The Calgary Flames likely won’t win the William M. Jennings Trophy this season, annually bestowed upon the goaltenders on the team that allows the fewest goals against – odds are, Carolina or the Rangers will get that award. But the Flames have emerged as one of the stingiest defensive teams in hockey after being very much not that last season.
Speaking to the media following Sunday’s practice, head coach Darryl Sutter explained how the Flames became such a tight-checking group.
First and foremost, Sutter noted that cutting down goals against was something the team needed to do in order to return to the playoffs.