[dammage79]

Just got home from the game. Here are some things I took away from tonight.

Hudler. Stirs the drink Calgary is trying to mix. The Flames would be far worse off without his presence and smarts on the ice. I thought Monahan saw the ice well in the viewings I've had. But Hudler is on another plane of existence in terms of reading the game.

Monahan played well tonight but was gawd awful in the faceoff circle. I may not have been paying attention to every faceoff but he was beat cleanly a bunch. Needs work. Will come with time.

With that being said, The Sven, Hudler, Monahan line is awesome. for two small wingers and a slightly above average center, they play very well together and create lots of good plays in both ends.

If Hartley were to use Randy Carlyle's tactics of finding great pairs and keeping them together, Cammy and Colborne should never be split up. those two played very well together tonight.

Ramo isn't pretty when it comes to the big saves but man he gets it done. That weird pad stack/kick save in the second or third was awesome but looked like a circus chimp on roller skates getting done.

Wideman, was great tonight, let up a bit and certainly could have murdered a couple Caps wingers tongiht with that hip check of his. Played smart all night.

My number on star tonight, Kris Russell. Was so freaking good everywhere on the ice. Made great pinches and reads in the offensive zone. Skated the puck out with confidence. Made some really saavy plays in the Flames' own end. By far and wide the best player on the ice tonight.

Butler was average but coughed the puck up a few times in his own end. But certainly was not the Liability he's been lately and forever.

Holtby is cursed by the Flames for some reason. Dudes not himself at all against them.
Neuvirth had some good saves tonight but could not keep the caps in it.

Awesome game.