[calgARI]

This team is pretty fascinating to watch. Certainly they haven't improved with 3rd period leads even if they managed to hold on tonight. But they were bad for a few minutes there. They work hard and none of the teams they have played so far have worked hard. I wish there was a better way to say it, but to me it has looked pretty simple.

Lot of credit to MacDonald who played very well tonight throughout the game.

Monahan makes dozens of good plays a game. Definitely making some mistakes but his hockey IQ is so high. Has great sense in the offensive zone and is very economical as a player. The argument Ferraro made to sending him back is ludicrous. He is their best offensive player right now and he actually play center. I don't see how they could possibly send him back and given the fact that he is contributing, playing well, AND getting better each game, what is there to gain? A year on the entry level deal? Really? That's why they'd send him back? I didn't realize this was 1996.

I just can't get over how thin the Flames are up in the middle and have still managed just fine. Colbourne hasn't done anything and has struggled. Street is doing a good job even though he is way over his head. Backlund playing really well and logging a lot of responsibility.

Thought all six blueliners were good tonight. Didn't notice the third pair much which is a good thing. Brodie is one of the more beautiful skaters in the league but is doing a lot of really good things out there.

Jones, Galiardi, Hudler, Stempniak all just playing solid. Going a long way. Baertschi's best game thus far. Getting more confident in the offensive zone.

PK Subban is one of the most dominating forces I've seen. When he gets a head of steam going, I have never seen a player that big and fast.

Thought the Flames PP and PK have gotten better with each game.

Can't say it enough - they work hard and that is why they are 2-0-2. Their are very good around the offensive net, better than any Flames team since 03-04. To all those GM's out there, they just need to watch how important hard work is to being successful in this league. No Flames team since 03-04 comes even close to the effort they have showed the first four games. Culture is big.