The Other Teams

[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.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by 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.

I hear you. I believe it is everybody pulling on the rope. Committed to a 200 foot game, with and without the puck.

[djsFlames]

Team efforts. Balance. Maybe not the best top end forwards, but can score by committee, at the same time not the tightest defense, but generally keep out goals more than not. And goaltending averaging above .900 SV%

Again, balance.

But I'd much rather we focus on actually Becoming a Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh of the league, and quit all this focusing on just "getting in".

[MrMastodonFarm]

Winnipeg is still fighting for the play off birth. They're in 3rd because of division standings.

[DeluxeMoustache]

The Flames D is ridiculous and Iggy's presence or absence does not change that.

Sv% blah blah yadda, what other team has a throw in to the slot like Brodie tonight every darn game.

[Pointman]

I have seen grand total 0 Wild games this season, but this one sticked out to me: their top 5 scorers combine for +34, ours for -36.

Wild leading scorers:

1 Mikko Koivu MIN C 33 9 22 31 +7
2 Zach Parise MIN L 33 14 14 28 +10
3 Ryan Suter MIN D 33 3 24 27 +1
4 Matt Cullen MIN C 33 6 18 24 +7
5 Devin Setoguchi MIN R 33 12 10 22 +9

to be fair, they have Dany "-11" Heatley at #6, but all their top 5 and most of top 10 are plus players. Now look at the Flames


1 Mike Cammalleri CGY C 30 11 14 25 -12
2 Alex Tanguay CGY L 33 9 16 25 -12
3 Lee Stempniak CGY R 33 7 16 23 +3
4 Curtis Glencross CGY L 31 14 8 22 -8
5 Jarome Iginla CGY R 31 9 13 22 -7

If you drop Iginla, Hudler is at #6 with the same -7.

[AlexBurrows_4Hart]

The teams you mentioned all have a good defensive system, and 3 lines of depth that can put the puck in the net.

Minnesota is where they deserve to be.

Montreal is a treasure trove of elite young talent, with a phenomenal superstar goalie.

Vancouver is declining. The Sedin's are back to being 70 point players. Kesler is injured. Some guys are stepping up, like Hansen and Higgins, but you can't rely on them. They aren't a real playoff threat. They are almost guaranteed to be a first round bounce.

Sorry, but Calgary just doesn't have the goods. The best we could hope for is running a 1-2-2, collapsing style game ala Nashville. But that ship has sailed. We're rebuilding now.