The Calgary Flames loaded up on talent in the off-season, bringing in MacKenzie Weeger, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri. While most people thought they would be a force to be reckoned with, others felt there might be a learning curve for the new group to develop chemistry.
As the struggles continued throughout the beginning of the season, the team looks to be finally gelling together as a unit. Before the holiday break Head Coach, Darryl Sutter made it very clear that he considered being in a playoff spot by Christmas a victory.
However, Sutter has seemed to have finally figured out the puzzle pieces and got his Christmas wish. After an overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks Friday night the Flames sit in the 2nd and final Wild Card Spot.
Even though they're in a Wild Card spot, the Flames still have lots of ground to make up if they're going to try and close the gap in the Pacific Division. The Flames currently sit 1 point behind the Seattle Kraken, but the Kraken have 3 games in hand. Luckily for Sutter, it seems Dillon Dube has found his finishing touch recently and Elias Lindholm and Nazem Kadri have found their game again as well.
If the Flames get hot at the right time they could be a real danger to any team come post season, especially if the Flames figure out their struggles in goal. Despite it seeming like the sky is falling in Calgary, the Flames sit just 3 points behind their pace from last season.
