The Calgary Flames are the hottest team in the NHL.
After picking up a come-from-behind win in Nashville on Tuesday night the Flames have now won six consecutive games and are tied for 3rd(!!) in the Pacific Division.
Some thoughts on their big road win over the Predators:
1) Karri Ramo's workload was much lesser in the final 45 minutes but for my money he was key to this win.
The Flames came out of the gate flat as a pancake and Ramo was there to pick up the slack and keep the Flames in the game until they found their footing.
In the 1st period the Predators out-shot the Flames 12-5 and out-chanced them 13-2. Despite that the score was 1-0 after 20 minutes and the lone goal came on a penalty shot.
The Flames really needed a quality showing from Ramo and he came through.
2) Great players are the ones that get it done on a nightly basis even if they aren't at their best. I think that's what we saw from Johnny Gaudreau against Nashville. He was quiet for much of the night but he once again came through when the game was on the line with a beautiful assist on Kris Russell's OT winner.
Make it 10 points in five games for No. 13.
Johnny Hockey. https://t.co/9TOSqCLC1l
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) December 16, 20153) The Flames may have won six in a row but it's not all roses and rainbows as one of their key contributors, Michael Frolik, left last night's game with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Here's what injured Michael Frolik's shoulder. pic.twitter.com/TpQj3pNzNA
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) December 16, 2015Entering Tuesday night's game Frolik led the Flames in individual 5 vs 5 scoring chances with 66, led the Flames in 5 vs 5 scoring chance differential, and led the Flames in 5 v 5 shot attempts.
He's been a weapon at full-strength this season (and over the last few years) and is undoubtedly one of the team's best two-way players. Let's hope it's not serious.
4) T.J. Brodie is riding a seven-game point streak and has eight points in that span. Dougie Hamilton has points in five of his last six. Mark Giordano has six points in his last eight. Kris Russell has four points in his last two games.
The Flames have one of the most mobile, offensively potent blue lines in hockey and it's finally starting to show. It's no coincidence that they're winning on a much more frequent basis as a result.
5) A scary thought: Sam Bennett is quietly on pace for ~40 points as a 19-year-ol rookie and I think he's playing better than his counting numbers indicate. He's not getting a lot of recognition league-wide but by all accounts he's been an excellent player for the Flames this season. I think it's only a matter of time before he really breaks out.
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