It baffles me as to how little accolades Monahan gets thrown his way - even from this very fanbase. Monahan is absolutely clutch, and is a game-breaker - I love this kid.
Flames looked a lot better against the Blues than they have in the past, but the Blues are also a smaller team this year than in previous seasons. That's ok though - they are still one of the league's measuring sticks in terms of size and skill. Flames battled them well, and didn't look like they were getting run over at any time.
I am with some of the posters here - Chicago is not scary for the Flames. Good team? You bet - one of the NHL's elite teams for sure. I just don't really fear them. Flames have a decent track record over them in the last few seasons, so I am all up for a Chicago-Calgary matchup. The only team I really don't want to see in the west is actually St. Louis - even if Calgary wins that series, they would probably be fairly banged-up.
I don't even care about Anaheim - that Honda Center curse will be broken next game. Besides, it is only a regular season curse anyways
I like the Flames chances this spring. I don't think they will be an 'easy out' for anyone, and who knows what kind of a run they can manage to put up. I am not circling them as a favorite or anything, but I like teams that are running hot into the playoffs, and I would feel more comfortable putting money on them than say a Sharks or Wild team that look disjointed at the moment. Perhaps this is the season they launch themselves into the playoffs and turn into contenders, and not look back until the team finds itself in the need of another rebuild in a decade?
Hmm... getting ahead of myself here. Just hoping they crush their enemies, see them driven out of the playoffs before them, and hear the lamentations of their fanbases.
