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bubbsy · 11-03-2016, 07:26 AM

as long as the pacific continues to be crap, flames have a chance if they can get on a run at some point.

Issue is, one would expect teams like the sharks, ducks to get their ish together and start to pull away. The oilers should fall back to earth, but i think that's still a competitive team that's going to be taking up a playofff spot when all is said and done.

Team sits in 12th in GF/G, which is good, considering the lack of perceived production from the top guys.... this one caught me a bit off guard, as my perception has been that the team is struggling to score.

Team sits 25th in the league in GA/G. This one is obvious. Out of the gate this team was giving up a touchdown in actual goals, if not just prime time scoring chances. That has improved quite dramatically in my opinion, but then they go out and give up 5 (albeit 1 was an EN) in Chicago after being tied 1-1 going into the 3rd.

Special teams is the killer for this team in my opinion. PP% sits at 28th in the league (9.8%), and PK also at 28th (72%). If this team cannot get to a point immediately where they are even, if not winning, the special teams battle each game, no chance this team is going to the playoffs.

I am not going to harp on the coaches for the shady goaltending and defensive brainfarts early in the season, the lines/pairings (they know more about this than a fan like me i would hope) , the crappy starts by our best players (#13, #23, #7, #5) , heck, i won't even harp on them for the weak PP, given that if those 4 players struggling make up a large part of the PP. However, the PK, when to pressure, how to pressure, body positioning, stick placement in lanes, etc, is ALL on coaching. There's nothing about high skill, or creativity required to be successful there.

11-03-2016, 07:26 AM	#10
bubbsy Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Exp:	as long as the pacific continues to be crap, flames have a chance if they can get on a run at some point. Issue is, one would expect teams like the sharks, ducks to get their ish together and start to pull away. The oilers should fall back to earth, but i think that's still a competitive team that's going to be taking up a playofff spot when all is said and done. Team sits in 12th in GF/G, which is good, considering the lack of perceived production from the top guys.... this one caught me a bit off guard, as my perception has been that the team is struggling to score. Team sits 25th in the league in GA/G. This one is obvious. Out of the gate this team was giving up a touchdown in actual goals, if not just prime time scoring chances. That has improved quite dramatically in my opinion, but then they go out and give up 5 (albeit 1 was an EN) in Chicago after being tied 1-1 going into the 3rd. Special teams is the killer for this team in my opinion. PP% sits at 28th in the league (9.8%), and PK also at 28th (72%). If this team cannot get to a point immediately where they are even, if not winning, the special teams battle each game, no chance this team is going to the playoffs. I am not going to harp on the coaches for the shady goaltending and defensive brainfarts early in the season, the lines/pairings (they know more about this than a fan like me i would hope) , the crappy starts by our best players (#13, #23, #7, #5) , heck, i won't even harp on them for the weak PP, given that if those 4 players struggling make up a large part of the PP. However, the PK, when to pressure, how to pressure, body positioning, stick placement in lanes, etc, is ALL on coaching. There's nothing about high skill, or creativity required to be successful there.