Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
Yeah was thinking about this the over the weekend.
This will be the Flames 49th game this year. Has there been even one game where the Flames were missing more regulars than the other team? That can't all be luck.
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The whole team having Covid basically at once helped this team out immensely. Of course, becuase no one got really sick, but secondarily, it meant no games that they had to play with 6 guys out, then others out in the succeeding days, meanwhile the guys not sick and playing had to put in more ice time and get worn down or injured because of the heavier work load. Practices as well were basically everyone off and then everyone back, which if course keeps everyone on same page as well.
Then they could all come back at once, well rested and again all at the same stage of recovery and able to practice all together.
And, the timing of the breaks. With Covid and cancelled games around the holidays and after 2 months of playing, a good quarter pole break and more relaxed, at home for holidays, and able to rest the body as opposed to a very heavy holiday schedule.
Then come back for a month and another long weekend break for rest.
The next month or so will be crucial, with all the makeup games and tight schedule starting to accumulate wear on the bodies. That's where the depth at the back (Stone,Valimaki,Mackey) and up front ((Richardson, Ritichie, farm guys) will have to play their role. It's also the only quiver that BT should have left for trades, if he needs to get more depth for potential or realized injuries.