Brodie and Gio are our First Line
Gio and Brodie are currently the two highest scoring defencemen in the NHL. Combined, they are +30. If you look at the next five highest scoring defencemen in the league, they are a -8 combined. It's pretty clear we have the top pair in the league and they are the two best players on the Flames.
In Hartley's system of five man units, our first line pretty much consists of any group of forwards who share the ice with Gio and Brodie. Ergo, on a team without a clear cut first line, Gio and Brodie are our first line. It certainly helps explain how seamlessly our new forwards have been able to step in. This situation is pretty much unique in the NHL right now, having a prolific top defence pair as main offensive catalyst. Its pretty awesome when our first line can play 25 minutes a night.
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