‘That’s fine with us’: Low-scoring Calgary Flames chasing playoff history

CALGARY — In their pursuit of a playoff spot, the Calgary Flames could also be chasing some hockey history.

Only once in the salary-cap era (which began in 2005) has the league’s lowest-scoring team managed to make the playoffs.

Currently sitting dead last with 167 goals scored (2.56 per game), the Flames are hoping to do what only the 2009-10 Boston Bruins have done.

“I had no idea,” said Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar, when told just how rare it is to remain competitive despite limited scoring. 

“That’s OK, we’ll be the No. 2, I guess. 

“That’s fine with us. We’d love to score more goals, but we have an identity and that’s not a high-scoring game, it’s kind of locking it down and playing defence and trying to capitalize on their turnovers or the power play. Our goaltenders have been playing great.”

Much like the Flames’ success playing in front of Calder Trophy revelation Dustin Wolf, world-class goaltending was key to the Bruins’ success in 2009-10 when Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask split starts. Thomas was the league’s Vezina Trophy winner one year earlier and one year later (Rask won it in 2014).

Former Flame Andrew Ference was a defenceman on that Bruins team, and said that despite the fact his team’s scoring leaders — Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci — had just 52 points, he had no idea they finished last in goals for.

“I can’t remember too much of a narrative that we couldn’t score, but if I found myself on the power play, that was probably a sign of where we were at,” said a chuckling Ference, who now works for the league.  

“We didn’t have an All-Star defence, but it was solid. We also had a coach (Claude Julien) who held everybody responsible defensively. There was a culture there where playing defence was non-negotiable.

“It wasn’t just the coach, it was player-to-player, holding each other accountable. There’s a lot of pride that goes into being that kind of team.”

“We’ve got depth where we can play a hard, fast game, defend and check and not run out of gas because we’ve got a lot of guys who are willing to play that way,” said current Flame Blake Coleman of his team’s commitment to playing on the right side of the puck.

“To the guys’ credit, you have to buy into that.

“The reason we are where we are is goaltending, but everyone is committed to doing what it takes to win. And if that means taking a hit to your stat line, then so be it.”

When told of the history his club was chasing, Flames forward Nazem Kadri asked where his team stood in goal scoring.

“We are?” said Kadri, who has combined with Jonathan Huberdeau to be the team’s two most reliable finishers, each on pace for 60 points. 

“Hey, (tying the record) is certainly a possibility. Offence is something we’ve always been looking to work on. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Having our power play step up a little bit has given us opportunities to win games.

“We’re scoring timely goals and that’s really what it’s all about. Timely goals, timely saves. In the playoffs, having a deep run, those are two things you need. So it’s not necessarily the quantity, it’s more so the quality.”

Those Bruins went on to lose in the second round in 2011, but one year later ended a 39-year drought to win the Stanley Cup. Thomas was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

The only team in this era to make the playoffs when finishing second-last in scoring was Darryl Sutter’s 2011-12 Kings, who went on to win the Cup that year.

After all, the team Calgary is tied with for the West’s last wild-card berth, Vancouver, has just 10 more goals than the Flames.   

“It’s ridiculous how important a good goalie is,” said Ference, well aware Jonathan Quick was the backbone of that Kings team, posting a 1.95 GAA that season.

“It’s definitely an anomaly to be successful without scoring, but the eternal optimist would tell you that the best way to prepare yourself for the playoffs is by playing lots of those tight, one-goal games.

“You get comfortable in those uncomfortable games.”

That’s certainly been the case for the Flames, who have the fifth-best record in the league in one-goal games, going 13-2-11.

In a league-high 54 of their 64 games, the Flames have scored three goals or fewer, going 20-23-11, which is the second-best record in that category. 

“For guys who are high-octane offensive guys, it can be frustrating to not produce, but the guys have bought in because we’re winning,” said Coleman.

“When you’re finding ways to win, you put your ego aside and do what’s best for the team.”

Weegar said that sacrifice says a lot about the character of a team written off by many last fall.

“We don’t care for points, we care to win,” he said. “That’s the most important thing.”

Coach Ryan Huska isn’t discounting the possibility his team could score enough in the final 18 games to surpass San Jose, Nashville and Anaheim in scoring.

“But if we’re the second team to be able to (finish last in scoring) and get into the playoffs, that’s perfect for me,” he said.