The 32-14-7 Calgary Flames stand to face one of their greatest challenges of the 2021-22 season tonight in Denver. That being the Western Conference leading Colorado Avalanche.
Have you watched the movie
Fury?
Brad Pitt, Shea LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Micheal Peña, and Jon Bernthal play a tank crew in WWII that make a last stand on a German crossroads. Them and their M4 Sherman tank being the only thing standing between a German platoon breaking through the Allied front and dealing a major blow to the war effort. Fantastic movie.
One scene in particular comes to mind when thinking of tonight’s match. The ambush of the American tank column by the near mythical, behemoth 131 German Tiger Tank. The realization of impending doom as this behemoth tank emerges from the cover provided by an artificial smoke canister projectile is such a powerful moment in the film.
The Avalanche have a 40-11-4 record on the season, 23-3-2 record at home, and a .764 winning percentage.
They have won six of their last eight and only lost a one-goal game once this season.
Five of their players are producing at over a point per game and Devon Teows is close with 43 in 44. They have seven players on pace to finish with over 60 points— including two defensemen.
Their starter, Darcy Kuemper, is 18-1-2 since the beginning of December.
There is no better team right now. Best goal differential (+64). Second best offence (3.93GF/GP). Best offensive defenseman in the NHL (Cale Makar 18 goals 41 assists in 51 games). Players ranking 5th, 8th, 15th, 23rd, and 32nd in scoring in a 32 team league.
The Colorado Avalanche are very much the 131 German Tiger Tank of the NHL.
The Calgary Flames better have their big boy pants on tonight.
While the challenge seems daunting— almost impossible with Kuemper in net, the 131 German Tiger Tank metaphor carries with it another dimension.
If shot in the back side, a round stands a much better chance at penetrating the engine or the insides of the rolling death machine. Brad Pitt’s crew forced the Tiger crew’s hand by performing a duel flank half circle with another American Sherman tank. One going left, one going right.
While you can’t just flank and shoot the Colorado Avalanche in the back, the 32nd place Phoenix Coyotes have found a weakness— twice.
Dramatized re-enactment of the Arizona Coyotes’ 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.
So, what is the Avalanche’s vulnerable backside you ask?
The very style of hockey the Flames have identified themselves with in the 21-22 campaign.
Tight checking, zero separation from the checker, suffocating Sutter-style hockey. Add a dash— no a gallon of chippy, physical play to keep the offence off their game and bake until golden brown.
Tonight will be a very interesting test for the Flames. If they can buck the habits that resurfaced against the Canadiens and play the way they have established their new reputation on; look out. We’re in line for one hell of a hockey game.
No word on changes to the lineup, so expect more of the same. Update at warmups.
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Lucic-Monahan-Toffoli
Lewis-Richardson-Ritchie
Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Tanev
Zadorov-Gudbranson
Markstrom
Beauty mark
Another issue— perhaps the only other issue that the Avalanche have dealt with this season is faceoffs. While this factor is still minimal given no team ever goes below 40% on the season after ten or so games played, it’s still something of concern for the Denver based team.
They sit dead last in that category. 46.5%. Calgary ranks 10th with a 51.1% combined faceoff percentage.
Nate MacKinnon is a big reason. In nine seasons he has only finished above 50% once. This season he’s at 45.14%. Nazem Kadri isn’t far off of that. 49.2%. Realizing the issue, Landeskog steps in for faceoffs. He’s 54% over 430 draws.
Compher (3rd line) 50.13%.
Jost (4th line) 38.99%.
If the game turns into a tight-checking Balboa-style ground war; face-offs may be the difference between where the Flames find themselves in the standings tomorrow morning.
Another blemish
The Avalanche have had some issues in their own end. A tendency to make a sloppy breakout pass or lack the urgency both with and without the puck to get the play started. This was highlighted against the Golden Knights last year as one of the key reasons Vegas took the series.
If the Flames can keep an aggressive forecheck going; the goals will come. This will be a big game for Flames players that thrive on turnovers. Mangiapane, Coleman, Gaudreau.
Enough reading. Enjoy your Saturday!
Trevor Neufeld
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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