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The Calgary Flames may have what it takes to reach the Grand Finals this season, their first since 2004.
Calgary Flames
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It would be a major feat for them, who missed the playoffs last season.
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Calgary Flames
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In 2021-2022, the Flames lost their first two games, before winning the next six. We were starting to believe it!
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Ten straight wins
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The most impressive streak then came in January and February. Ten straight wins, no less.
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Tyler Toffoli
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This prompted the team to move quickly to secure the services of one of the NHL's top goal scorers, Tyler Toffoli.
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Tyler Toffoli
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Toffoli didn't disappoint when he arrived, having scored 5 goals in his first 7 games with the Flames.
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Tyler Toffoli
Credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
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It remains to be seen if the prolific winger will be able to score the big goals in the playoffs, he scored 5 in 22 games last year in Montreal.
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Tyler Toffoli
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Another notable acquisition for the Flames during the trade period was Swedish forward Calle Jarnkrok, who was acquired from the Seattle Kraken.
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Calle Jarnkrok
Credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
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The latter cost the Flames second and third round picks. Expensive for a player with about 30 points per year?
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Elias Lindholm
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Maybe, but it doesn't matter: Jarnkrok is a regular and reliable field hockey player. Moreover, with the Flames, he joined his cousin Elias Lindholm...
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Jacob Markstrom
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... and his childhood friend Jacob Markstrom. The three of them formed the "Gavle Gang"!
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Gavle, Sweden
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The town of Gavle, Sweden saw this trio grow up in the 90's, before all three reached the National Hockey League.
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Elias Lindholm
Credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
![Elias Lindholm]()
Speaking of Lindholm, the Flames obviously made it a point to keep him happy by getting his good friend. It paid off!
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Elias Lindholm
Credit: © Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
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Lindholm is indeed having a great season, similar to his career best (27 goals 51 assists for 78 points in 2018-2019).
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Jacob Markstrom
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Markstrom, meanwhile, is holding down the fort in front of the cage. He has hardly ever presented such good statistics since the beginning of his career.
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Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk
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On offense, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk are free electrons. They are field hockey players like few others today!
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Johnny Gaudreau
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![Johnny Gaudreau]()
Gaudreau has been dominating the team's scoring column for a few seasons now, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
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Johnny Gaudreau
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He, too, can compare his 2021-2022 output to his career-best 2018-2019 (36 goals and 63 assists for 99 points).
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Matthew Tkachuk
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Tkachuk is the type of player every team would want to have on their roster. He's disruptive, he's intense, and he gets it all done.
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Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin
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Then, the Flames are driving on defense with youngsters Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin (24).
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Calgary Flames
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It's not a given that the Flames will win the Stanley Cup, but it seems a given that we'll be talking about this feisty team for a long time to come!
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