On Monday’s edition of "Daily Faceoff Live," president Frank Seravalli and former NHL goalie, now analyst Mike McKenna discuss the Calgary Flames’ goaltending woes and how they can bounce back into a playoff position.
Frank Seravalli: it’s been pretty high in Calgary this year Mike, and their goaltending has received criticism. The team currently sits outside of the playoff picture. Can Jacob Markstrom finally get going or would you turn over the reigns to Dan Vladar, who speaking of Daryl Sutter seems super hesitant to do so?
Mike McKenna: Which is weird. Here’s the thing, Markstrom has been consistent this year he’s been about a .895 and.896, I won’t say bad, I think that’s a bit off on Markstrom but what I’ll say is he’s had bad goals against. If you want to look at someone consistently bad, take a look at Elvis Merzlikins over in Columbus. Those one goal a game is what is crushing him, Frank. Markstrom, is 2-4-1 since Christmas and he really hasn’t been able to put together an extended period of great games and his win/loss record reflects that. You look at the goals saved above expected for these two and Markstrom is well ahead of where Vladar sits. Markstrom is 34th league-wide, and Vladar sits 68th and that’s a season-long metric. But recently, Vladar is 4-0-1 and .914 lately. So that says to me Frank, that Vladar is really coming into his own and starting to win the race. I don’t know if Sutter is going to let it be a race, but right now Vladar is the goaltender in Calgary that’s performing.
Frank Seravalli: Yeah, there’s no question in my mind that Vladar has been consistently better than Markstrom. For whatever reason Sutter has continued to treat it as a ‘you’re just keeping Markstrom’s seat warm’ but maybe that’s because he knows he might need both. I’m still so curious to see what the Flames do over the next couple of months. First, off they’re going to have to get better goaltending from Markstrom if they want to get there and he’s the guy who’s carrying the ball. Secondly, who would be their opening night starter? Still so much to be determined.
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