CALGARY, Alberta -- Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau both signed monster contracts in the offseason with the expectation they would lead the Calgary Flames to a prosperous future.The linemates got off to a slow start and right away tongues started to wag in Calgary after three losses.But what happened to end the fourth game brought hope to Flames fans and those holding the purse strings that things are turning for the better. Gaudreau set up Monahan with the winning goal in a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.It was Monahans second goal of the season to go with no assists. Gaudreau, who finished in the top 10 in league scoring in 2015-16, has yet to score but has two assists. Hardly a blazing start for two players who will make in excess of $6 million each this winter.Hopefully, its the beginning of them getting their game going again, first-year head coach Glen Gulutzan said.I know both young guys have been putting pressure on themselves and I can see it. It just takes one of those things to turn it when youre the quality of player of both of those gentlemen. We underestimate confidence and that gives you a little confidence.The Flames host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night in what almost became a battle of winless teams. The Hurricanes started the season 0-1-2 and arrive in Calgary after dropping a second straight overtime decision on their four-game western Canada swing on Tuesday with a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.The big story in Calgary during the summer was the restricted free agency of both Monahan and Gaudreau, who completed entry-level contracts.Gaudreau and the Flames struggled to come to terms and the Salem, N.J., native didnt sign until a day before the regular season began. He got a six-year deal for $40.5 million. Monahan agreed to a seven-year, $44.625 million contract in August.The question to be answered now: Was Monahans game-winner the ice-breaker for the Flames two stars?I think so, Monahan said. When you win it brings confidence. As a group, its home ice and the way that we battled back and found a way to win is big for our team.It brought Gulutzan, who was hired to replace fired Bob Hartley in June, his first NHL win as a head coach. But he cared more about his stars getting going than his accomplishment.Everybody needed that goal and when I say everybody, probably the fans, the coaches and Mony himself, Gulutzan said.I was more excited for the guys. You get to be around your team for a month here and weve got a great group and theyre trying. Theyre really putting it out there. Theyre squeezing a little bit. To get that off them, I think, will move us forward. So we needed it and they needed it.Carolina comes into Thursday feeling no such optimism after falling behind 3-0 on Tuesday in Edmonton and losing 3-2 for their third straight one-goal loss.You dont want top start a losing streak and youve got to put an end to it, Hurricanes coach Bill Peters told the Raleigh News & Observer. Youve got to put the brakes on that and thats what we have to do Thursday in Calgary.One positive for Carolina has been the play of well-traveled veteran right winger Lee Stempniak, who leads the Hurricanes in the early going with five points. He scored twice within 56 seconds in the third period to make it a one-goal game in Edmonton, but the rally ended there.The Hurricanes signed the 33-year-old in the offseason for two years, making Carolina the 10th stop in his 12-year career.Lee Stempniaks an underrated guy, Peters said. Hes got a heavy stick, hes strong on the puck. Hes a very intelligent player. Real Wood Water Bottle . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Black Swell Bottle Nz . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. http://www.swellbottlesnz.com/swell-bottle-nz-sale.html . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Swell Bottle Nz . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. Swell Bottle Black . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free agent receiver Cecil Shorts III and waived receiver Evan Spencer.Shorts entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. He spent the first four years of his career with the Jaguars before signing with the Houston Texans last season.The sixth-year pro has 218 career receptions for 2,877 yards and 14 touchdowns.The Bucs announced thhe signing Tuesday, three days after trimming the roster to the regular-season limit of 53 players.dddddddddddd.Spencer spent most of 2015 on Tampa Bays practice squad before making his NFL debut in the final game of the season.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '