Flames Atop Pacific Standings? Believe It.

A quarter of the way through the NHL season, it is probably time more people take the Calgary Flames seriously.

Opponents and individuals.

Surely, not a single person was banking on the Flames having a chance to be atop the Pacific Division standings by American Thanksgiving, yet we are just a week away from that being a very real possibility after the Flames swept their four-game home stand with a 4-3 shootout win in a Saturday matinee.

With 21 games already played, the Flames have been surprisingly successful. Their scoring leader is a defenceman, nobody is on pace for more than 50 points, and the defensive group has been in flux since the Flames traded away three of their top last season.

Yet, it’s all working.

The goal scoring might be meagre, but it’s coming from everywhere. The rotation on the blue line has been keeping players fresh and focused. And the goaltending competition has turned out to be one of the brighter spots of the season so far.

The Flames have mastered the comeback, found ways to overcome the collapses, and continued to pile up points with a 12–6–3 record so far this season.

On Saturday it was a case of overcoming a collapse after the Flames gave up a two-goal lead in the third period. Very uncharacteristic of a team that has played its best hockey in the third period this year.

Related: Former GM Doug MacLean Says Maple Leafs Should Pursue Flames Top Star

After goals from Kevin Rooney and Martin Pospisil in the first 40 minutes, the Flames added a second powerplay goal to take a 3-1 lead when Yegor Sharangovich ripped on one-timer from the high slot early in the third period.

Down by two with Marcus Johansson the only player to beat Dan Vladar to that point, the wild had a strong finish. Sophomore, defenceman, Brock Faber netted a goal on the powerplay with about four minutes left to cut into the lead. Marco Rossi tied it up with 34 seconds left in regulation.

Nothing was settled in overtime and Vladar gave up a shootout goal to Fred Gaudreau that forced Justin Kirkland to score to keep things going. For the third time in four NHL attempts this year, Kirkland was successful.

Rasmus Andersson scored the winner and Vladar shut down Ryan Hartman to secure the win - the team’s fourth in a row.

For all their perceived shortcomings, you can’t argue against results.