The Calgary Flames begin the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs on Thursday evening when they host the Colorado Avalanche. One subject of concern regarding the Flames is their goaltending, while another mentioned has been a lack of playoff experience on their roster.
Yeah, the Flames have downgraded their level of playoff experience with some of their moves over the past few seasons. But they’ve also unquestionably become a deeper, better team.
Which Flames have playoff experience?
The following players are (a) expected to dress for Game 1 and (b) have played in the Stanley Cup playoffs before this season:
- James Neal: 100 games (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Michael Frolik: 42 games (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017)
- Mike Smith: 19 games (2011, 2012)
- Travis Hamonic: 17 games (2013, 2016)
- Mikael Backlund: 15 games (2015, 2017)
- Sam Bennett: 15 games (2015, 2017)
- TJ Brodie: 15 games (2015, 2017)
- Johnny Gaudreau: 15 games (2015, 2017)
- Sean Monahan: 15 games (2015, 2017)
- Mark Giordano: 8 games (2007, 2017)
- Oscar Fantenberg: 4 games (2018)
- Matthew Tkachuk: 4 games (2017)
(Frolik won a Stanley Cup in 2013.