Have Calgary Flames Found A New Dynamic Duo?

Flames forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri have been streaking in their second chance to click together

Aside from goaltender Dustin Wolf, who posted a 3-0 shutout against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday, the hottest Calgary Flames  may be Johnathan Huberdeau and linemate Nazem Kadri.

Huberdeau has nine points in his last seven games and Kadri has goals in three straight — a couple of them of the highlight-reel variety — and a four-game point streak. 

Given how they failed to click just a couple of seasons ago when Huberdeau was dealt to Calgary and Kadri chose the Flames in free agency, it's a bit surprising to see how the chemistry has developed now. 

Then again, with Huberdeau being a gifted passer and Kadri rarely refusing to take a shot, there's a reason they were projected to play together to start the 2022-23 season. 

It didn't take, and they haven't been together much since. But after a pitiful stretch of hockey took the Flames out of a playoff spot, head coach Ryan Huska changed things up. Reuniting Kadri and Huberdeau seemed to ignite a spark between the two, and they've taken off since. 

"Had to go back to the first one, I did the full cycle" Huberdeau joked with reporters recently when asked about playing with Kadri again. 

As Kadri demonstrated with two highlight reel goals in the past two games, things can change in a flash. Huska was asked if he thought Kadri was rubbing off on Huberdeau the day following a Flames win at home. 

"Or the other way around," Huska responded, quick to point out each player brings their own skills to the line.

 "I think you could look at it both ways." 

With Russian winger Andrei Kuzmenko struggling, and now fighting an injury, Young winger Martin Pospisil has been the third piece of the top line. Despite being held scoreless in his last six games, he has looked good up with the veterans. With 21 hits in his last four games, Pospisil creates space for his linemates.

The trio has helped form a legit top line for the Flames,  something the team has been scrambling to put together since losing cornerstone players Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau, and center Elias Lindholm. 

The streaks come at a key time for the Calgary Flames, with Kadri and Huberdeau elevating their play during what many labelled a rebuilding year. Through the ups and downs, these two talented veterans have shown some consistency.