Post-Covid hangover can take some of the blame for Flames downturn

The stats don’t lie (though from a small sample size)

The Flames are 2-4 since returning to the ice after being decimated by Covid. Sutter’s side have scored 18 goals for and allowed 25 in those six affairs. That’s an average of 3 goals per game and 4.2 against.

It is a small sample size but the numbers are pretty alarming. Mind you, the Flames were forced to play three of the best teams in their buildings. While a relatively small sample size, the numbers don’t lie and make for ugly reading.

Before the shutdown, the Flames, in 28 games, enjoyed a sterling record of 15-7-6. They managed 3.1 goals for and 2.2 goals against. The defensive stinginess pops the most. The Flames have allowed almost double the number of goals per game since their post-Covid return commenced on Dec. 30 at Seattle.

There were signs of a downturn just prior to the widespread outbreak. The Flames lost three of four before a rash of players, including Johnny Gaudreau, Jacob Markstrom, Rasmus Andersson, Erik Gudbranson, Byron Froese, Trevor Lewis, Tyler Pitlick, Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Milan Lucic, Andrew Mangiapane, Sean Monahan, Brad Richardson, Adam Ruzicka, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov, tested positive.

And while the current rot didn’t coincide precisely with the club’s return from the Covid shutdown, their overall performance level has certainly worsened since returning to the ice. And it would be slightly naive to assume Covid is completely faultless in the Flames’ recent malaise.