GUD ON HIM!

There's no denying what Erik Gudbranson has brought to the Flames lineup.
A tough, smothering, in-your-face presence on defence, he was asked to play an important role when the team signed him in the off-season and he has lived up to the billing.
A real carpe diem type thing.

"It's kind of a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league," said Gudbranson Monday after practice, prior to team flying to Minnesota for Tuesday's return match with the Wild. "I've played for some teams that were going through rebuilds, growing pains and I've played on some good hockey teams. Was given an opportunity here, any opportunity handed my way I have to grasp and do whatever I can.
"There were lows for sure. There are a lot of highs and lows in this league, a lot of it you take home with you, sit on your couch and think about it. But you just have to be ready when an opportunity presents itself. You have to be ready to be at your best when it's there.
"I've had opportunities in the past I've failed and opportunities now that I'm trying to make the best of. It's been a lot of fun, it's made me a better person going through the stuff I've gone through, it's made me understand, what the league is, the ins and outs of it. Been moved around quite bit, moving families, getting U-Haul's, storage lockers, all that stuff has led to me being the person I am now and I'm just using every opportunity now to be better."

Five-on-five and on the penalty-kill, Gudbranson has done it all defensively and with three goals in his last seven games, has chipped in offensively - sitting just one point shy of his career high of 13 set back in the 2014-15 season.
Playing alongside Nikita Zadorov, the duo has only gotten stronger as the season has progressed.
"They are important players who don't get enough credit," said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. "That pair gets a lot of good starts, they have to set a physical tone for the team and advance pucks the right way."
With the Flames sitting atop the Pacific Division with a 31-13-6 record, the rematch with a Wild is another step towards the ultimate goal - a postseason run at the Stanley Cup.
Until then, no one - including Gudbranson - is getting the least bit complacent.
"We're playing well," he said. "It's a group of guys that work hard every single day, coached really well. I love playing in front of the fans, they are nice and loud and full of jump in the building. It's been a lot of fun.
"But, until we fully lock up that playoff spot and get to where we want to be, there's a ton of work to be done."