The Calgary Flames entered the 2015-16 season with a chip on their shoulder as they were out to prove that last season was no fluke and they're ready to take the next step.
It's still early but to this point they've accomplished neither of those things as they've gotten out to a 1-4-0 start and have left a lot to be desired.
Some thoughts:
- Most of every game is spent at 5 vs 5 so if you want to be good you need to have success during full strength play. That has not at all been the case for Calgary. Quite the opposite, actually.
They've scored just six goals at 5 vs 5 and have allowed 15. Only Columbus, who remain winless, have allowed more goals at full-strength. Columbus is also the only team with a worse goal differential at evens than Calgary (minus-9).
The Flames are struggling mightily in possession, too, as they generate just 46.7% of the shot attempts at evens, which ranks them 25th in that regard.
They can't accomplish much of anything at full strength right now and if things don't change quickly they could find themselves in too big of a hole to climb out of.
- It's not about to get easier for the Flames. On Tuesday they begin a six-game stretch against 2014-15 playoff teams - all six are currently above .500 - so there really isn't a soft spot over the next couple weeks.
The Flames get Washington and Detroit at home before taking on the Rangers, Islanders and Senators in their respective buildings. They close out this tough stretch at home against the Canadiens.
- What's sinking Calgary as much as anything right now is goaltending. Both Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo have struggled at times and that's evident as the Flames own a .886 save percentage during 5 vs 5 play. They won't struggle in that aspect forever but the Flames allow a lot of shots so they really need their goaltending to be better.
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