The main boards are comical with the Flames fans beating their chest.
*Grumble*
we better beat them
Let them have their moment in the clouds. In their entire 45+ year history, they don't get to see the view from the top of the mountain very much. It's usually very brief.
I'm still of the thought they are massively over-achieving and their bubble is going to start to burst in 2019 (mind you everyone expected this to happen to Vegas as well last year). This is the season of the over-achiever in the NHL so far. When you look at some of the pre-season predictions in the media, the Canucks, Rangers, Hurricanes, Wings and Islanders weren't supposed to be very good and be potentially battling it out for lottery position. Some thought Buffalo would be down there again, but that 10 game win streak sure vaulted them, despite being on a 5 game stinker now. Yet they still sit 3rd in the Atlantic ( 4 up on Boston) and the Islanders are sitting in 3rd in the Metro with 31 points. The Rangers and Canes of all teams are nipping at their heels with 30 points. Even the Red Wings sit just 3 points out of a wildcard spot right now. Vancouver is another team that hasn't really been sticking to the script either being 4 points out of a wildcard spot in the West.
There's still 50+ games to play and lots will happen between now and then, but through the first 30 games there have been some surprises in the standings...what a log jam and so unpredictable.