New York Islanders (7-7-4) at Calgary Flames (9-6-3)
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m. MT, Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: Sportsnet One. Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan
Odds: Islanders -111, Flames -108
The buzz
The Flames were awfully impressive in dispatching the Nashville Predators on Friday night, and they were rewarded with a couple days off. The big question heading into Tuesday’s matchup is whether Dustin Wolf’s shutout against the Preds earns him a second-straight start. The Flames have been operating with a platoon in net, with Wolf and Dan Vladar rotating night-to-night. Vladar was rewarded for posting a shutout against the New Jersey Devils earlier this month with a second-straight start against the Edmonton Oilers two nights later. Will Wolf get the same? We’ll know more after Tuesday’s morning skate.
The Islanders have been pretty so-so coming out of the gate this season, but don’t let their 7-7-4 record trick you into thinking they’re an easy out. They’ve picked up points in five of their last six games and have been in the second-most one-goal games in the NHL. They’ve also gone to overtime more than any team in the league, needing extra time to settle things seven times in 18 games. The Flames are right behind them, with six overtime games, so there’s every reason to think this could be a close one.
The quote
“From all indications went really well. I didn’t see him today, but he’s back in Calgary if I’m not mistaken and I’m assuming he’s going to start his rehab right away. It blows me away how quickly they get these guys going, I wouldn’t even be moving and they’ve got him in the gym already.”
— Flames head coach Ryan Huska on Anthony Mantha’s surgery on his knee last week
The poll
Which goalless player do you think will light the lamp next for the Flames?
a) Ryan Lomberg
b) Kevin Bahl
c) Brayden Pachal
d) Adam Klapka … next time he’s called up
The news
- Klapka was reassigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers over the weekend, his second time being sent down this season.
- The Flames are on the second game of a four-game homestand. They won their first one against the Predators on Friday and will play the New York Rangers on Thursday and the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. They’re 6-3-0 at home this season.
- The Flames took advantage of their break between Friday’s win over the Preds and Tuesday’s matchup with the Islanders by giving the players a rare in-season weekend off. By the sounds of it, quite a few of them were still at the Saddledome on Saturday, though: They couldn’t turn down the chance to see Bruce Springsteen live.
The projected lineup
- Forwards
- Huberdeau-Zary-Sharangovich
- Pospisil-Kadri-Kuzmenko
- Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
- Lomberg-Rooney-Kirkland
- Defence
- Bahl-Andersson
- Weegar-Miromanov
- Bean-Pachal
- Goalies
- Wolf
- Vladar
- The injuries
- Anthony Mantha (knee)
In case you missed it
Daniil Miromanov’s game-winner against the Predators was his first of the season and came after an extended stretch where he seems to be elevating his game.
Our own Wes Gilbertson took a look back at Ryan Huska’s first 100 games as head coach of the Flames, too.