 RDOilerfan
Messages: 3780
Registered: January 2016
3 Cups
|
|
Yes the Flames have played well and are getting great goaltending but another HUGE advantage the Flames have had is they haven't had a single significant injury to anyone important.
Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Lindholm, Mangiapane, Andersson, Backlund, Monahan, Tanev, Lucic, Gudbranson, Lewis, have all played every game.
Coleman, Hannifin, Kylington have missed 1 game.
Markstrom has played 43 games for them. So he hasn't missed a start.
That's 5 out of 6 of their top 6 dmen who have played every game or missed 1 game. All their best forwards haven't missed a game or missed 1. Sutter has shuffled in and out their 6th dman and a few 4th liners and there is the odd 4th liner that got hurt but the guys who play all the mins and are counted on, haven't missed any time. Even when they got covid, they had a mass team wide breakout so they whole team shut down. They aren't even missing the odd game with a blocked shot.
Vs the Oilers.
When covid hit, it wasn't a mass breakout, it was a couple of guys missed time. Then a week later a few more, then a few more. Even after they had their major time, Koskinen missed time out of no where not long ago.
Injuries: Nuge got hurt 2 times and covid. JP got covid AND hurt. Hyman missed time with injury and covid. Nurse covid and hurt. Barrie out a few times. Ceci missed 4 games with covid. Kassian has been out a few times, lately a major injury. Keith got covid and hurt a few times. Russell has barely been able to play. Smith hurt a ton. Yamo missed a game due to a block shot. Even McD missed a game due to covid.
There are very few guys on the Oilers who will play a full season and multiple very important players will miss a TON of time.
This isn't excusing the major issue which is the goaltending but man the injury bug sure hasn't helped.
|
|
|
|
