place.
And they’ll get back to being the Flames that we all know and love
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