The Calgary Flames iced one of the best top lines in hockey this season.
But -- funny story -- they were just a backup plan.
If it weren't for a plethora of preseason injuries, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk wouldn't have started as the Flames' first line. The entire complexion of Calgary's offense -- heck, of the Flames' whole season -- might have unfolded differently.
And what a season the Flames would have missed. Calgary was among the NHL's elite teams, going 50-21-11 to win the Pacific Division for only the second time since 2005-06.