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Calgary Flames’ First Month of 2017 – Recap and Review

By Ramina Shlah

Jan 17, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Lance Bouma (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Lance Bouma (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) celebrates scoring against the Calgary Flames in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) celebrates scoring against the Calgary Flames in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

The Calgary Flames start to their season had quite horrible special team numbers. However, at around mid-late November, they pulled their stuff together and had one of the most dangerous special teams in the league by December. From the start of December, they were 29th overall on the powerplay and by the end of the year, they were 13th overall. Even the beginning of January was great for them, and by the end of the first week of January, they were 10th overall on the PP in the league.

Since the start of December until the end of the year, even into that first week in January, they were first overall on the PP with an explosive and impressive 35.0%. The second highest was 27.8%.

However since after that first week of January until now, they’re 16th overall in the league with 18.2%. An ideal number for this team right now, especially with slightly falling out of a playoff position, would be 25.0%. But right now, they’re slightly struggling on the PP. In their last three games, they’ve only scored one PPG.

Related Story: How the Standings Would Look if Special Teams Were Better

On the other end of this spectrum, the Flames also got their penalty-killing slightly in check. They were last or second last in the league for over a month. By the end of the year, they managed to get to 17th in the league with 81.2% PK. So not exactly great, but at least they were improving. In fact, just in the month of December, they were third overall in the league on the PK with 88.5%.

In January, they have struggled slightly as well with the PK. They’re 15th overall in the league in January with 80.0%. On the season right now, they’re 17th overall with 80.9%. So they have some work to do in the next couple months.

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