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Calgary Flames

What’s Wrong With The Calgary Flames? Part 2

The second installment of What's Wrong With The Flames, where I take a look at the offensive, defensive, and goaltending that may put things in perspective.

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With a record of 4-9-1 and 9 points, the Calgary Flames are bottom of the barrel except for the Anaheim Ducks (8 points), Columbus Blue Jackets (8 points), and the Toronto Maple Leafs (6 points). This is the polar opposite of the team I watched make a cup run last year.

So, here's another instalment of What's Wrong With The Flames: Offensive perspective

Based on the basic stats, the offensive side of the Calgary Flames isn't a lot different than they were during playoffs last season. With one of two players numbers being higher and a couple of players numbers being lower, it seems to even itself out. So what's the issue?

Sean Monahan

Based on his 3 points and 8 shots on net in the last five games, it seems that Monahan has fallen behind in the shots on goal stats. Compared to his 24 shots on net during 11 playoff games last season, something seems to hinder his chances. His play creation doesn't seem to be as good as it was last year, possibly due to a mixture of line mates recently. My suggestion would be to get into more plays and dig deep for the puck and eventually those shots on net numbers will go up.

Josh Jooris

In 9 playoff games last season, Jooris had 8 shots on net and 0 points. Yes, you read that right, ZERO points. Which makes this a breakout year for him so far. In just the last five games, Jooris has notched 2 goals and 1 assist among 11 shots on net. He's one of those players who gives it everything he's got during each game. I see a bright future for him in the NHL.

Joe Colborne

As a continuation of last night's game recap, here are some stats on Colborne. During his playoff run last year, he had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 7 shots on net in 11 games. In his last five games this year, he's earned 1 goal and 1 assist with 6 shots on net. Like I said last night, I don't believe he's doing a terrible job on the ice. He's making good decisions for himself in spite of what plays out and his basic stats prove that he's improving.

David Jones

Where did Jones go?? In the last five games, Jones has no goals, no assists, no points, yet he's got 13 shots on net. Why is he not burying the puck? Last season during the Flames playoff run, he earned 2 goals and 3 assists (5 points) and 22 shots on net. I'd be happy if he made 5 shots on net and just one or two would go in. The more shots on net, the more likely there will be a goal though, so I'm hoping he can start to finish those plays soon because now is the time.

Matt Stajan

During playoffs last year, the fans deemed him "Ragin' Stajan" and it fit because he had 4 points (1 goal and 3 assists) in 11 games as well as 11 shots on goal. This season, in the last 5 games, he's not so Ragin'. In the last five games, he's garnered a mere assist and 4 shots on net. He's practically invisible on the ice and I was hoping for much more from him this season as he is now a seasoned vet on the team.

So, what’s the real issue behind the less-than-stellar season the Flames are having so far? Is it the blue line? The offence? Or is it the goaltending? The defence could use some work, but it really helps now that T.J. Brodie is back in the line-up. The offence needs to start burying the puck on some of those chances at the net. That would probably help out a lot. But, in my opinion, it’s the goaltending that’s giving the Calgary Flames the most trouble, and I’ll take a closer look at the goalies in my next installment of What’s Wrong With The Flames? coming soon.

by Traci Kay