[SuperMatt18]

I don’t think this is that hard to break apart why the Flames are struggling in the playoffs.

1) The coaching staff for back to back playoffs hasn’t figured out a game plan / break out / lines to slow down a fast, heavy team that can forecheck. Sure the head coach may be technically different but overall it’s the same staff. Gaudreau and Monahan (And 3/4 forward lines) have not worked in the playoffs - Try something different .

Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm : Best 200 ft line
Lucic - Bennett - Gaudreau : Size and speed to open up room for 13
Dube - Monahan - Reider : Speed and tenacity on 23’s wing
Mangiapane - Ryan - Janko: Mangiapane and Ryan have great chemistry

Doesn’t that lineup seem much more balanced that what we’ve seen?

2) Our top 4 forwards haven’t been able to score at 5v5

At 5v5 during the regular season Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk average:

3.5 Goals/60
30.2 Shots/60
14.2 HDCF/60
11.6% Shooting Percentage

In the playoffs those same players have averaged

1.05 Goals/60
24.8 Shots/60
9.1 HDCF/60
4.2% Shooting Percentage

Scoring has just dried up from those 4 come playoff time. Part of it is a low shooting percentage but they haven’t been able to generate as many chances or gotten to high danger areas.

3) And to my earlier point in this thread, the team isn’t fast enough or big/gritty enough so they get overwhelmed physically. Come playoff time you just need some guys that’s physical skill set is overwhelming, and outside of Lucic, Dube, Bennett we just don’t have that.

Once we get to this offseason the priorities should be 1) Hire an Elite coach, 2) Shake up the top 4 forwards, 3) Add more speedy grit to our bottom 6