Flames miss playoffs due to inconsistency, lack of offense

The Calgary Flames were eliminated from contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Montreal Canadiens got one point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

The Flames (23-26-3) are tied with the Ottawa Senators for fifth in the seven-team Scotia North Division and could finish fifth, sixth or seventh. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Canadiens have clinched the four playoff berths in the division.
Calgary missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. It had made the playoffs in four of the previous six seasons.
Here is a look at what happened in 2020-21 for the Flames and why things could be better in 2021-22.

The skinny

Potential unrestricted free agents: Derek Ryan, F; Josh Leivo, F; Buddy Robinson, F; Brett Ritchie, F; Joakim Nordstrom, F; Zac Rinaldo, F; Michael Stone, D; Nikita Nesterov, D; Louis Domingue, G.
Potential restricted free agents: Dillon Dube, F; Glenn Gawdin, F; Dominik Simon, F, Juuso Valimaki, D; Oliver Kylington;
Connor Mackey
, D, Artyom Zagidulin, G.
Potential 2021 Draft picks: 7

What went wrong

Inconsistency: The Flames has had trouble sustaining momentum all season and never once reached three games above .500, either before or after Geoff Ward was fired as coach and replaced by Darryl Sutter on March 4. Ward was 11-11-2 and Sutter is 12-15-1. Calgary's longest winning streak this season is three games, once under Ward (Feb. 6-11) and twice under Sutter (March 11-15 and April 10-14).
Struggling offense: Calgary is 25th in the NHL, averaging 2.63 goals per game, down from 2.91 per game last season, when the Flames were 20th in the League. Several of Calgary's top forwards have seen a decline in production this season. Johnny Gaudreau, who has scored 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 52 games, is averaging .81 points per game this season, down from .83 per game last season and well off his 99-point season (1.21 points per game) in 2018-19. Sean Monahan, who has scored 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 50 games, is averaging .56 points per game, down from .69 last season. And Matthew Tkachuk, who has scored 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games (.71 points per game) has declined from .88 points last season, when he led the team with 61 points in 69 games.
Inability to come back: Whether it's a confidence issue, lack of offense or some combination thereof, the Flames have often found themselves behind in games and unable to come back. They are 5-21-1 when their opponent scores first. When trailing after two periods, the Flames are 1-21-1.

Reasons for optimism

Solid core additions: Two players Calgary signed in free agency last offseason have each made a significant contribution and each should be a fixture moving forward. Goalie Jacob Markstrom is 19-19-2 with a 2.66 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and three shutouts in 40 starts, and defenseman Chris Tanev has scored 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 52 games with 21:47 of average time on ice per game, second on Calgary behind defenseman Mark Giordano (22:46).
Sutter's structure: Since Sutter was hired, the Flames' identity has become clearer. They are a dogged, tight-checking team that emphasizes defense. That structure should put Calgary in a better position for the start of next season. Neither Sutter nor the Flames will require a breaking-in period to get used to each other.
Maintained draft assets: Though they have made moves in past seasons, the Flames have been able to hold on to their future. Calgary has seven picks in the 2021 NHL Draft, each of its own except for a fourth-round pick, but has added a third-round pick from the Oilers. And in the 2022 draft, the Flames have eight picks, including a second-round selection from the Florida Panthers and a third-rounder from the Maple Leafs.