En route to their early perch atop the Western Conference standings, the Flames have now posted a remarkable seven shutouts in their first 19 games. It’s the first time a team has done that since wait for it the NHL started allowing offensive forward passes in 1929.
The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks – two teams with identical records and faint playoff hopes – will be forced to wait to face off after two Canucks players and a Vancouver coaching staff member entered the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol Wednesday.
Several hours after both the Flames and Canucks had their morning skates, word came out from the league on Wednesday evening – less than two hours before puck drop in Vancouver – that their matchup would be postponed.
The NHL will have an update on Thursday. On Tuesday, Canucks forward Adam Gaudette was pulled off the ice during practice after testing positive and added to the protocol list.
Donna Spencer
Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom, right, talks with goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet, centre, as goalie David Rittich looks on during a training camp practice in Calgary, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh January 12, 2021 - 4:05 PM
CALGARY - Can the arrival of a marquee goalie and a redistribution of the goalscoring load finally produce an extended playoff run for the Calgary Flames?
The Flames have exited the first round of playoffs in mortifying fashion three of the last four years, and missed the post-season altogether in 2018. It s time for people to look at us as a serious contender throughout the league, Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk said.