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Calgary Flames Can Iron Out Goal Troubles By Turning Posts Into Points

The Calgary Flames have hit a lot of posts and crossbars this season, which could be key to boosting their offence into the NHL’s elite.

Published

1 year ago

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Hockey is a game of inches. Especially for teams like the Calgary Flames. 

Looking for a reason the offensive numbers aren't as high as they could or probably should be for a team that frequently outshoots competition and carries the possession time? The posts and crossbars that fans have noticed almost nightly during Flames games are piling up. 

And, yes, it's something the NHL tracks. 

Through the 2022 portion of this season, the Calgary Flames are among the league leaders in clanking pucks off the iron — both crossbars and posts. The team has hit 40 posts and bars so far. Only the New York Rangers (44), Washington Capitals (42) and Florida Panthers (41) have more. 

Any guesses as to who leads the team? Yep, Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli is one of the team's best offensive performers this season with 15 goals and 30 points through the first 38 games ahead of Tuesday's game against the Jets in Winnipeg. 

With the Flames seeking more consistent offence, those posts and crossbars bouncing into the net rather than away from it would lead to more than a goal per game increase — which would put them right at the top of the league in that category. Even connecting on 50 per cent of those opportunities would rank them in the top five or six in the NHL. 

They're that close to breaking out offensively. Combine that with the fact their defence has been increasingly solid as the season has progressed, with an especially strong December, the team is a real sleeper for making something happen. 

Pay attention to that second-place Calgary Flames player, too. Andrew Mangiapane is due for a breakout. 

Hot post: Calgary Flames ringing in the new year

8 — Tyler Toffoli
5 — Andrew Mangiapane
4 — Elias Lindholm
3 — Nazem Kadri, Dillon Dube, Mikael Backlund, Adam Ruzicka, Chris Tanev
2 — Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin
1 — Jonathan Huberdeau, Milan Lucic, Nikita Zadorov, Connor Mackey

Toffoli's eight is fourth in the NHL behind Alex Ovechkin (10), Vincent Trocheck (10) and Connor McDavid (9).

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