Are the Flames Back?

Okay, so maybe we need to pump the brakes a little when asking if the Flames are back, given that they had the second-fewest points in the Western Conference last season. However, after losing their first five games, they have won two of their last three, and in their last game, they beat the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes.

Not Like the Season So Far in Impressive Win 

One of the main reasons the Flames got off to such a bad start was a defense that ranks second-to-last in the NHL, giving up an average of 4.63 goals per game. However, in their impressive win over the Hurricanes, they played solid defense in a 3-2 win. They won despite allowing more shots (36-34), but killed both of Carolina’s power-play chances and frustrated an attack that ranks fourth in the league in scoring.

Devin Cooley (1-2-0, 4.01 GAA, .868 save %) got his first win of the season, and the backup Calgary netminder had given up 10 goals in his first two starts. The Flames not only got their second win of the season, but they also snapped Carolina’s seven-game win streak.

A Calgary team that ranks second-to-last in the NHL in both GAA and goals per game still has a lot of work to do. However, winning two of three games and taking down the defending champs in their last game gives Flames fans hope for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since the 2021-2022 season.

Is +170 the Lucky Number? 

The Flames are hoping +170 is the lucky number again, as it was their moneyline underdog number in the Carolina game and is their number tonight as the dog, again, hosting the Minnesota Wild.

At least Calgary now has some confidence after winning two of three games, following five losses in which they were outscored 27-8.