What stands out about the Flames’ defensive play

One of the teams fighting for a playoff spot has been doing some little things right in order to stay in the hunt.

The Calgary Flames might’ve lost their last two games, falling to the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals – the top two teams in the NHL. However, it hasn’t taken away from how strong the teams have played over the past month in order to stay in the Western Conference Wild Card picture.

Prior to the consecutive defeats, the Flames had won six of their previous eight games, including a win over the Jets and Los Angeles Kings, two squads that are destined for the playoffs. What was working for Calgary was how they were able to limit the opposition from generating quality scoring chances.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Flames sit fifth in the Pacific Division, one point back of the Vancouver Canucks for the last Wild Card spot in the West.

On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Jon Goyens joined Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk for the Coaches Room segment to highlight what the Flames have been doing right defensively.

Joy Goyens: Really they found a way to defend the slot in a multitude of ways. They’re defending the slot off the rush. The breakdown I did exactly three months to the day…I talked about how they were too easy off the rush. They are near the top of the league in odd-man rushes against, not given up. They’ve reduced the time in their zone. They’re defending overall entries near the top of the league. They’re giving up, near the top of the league, the least amount of goals off the rush, and total goals from the slot.

How are they doing that? Most of it comes in transition…That’s where 5-on-5 play is disconnected. That neutral zone should connect how you play in your offensive zone a lot of times and also how you’re set up to defend.

You can watch the entire segment and full episode here…