RAS-LE DAZZLE

His thunderous point blast and punctual passing ability has long been part of the repertoire.
But now, with the opportunity of his NHL lifetime, Rasmus Andersson is putting them both to good use.
"You get more and more comfortable with each day, each practice and each game that goes by," the defenceman said Tuesday, summarizing his orderly, point-per-game pace this year.

Yes, it's early, but Andersson is the New Cannon on the Block - the quarterback of the Flames' updated-and-improved, No.-1 powerplay unit that is humming along at a 35% clip.
Andersson and the Flames' top unit will get another chance to turn heads tonight when they host Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. MT at the Scotiabank Saddledome (Sportsnet One; Sportsnet 960 THE FAN).
He's earned the praise - of which, there's plenty - for a player that's made the most of an opportunity.
At every level he's played, Andersson has put up points and been a key contributor on special teams. When he was drafted in 2015, he was coming off an OHL career-high of 64 points (12G, 52A) and was only one spot below his current Flames teammate, Andrew Mangiapane, in the Barrie Colts' team scoring race.
Six years on, his role has been re-imagined.
As the distributor up top, he can either dish off to players such as Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm on the flanks, or set up for a one-timer and blitz a shot through traffic.

It's the ultimate dual threat.
And so far, it's paying off.
"I play with a lot skilled players on the powerplay, and when you give them the puck, good things are going to happen," Andersson said. "When you play with guys like that, if you try and make plays out there to try and create some time and space for them, it's a
good thing for everyone.
"It's going well. Our powerplay has been really good so far and we've got to keep it going."
Andersson has five goals and 22 points last year, but really stepped up his offensive game in the bubble when he recorded three tucks and five points in only 10 playoff games.
The 24-year-old is now a regular on the top D pairing with captain Mark Giordano. The 5-on-5 game is a work in progress thanks to an increase in minutes and defensive responsibility, but his 21:28 time-on-ice average - with many of those coming against the opposition's best - speaks to how his role has evolved this year.
The mindset has, too.
"Maybe, in the past, I was thinking more about the all-around game, and now it's time for me to play to my full register offensively," Andersson said.
"It feels really good. But, we're only four games in.
"We'll take it day by day, game by game."
Every rep counts and Andersson isn't taking any of this for granted.
He never has.
"There's something to be said for the unseen hours that an athlete puts in in terms of honing their craft," said Head Coach Geoff Ward.
"He's certainly put in the unseen hours."