The Stretch Before Jan 1

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Not a bad point, but I'd also suggest that Lindholm, Hanifin, and Tanev will have a bigger impact than Ekholm, Granlund, and Niederreiter did for Nashville.

I think the Preds went 12-9-2 after the deadline. They finished 42-32-8 (92 points, .561 hockey), so they went into the deadline 30-23-6 (59 GP, .559 hockey).

So, Nashville was mildly worse after the trade deadline. They certainly didn't drop in the standings the way they likely hoped for.

I think hoping that Wolf can carry a team that is worse on paper is probably unrealistic expectations...but time will tell. Saros I imagine had a huge impact on Nashville maintaining their pre-deadline pace.

You're missing that Josi was hurt too. His impact far outweighs anyone we are going to trade.

Flames could sell and still play well. It would suck to miss out on a top 5 pick but if they play well with the kids getting more minutes, it's not a bad thing.

Selling now is important too, anything can happen for a month post deadline.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Lightning are okay but they aren't a scary good team anymore

actually they have 13 wins in 29 games, they kinda suck

They have been missing one of the elite goalies in the game for most of the season.

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The Flames have played 18 games to this date, and have 18 remaining before Jan 1.

And so far it's been a really mixed bag:

First 9 Games: 2-6-1

5v5 Stats: 31.4% GF, 50.9 xGF, 5.2% SH, .875 SV% (0-4 for Andersson's suspension)

Last 9 Games: 5-2-2

5v5 Stats: 57% GF, 52.8% xGF, 9.68% SH, .911 SV%

So a but unlucky over the first 9, and really seemed to struggle in the new system especially without Andersson. But playing better over the last 9, and getting a bit more puck luck too.

But these next 18 Games are going to really determine the Flames direction this season I think...and it's a bit of a Murders row of a schedule.

Next 9 Games: Preds, Stars, Avalanche (B2B), Knights, Stars, Canucks, Wild, Hurricanes, Devils

Final 9 Games Before Jan 1: Avalanche, Knights (B2B), Wild, Lightning, Panthers, Ducks, Kings, Kraken, Flyers,

Avs x 2, Knights x 2, Stars x 2, Canucks, Kings, Panthers, Lightning, Hurricanes, Devils, Flyers

Those 10 teams are a combined 109-54-14...and 13 of the next 18 games are against that group.

Seattle, Preds, Wild, and Ducks are only easier matchups in this final 18 game stretch before 2024.

If the Flames can somehow keep their head above water in this stretch, and get to Jan 1st around .500 or slightly above .500 then they probably are right in the playoff mix.

But this schedule over the next 6 weeks is going to be killer.

Just checking in on the results during the murderer's row stretch. Since November 22:

Record: 5-6-2
25th in the league with 12 points over that stretch - however, the league has been crazy tight and they are 4 points back of 5th in the league during that time. So, considering the circumstances (tough opponents, missing Tanev and Markstrom for part of it) they have done relatively well.

5v5 Stats: 48% GF, 51.9% xGF, 9.42% SH, .898 SV%
PP: 8.6% (31st)
PK: 75.7% (25th)

Goaltending has been a big point of discussion around here. Whether it is on the goalies to simply play better or the team to defend better, this team isn't going anywhere without getting that save percentage back up to that ~.910 range when they were 5-2-2.

Also, the assistant coaches need to get both the powerplay and penalty kill units to an entirely different level. I'm obviously a big Savard fan, but his first season in this role has been a massive letdown and he's going to have to find a way to turn things around if he's going to stay in the NHL.