The Calgary Flames are 3-0-1 in the preseason, and yes, while it is still pre-season, the games have been exciting to watch. New players are trying to make a name for themselves, while veterans work on gaining chemistry with linemates and getting their legs back after a long summer.

Two veterans who showcased a strong connection in their first game back were Anthony Mantha and Jonathan Huberdeau.

Mantha, signed to a one year, $3.5 million contract over the off-season, is coming into a Flames team where he will receive plenty of opportunity. The Flames coaching staff has met with him to discuss shooting the puck more. Who better to do that with than the player who loves to pass more than anyone else and has for the entirety of his career?

Against the Oilers in Edmonton, Mantha registered a goal and an assist, while Huberdeau tallied three assists in the victory. The two paired up for a nifty goal as well.

“Yeah, it was a great play,” Mantha said post-game. “Obviously, we had a couple of chances the shift before when [Yan Kuznetsov] scored. It was just a good passing play, and I ended up scoring. It’s been good. [Martin Pospisil] has been working really hard to get those pucks for us, and it gives us a lot of room out there.”

The two also paired up for the secondary and primary assist on this Rasmus Andersson rocket from the point:

“Yeah, we created some stuff,” Huberdeau said. “I mean, it’s the first exhibition game, but that was a good lineup on the other side, and I thought we played good as a team. Obviously, they had their surge, but we didn’t break, so that was a good team win.”

Huberdeau was complimentary of Mantha’s shooting abilities (for obvious reasons). Chemistry and finding each other’s rhythm is going to be as big a piece of the puzzle as much as their complementary skills are, but that will also come with more time on the ice together, both in practice and game scenarios.

“Yeah, for sure, I mean, that’s his strength,” Huberdeau said. “I think he’s got a tremendous shot, and obviously, chemistry is going to go a long way. I mean, Pospy in the middle is good. He’s driving the line. It’s good to see that. I thought we had a lot of looks tonight, so we have to do that game after game.”

The combination of an excellent shot and some of the best passing senses in the NHL could be lethal for the Flames. We saw it last season with Huberdeau and Yegor Sharangovich, who also had an impressive first pre-season game, albeit in Calgary and not with Huberdeau and Mantha in Edmonton.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see these two stick together for the rest of the postseason and on the same line to begin the regular season, especially if Huska believes putting a young player on that line with them (likely Zary, considering he can play centre) would be suitable for all parties involved. Nonetheless, having someone like Mantha, who wants to score and is being told to shoot the puck more, with Huberdeau could boost their values and help the team win games they otherwise wouldn’t via even strength or the power-play.