[united]

Another terrific performance by the Flames - that's four dominant outings in a row.

All of a sudden the Flames are top 10 in even-strength corsi %, even-strength fenwick %, even-strength goals %, and even-strength expected goals %. On the PDO check, the Flames are 14th with an unsustainably-high save percentage (1st) and a shooting percentage that's bound to revert toward 8.5%, from 7.1%. That said, the Flames are T3 in home games played, so the easy part of the schedule is done - time to show they can carry the run on the road. But, things are looking real. Why those numbers now? Historically, 16 games is the optimal span to judge future performance, and given early season roster shuffling, I prefer around 20 games (discounting the first few)...the fact the Flames are trending upward is a really good sign.

Back to the game tonight!

How good were the 3M line again? Zero, yes zero offensive zone starts yet all three posted possession numbers north of 58% (outshot the Blues 11-4) - only topped by Gaudreau/Monahan, who had equal offensive/defensive starts. What a line.

Johnny Gaudreau is playing out of his mind. His confidence and flair is back and it's incredible to watch. Monahan has been terrific lately as well. Both started the season defence optional but have quickly reverted to the solid two-way play they ended last season with. Last season it took them until the new year to get things sorted so the fact they are delivering at both ends a month and a half earlier is great to see.

Brett Kulak, again, looked not only like he belongs but like a top-four defenceman. He's still playing cautious, in my opinion - which is understandable given his circumstances - but he's showing more confidence as displayed by his increasing escapability and transition passing. Complete joke he wasn't the #6 to start the season.

What a night for Mark Jankowski. Love the pick, hate the pick, how could you not root for him? Nobody has taken more undue criticism than he has. Awesome to see him get on the board not once but twice, but would have loved to see him pot the empty net hatty. His routes exiting the defensive zone and through the neutral zone are solid and well-timed - really helps the defencemen make the outlet. Some more time at NHL speed and his timing and board play will improve. Safe to say he won't see the AHL again, IMO. Like Kulak, it's embarrassing he wasn't in the opening night lineup.

Curtis Lazar has no hockey sense or offensive creativity...that I've seen, anyway. Again, what in the World had the Flames' evaluators willing to give up any asset much less a second-round pick for him?

Tarvis Hamonic is really struggling. Defence is the hardest position to adjust to a new system and partner so usually I give a defenceman 50 games - and I will with Hamonic, too - but the early returns have not been good at all. Kris Russell-esque (non) gap control, frequent rimming to the puck to no one or banging it off the glass to the other team in the neutral zone, and lack of foot speed. I hope he's just on a poor run of form because the early returns are tilting the move for him toward complete robbery by the Islanders.

Hope Mike Smith is okay; he's been the MVP of the season so far and losing him now, just as the team is starting to fire on all cylinders, would be really unfortunate.