Having two of the NHL's top scorers has played a significant role in the Flames' streak. But the goals coming early has mattered, too, paving the way to wins by letting Calgary lean on its goaltending and defensive play the rest of the way. (EricFrancis)
Flames fans may have a hard time comprehending that little nugget, given the team’s history of poor starts to games and seasons.
Milan Lucic scored early Tuesday, marking the fourth-straight game on this road trip the Flames have struck first. It’s a surprising development for a team that spent the last handful of training camps talking about the perils of trying to play catch up in today’s NHL. “That’s been the difference so far this year and what we didn’t have last year -- we’d get frustrated and try to do too much,” said Lucic, whose club seemed to forever be behind early last season.
“I think it starts with their compete level in the scoring areas, winning battles, making plays and, most importantly, finishing plays in those areas,” said Lucic when asked about a run that has seen Mangiapane score 12 goals in his last 10 NHL games, as well as seven goals in seven outings“A lot of his goals are from the crease in, because he’s willing to get there. He’s scraping for rebounds and getting inside on guys. That’s where guys get rewarded.
"It reminds me a little bit of our line in Tampa in the sense that we can play big minutes and play d-zone faceoffs and be relied upon defensively but at the same time contribute offensively. We’re building chemistry but I like the way it’s going.”
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