[Rifleman]

I was looking at the NHL standings tonight, and there are some questions I have.

A couple of teams stand out. Montreal, Winnipeg, Minnesota.

These teams don't have a lot of leading goal scorers, but are finding ways to get it done. Though they aren't running away with it like the elite teams, they are still near the top of the standings.

Montreal has Michael Ryder sitting at #43 in goal scoring, but besides that, they have Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec sitting at #49 and #54.

Winnipeg has Andrew Ladd at #20, Blake Wheeler at #37 and Evander Kane at #53.

Minnesota has Mikko Koivu at #28, Parise at #36, and Suter at #46.

Heck, even Vancouver is getting into the playoffs with their leading scorer only sitting at #29 in the scoring race.

Subsequently, the Flames players occupy #56, #58, and #79 on that list, and that's not including Iginla at #85.

I don't think goal scoring is a problem, but it seems the Flames can't get it right from one year to the next. Either they try to play as a defensive team and then the goal scoring dries up, or they play with more offense like they do this year and let in goals like a sieve.

These teams that are getting by and into the playoffs without elite goal scoring talent, how are they doing it? Is their goaltender standing on their head? Are their players just better at scoring timely goals? Is it a coaching or player confidence issue?

People complain about not having any elite forwards except for Iginla, but it seems these teams are making due without. They might not kick a$$ in the playoffs, but at least they are in.