Really impressive overall game from the team. Helps that the defending champs were tired and were missing Landeskog, but the Avs don't get done in like that often. Early going but the Flames' mentality looks like it's at a different level.
Loved Kadri, Weegar, and Dube that game. Kadri just makes it look simple out there, makes the right choice every time and makes it easy for his teammates. I think Weegar is going to be a force this season, as true a 2 way D as I've seen. Dube looks energetic and stronger.
Huberdeau showed a lot of good tools and made good passes on the PP, but he and his line struggled to make an impact at 5 on 5. Currently the 1st line has no one who can lug the puck up the ice, while the 2nd line has 3. Wonder if that's something that they'll change as they get more into the season.
4th line was pretty good but were definitely overmatched when Bednar started shortening the bench and got hemmed in quite a bit. I think Backlund and Coleman were let down by Lewis, who was fine but adds no on-puck value and killed possessions.
Hanifin-Andersson were solid overall but looked to get underwater against the MacKinnon line in the third as they started to push, and the 3rd pair were hemmed in often.
Great win to the get the season started! On to the Pretenders next.
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