Is the Flames Devin Cooley Just Getting Started?

There’s nothing quite like a goaltender getting on a roll when a hockey team needs a little good news. The Calgary Flames have had a rough start to the season, and they could use something to build on. Right now, Devin Cooley is giving them exactly that.

Cooley stopped 28 of 29 shots in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, extending his winning streak to three starts. Over those three games, he has allowed just four goals on 102 shots. Those are encouraging numbers for a 29-year-old goalie trying to establish himself, and they give Calgary a reason to look ahead rather than dwell on a difficult opening stretch.

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The Flames Are Riding the Hot Hand in Cooley.

Head coach Ryan Huska appears comfortable sticking with Cooley while he’s playing well. That makes sense. Goaltenders are often judged by their numbers, but confidence matters, too. When a goalie starts seeing the puck clearly and making the saves his team needs, there’s something to be said for letting him find his rhythm.

Of course, three strong starts don’t suddenly make Cooley a proven number-one goaltender. He’s 3-2-0 this season, with a 2.80 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage through five starts. Those are respectable numbers, but the sample is small, and the season will eventually present tougher stretches.

Still, Calgary doesn’t need to decide today what Cooley’s long-term ceiling might be. It needs him to keep giving the team a chance to win. Right now, he’s doing that.

A Little Confidence Can Go a Long Way for Cooley.

Here’s the interesting part. When a young roster gets off to a poor start, the pressure can build quickly. Players begin pressing, mistakes become more noticeable, and every loss seems to raise another question about where the season is headed. A timely goalie save can help break that cycle. He gives his teammates a little breathing room. They can make a mistake without the puck immediately ending up in their net, and that can help everyone settle down.

Cooley may not keep winning at this pace, and Calgary’s upcoming schedule against the Maple Leafs, Oilers, Kraken, and Avalanche will provide a substantial test. But the Flames can take something from these three wins beyond the points in the standings. Sometimes progress begins with a player finding his game and giving everyone else a reason to believe they can find theirs, too.

Cooley has earned the opportunity to keep going. Now the challenge is to see whether he can turn a promising run into something more lasting.

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