Quote:
Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache
It’s hard to score always for the Flames
Here is a complete list of teams with worse shooting percentage than the Flanes:
Columbus
Anaheim
That is all
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Last season, the Flames were 2nd in the league for first period goals for (Panthers were 1st). I can't find the data for this season, but it feels like we have to be up there, but on the opposite side of the table in 1st period goals against.
If you score early, it takes the pressure off a little. You can make easier low-risk plays, force the other team to open up, and capitalize on their mistakes. It's what the Flames did all season last year when Markstrom was in Vezina form. This year, they are in completely the opposite situation where they are playing more minutes from behind where the other team can focus more in defending.
I think goaltending can have a pretty big influence on how much offense a team produces. If a team has to play from behind because the goalie gives up an early goal, it's like running against the wind. Or if they are too paranoid to take chances because they don't have faith in the goalie to come up big, they are also going to take fewer chances.