NHL playoffs 2017: Calgary Flames preview

After a year absence from the NHL playoffs, the Calgary Flames return looking to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1989.

After missing out on the playoffs a season ago, the Calgary Flames were able to return to the postseason with first-year head coach Glen Gulutzan. The future of the Flames is going to burn brightly. Four of the Flames’ top five scorers are under 23 years old. However, this is likely not the year Calgary will be celebrating in June with a Stanley Cup parade. The Flames do not have the level of goaltending required to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

Why they can win

This season, the Flames had 12 different players score at least 12 goals. While the Flames do not have a 30-goal scorer on the roster, they are able to throw a lot of different options at opposing teams. There are very few teams in the NHL that have as many scoring threats as Calgary does.

Calgary has a rather good and deep blue line. The team acquired Michael Stone before the trade deadline and he has performed well since joining the Flames’ third pairing. Captain Mark Giordano remains one of the league’s better defenseman and 23-year-old Dougie Hamilton continues to get better.

Both are capable of playing against other team’s top offensive units. Although there may be some flaws to Dennis Wideman’s game, he is still a productive offensive defenseman. If the Flames are going to advance they are going to need Wideman to take advantage of running the point on the power play.

The Flames drafted and developed T.J. Brodie. In three previous seasons, Brodie was emerging as a young, promising defenseman. However, Brodie took a step back this year. If Brodie is able to raise his play the Flames will have three solid pairings that they can throw at opposing teams.

Why they can’t win

Calgary does not have a true No. 1 goalie it can ride to 16 wins in the playoffs. Brian Elliott is an average starter, who could never carry the St. Louis Blues past the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs. There is little reason to believe that Elliott will be able to carry the Flames into the second round this year.

The Flames roster has enough talent among the Flames skaters to make a run, but the team does not have a good enough goalie. Expect general manager Brad Treliving to make a run at one of the many goalies available this offseason. The Flames could target Ryan Miller or Ben Bishop as free agents on July 1.

The Calgary future in net might be Tyler Parsons. The Flames selected the London Knights goalie in the second round last year. Parsons helped the Knights win the Memorial Cup last season and posted a 92.5 save percentage this season.

X-factor

The Flames started Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson in net this season with similar results. Both goalies posted a .910 save percentage. However, the Flames will need a lot better than that if they are going to win a round in the playoffs.

Elliott will likely be the starter in game one of the playoffs. However, if he struggles do not be surprised if Gulutzan pulls him in place of Johnson. For the Flames to make it deep in the playoffs, Elliot or Johnson needs to improve their play. The Flames will need either goalie to produce at least a .925 save percentage in the postseason. The .15 may not sound like a lot, but it is the difference between allowing two goals and three goals on 30 shots.

Prediction

Unfortunately for Calgary fans, the Flames playoff run is going to be rather short. Johnny Gaudreau is one of the best young talents in the game and the forwards are dynamic as a whole, but the West is simply too tough. The Flames could find a way to advance a round as they did the last time they reached the postseason, but that’s the limit.