NET GAINS

While they may not be pigging out like it's, say, 1988 or '89, these boys certainly are showing a healthy appetite for goals.
With 100 already accounted for, only Tampa Bay (114) and Toronto (102) have illuminated more red lights than the Flames since the beginning of October.
And while, yes, fully understanding we're still relatively early in the process, this edition of the Flaming C finds itself on a current pace to stockpile a shade under 300 goals.
You have to be an ancient historian, scroll all the way back to the 1993-94 campaign, for the last time this franchise put up 300-plus in a season, at 302.

And to put that gap in some sort of historical perspective, in 1994 Forrest Gump had just reached theatres (where the price of a ticket was $4.08), Jeff Bezos founded Amazon and Playstation was launched.
So, yeah, it's been awhile.
"It's a good situation we're in," agrees coach Bill Peters, on a day away from the rink for the team. "We're getting depth scoring, from throughout the lineup. And the powerplay's been good since we got into a rhythm, two weeks into the season.
"We have the ability and skills to score on a consistent basis but at some time I do believe the league will tighten up.
"You're seeing it a little bit in the Pacific right now. Anaheim, L.A. and Edmonton are having recent success playing low-scoring games.
"Right now, though, there are games you can't explain. Last night in Columbus being one of them. I mean, a combined 15 goals …"
Ah, yes. That 4-1 first-period deficit magically transformed into a 9-6 victory. With a stirring series of comebacks, the Flames are proving harder to kill off than a salacious rumour.
"It's not just happening with us," says Peters. "We were watching a little bit of the Washington-Anaheim game the other night. Wash was up, I believe, 5-1 and lost 6-5.
"You just can't take your foot off the gas in this league.
"There've been nights where we've come out, been real good early, had a little bit of a lull and had to pick it back up. So we'd like to be a more consistent team over the course of 60 minutes."

Key in the Ohio uprising on Tuesday was, no surprise, Johnny Gaudreau. The pocket Merlin's four-point (2G,2A) turn pushed him up to eighth in league scoring, at 35 points.
"He's as dynamic as any player in the league," said Peters. "A special guy in his ability to make something out of nothing. He holds onto pucks when it seems nothing is happening, buying time for others to catch up or get open in the offensive zone. Then all of a sudden he makes a subtle 15-foot pass against the grain and it catches the defence out of position.
"Unique skill-set. Driven player. Still at a young age, there's room for growth, too. He should trust his shot more. It was on display (Tuesday in Columbus), when he went bar-down. And the other night, too.
"So he's got a good shot.
"The line's very good. And Johnny does a good job on the flank on the left side. Just a real good player taking advantage of the opportunity to be out there with other good players."
Given the assimilation of fresh faces to the roster, three new coaches and the pre-season trip to China, the start to this campaign - especially this last stretch - has been, by any critique, encouraging.
They're top dogs in the Pacific Division.
Third place in the Western Conference.
A 7-2-1 record over 10 games, 12-4-1 in their most recent 17.
Only one Flames team over the past 17 seasons has compiled more than 36 points through its opening 28 fixtures - 2008-2009's, at 39.
Wait, there's more.
Humming merrily along at 23.8%, as Peters mentioned, Calgary's powerplay currently ranks 11th. A year ago, it finished in 30th position, second from the bottom, at 16.0%.
Their goals-for-against differential of +18 ranks third in the Western Conference, trailing only co-leaders Nashville and Colorado (+23 apiece).
So while, as the cliche goes, there's always room for improvement, it'd be folly to quibble too much as the Flames push towards Christmas.
"We've had consistent goaltending," says Peters. "Our powerplay has been dangerous, scoring in five straight games, I believe. Even when it doesn't score we have a lot of zone, taxing the other team's penalty-killers.
"Then there's just the growth of our young players. They're improving, maturing, right in front of our eyes, showing the confidence to make plays.
"And our veterans have done a real good job with leading the way, making sure they're steady on the rudder.
"So, certainly, a lot of positives to draw on.
"But, like I said before, it's only going to get tougher."