Much like the Leafs’ early success last season, Calgary’s start this year is smoke and mirrors.

Perception is a funny thing. Many journalists (and coaches and fans) have a hard time separating results from actual performance, probably because they don’t realize just how big a role randomness/luck plays over a 20 (or 40 or even 80) game span.

Hockey analytics can go a long way toward explaining what’s going on by providing substance and insight that aren’t limited to clichés.

-IJay Palansky at the Toronto Star on the Calgary Flames. Read on to find out why.