Flames v. Wings - Even-strength Goals
Detroit has been one of the best teams in the NHL when it comes to outscoring their opponents when skating at even-strength. This was also the case in the four games against the Flames this season.
Even-strength Goals in head-to-head competition
Detroit: 9 goals (2.25/game)
Calgary: 6 goals (1.5/game)
In Calgary, each team scored one even-strength goal over both games for a 0.5 goal per game average at even-strength. In Detroit scoring has been more plentiful, with Detroit scoring 8 goals and the Flames scoring 5 goals over the two games at JLA. It generally goes without saying that staying out of the penalty box is a key to being successful in the playoffs. But in Detroit’s case it is clearly in their best interest to play even-strength hockey as their Specialty Teams just haven’t fared well against Calgary.
Calgary Flames NHL Playoffs Red Wings1 Comment(s)
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
[…] 10. Calgary - 113 goals 19. Detroit - 108 goals Dion Phaneuf attempts to turn Todd Harvey into a Fathead So on the surface this looks like a series where each game will likely favor the home team. Detroit has been the better team when playing against the Flames at even-strength, outscoring the Flames 2.25 goals per game to 1.5 goals per game in head-to-head competition. But Detroit doesn’t have any real advantage at home when it comes to special teams play, as both teams have a 16.7% success rate at JLA this season. The visor is Jarome Iginla’s woobie Calgary, on the other hand, has been dominant at home with the man advantage. Detroit performs as well in Calgary with the man advantage as they do in Detroit, and by “well” I of course mean “mind-numbingly poorly”. The Flames on the other hand have hit at a 50% ratio at the Pengrowth Saddledome against the Red Wings. So if the Wings take a penalty, odds are pretty good Calgary will capitalize by scoring a goal. Franzen works on his Vulcan death grip One other interesting dynamic is that the Flames have become more dangerous offensively and the Wings have become more physical since their last meeting in the playoffs. Detroit ranks #2 in goals against average while the Flames have rank #11. I looked at how both teams have done over the past month or so against top 10 offenses and Detroit’s defensive play looks good while Calgary’s tends to suffer. […]