'I'M THE HUNTER'

It might have been the best game Adam Ruzicka has played at the NHL level.
And not even he would dispute that.
"It was definitely one of the better ones," the humble forward said of Thursday's tilt in Boston. "I mean, there's always room for improvement and it obviously sucks that we lost, but from a personal (standpoint) and the way I saw my game, I think I did really well."

Ruzicka - who's been holding court on the top line, alongside Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli, in the absence of Jonathan Huberdeau - is taking full advantage of the opportunity in front of him. While he admits the boost initially came as a surprise after sitting as a healthy scratch in nine of the first 10 games, he can sense the chemistry starting to form.
"I'm the hunter on that line," Ruzicka said. "It's pretty simple for me - get the puck in their hands as quickly as possible and allow them to make a play on the net.
"If I can do that and provide some energy for the guys, we'll make some things happen."
In Jersey, Ruzicka picked up his first point of the season with an assist on a powerplay goal - working the puck up top, before taking up residence in the blue paint and providing a sublime screen on the goalie, allowing Toffoli to walk in off the near circle and snipe it upstairs.

He followed that up with an even more impressive outing in Boston, playing a smart, savvy, 200-foot game that had multiple moments of brilliance offensively.
His most notable play came in the second period when Toffoli - begrudgingly - missed a wide-open net that would have put the Flames in front. Fact is, Toffoli doesn't get that shot in the first place without Ruzicka making a beautiful tip pass that surprised everyone, giving No. 73 that free look at the doorstep.
That cagey, net-front presence has been a real boon for the Flames, who despite entering tonight's clash with the Winnipeg Jets on a seven-game slide, have gotten all sorts of quality chances.
"I think that's where I can help the most," Ruzicka said of his work around the crease. "We obviously have some really skilled players on our powerplay, so if I can provide a good screen, some good support for them, I think we'll be in a good spot to have success."
Ruzicka finished the night with a 69.23% possession rate and an 8-1 shot differential when he was on the ice, 5-on-5.
Darryl Sutter said back in training camp that if Ruzicka was going to stick around and play meaningful minutes this year, he would likely do so on the wing - not his natural centre position.
Truthfully, the 23-year-old doesn't really have a preference.
He knows that Huberdeau - who will miss his third consecutive game tonight with an upper-body injury - will eventually return and rightfully go back on the top unit. But he's making a case to stay in, regardless of how injuries factor into the equation down the road.
As long as his name is on the lineup sheet at the NHL level, Ruzicka will do whatever it takes.
"As long as I'm playing in this league, I'm happy," he said. "My one focus is to stay in the lineup every night. That being said, if play hard every single shift and be consistent with it, that's all I can (control).
"I'm getting a great chance to be on this line and to play on the powerplay as well, so it's important I be consistent and help my linemates however I can."