The Calgary Flames hadn’t even clinched the playoffs before comparisons were made with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avs, as you recall, were the surprise of the west last year only to crash down to earth this year just as the majority of hockey minds predicted.
Citing analytics, an inflated shooting percentage and a record number of shot blocks, experts are already pegging the Flames as next year’s Avalanche.
“I think with the personnel we have here in terms of players, staff and coaches, there’s too much passion in this organization to know we’re just going to make the post-season and then drop off,” Flames winger Brandon Bollig said when asked about the comparison.