from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

... I had a chance to speak with Flames head coach Bob Hartley yesterday afternoon before the game. I asked him what he told his players after they lost Norris Trophy candidate and team MVP Mark Giordano for the season.

Hartley said he addressed the players after Monday's trade deadline because the timing was right, telling them this is their group now, no more help is on the way, that there was no way to replace Giordano. He also talked to his players about owing Giordano all they have and trying not let the season slip away due to his injury, telling them to get inspired by everything the captain stands for in terms of work ethic and character and use it as a group.

Hartley said he also reminded his players what people were saying about their team back in September, that Calgary would be in the Connor McDavid draft lottery. He told his players that now that Giordano was out everyone has written them off again. Well, the motivation speech has certainly worked so far with road wins in Philadelphia and Boston. Hard not to be cheering for the Flames right now to hang in there in the playoff race.

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