Flame for Thought
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Calgary Flames: Five Things That Are Not Working

By Ramina Shlah

Nov 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) defends Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) as goalie Brian Elliott (1) looks on during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) defends Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) as goalie Brian Elliott (1) looks on during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 6, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 6, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Penalty Kill

The penalty kill, along with the power play, has also been quite horrible this season. The Calgary Flames are second last in that category with 72.4%. Comparing to last season, the Flames were last in that category and even then they were still 75.5%. Again, something needs to change.

Related Story: Special Team Woes Continue at Home

The Calgary Flames are tied with allowing the most goals in the league with 50. 16 of those come on the penalty kill. That’s about a third of their goals they’ve allowed total that comes when shorthanded. Like I keep saying, something needs to change.

Now, I mention this about five times a week, but I hate goalie shaming. I hate when blame is put on a goaltender. However, it doesn’t help that the Flames right now aren’t getting too much help from their back end. In the last two games, Chad Johnson and Brian Elliott had 0.810 and 0.872 save percentage, respectively.

Actually, since the start of November, Elliott and Johnson don’t even rank in the top 40 for sv%. Also since the start of November, the Flames have allowed the fifth highest number of pp goals against with five of them so far. Five ppga in four games is definitely not ideal and not the way to win games. And that’s a good reason why they’ve only won one since the month started.

Conclusion: Do better on the PK. Also goalies do better so I don’t have to goalie shame.

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