[TheScorpion]

I think the biggest turning-point for these Flames was that awful loss to Montreal on November 15. (Coincidentally, November 15 was also the big turning-point for the 2016-17 Flames).

After the loss to Montreal on November 15, the Flames were 10-8-1. Gaudreau had 19 points in 19 games, Ryan had 3 points and had been a healthy scratch, Bennett only had 4 points, Backlund only had 3 goals, Hanifin and Brodie only had 5 points, and Smith had a 5-7-1 record with a .876 SV%.

In the 34 games since:

- Gaudreau has 55 points in 34 games
- Ryan has 16 points in 34 games
- Backlund has 10 goals (and 20 points) in 30 games
- Bennett has 16 points in 32 games
- Hanifin has 21 points in 34 games
- Brodie has 22 points in 34 games
- Smith has been relegated to backup, and has gone 9-3-0 with a .902 SV%
- Rittich has excelled as starter with a 15-3-4 record and a .913 SV%

That's a testament to the strength of the team -- and Ryan has been a huge part of it.