Five storylines to watch As the calgary flames host their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, tonight At 7 p.m. MT At the scotiabank saddledome (TV: Sportsnet, radio: Sportsnet 960 The fan)
1. TKACHUK OUT? VERSTEEG IN? Matthew Tkachuk left the ice in the third period of Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders, setting off panic in Calgary. The panic continued Monday when the 20-year-old winger was absent from the team skate. Also missing were Mikael Backlund and Sean Monahan, both whom have taken “maintenance” days of late. But Tkachuk’s absence was the most concerning. As for Kris Versteeg, who underwent hip surgery in December, he was skating on the team’s third line with Mark Jankowski and Garnet Hathaway. Versteeg could return, potentially, in Tuesday’s game. His last game was on Nov. 24 at Dallas.
2. HAMONIC HONOURED Defenceman Travis Hamonic was an obvious choice for the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award, the in-house nod for showing perseverance, determination and leadership on the ice, combined with dedication to community service off the ice. Hamonic was honoured at Monday’s Sportsnet Brightest Star Luncheon. Since being acquired by the Flames last summer, he has implemented his D -Partner Program that sees children who have lost a parent get the VIP treatment at a Flames game. He has also created The Northern Project in support of Indigenous children. The effort sees a family receive an all-expenses trip to Calgary courtesy of Hamonic and his wife Stephanie. Also honoured was Mikael Backlund, who received the J.R. McCaig Award.
3. MVP MCDAVID If there’s a debate over the best player in the NHL right now, Connor McDavid has answered it. The Oilers’ superstar has 18 goals in his last 19 games. Heading into Monday’s action, McDavid sat third in NHL scoring with 33 goals and 84 points. With 14 games left, he could earn his second straight Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer.
4. AW MAN(GIAPANE) Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane is done for the season. The 21-year-old will undergo shoulder surgery this week, which is bad news for the Flames but even worse news for their American Hockey League affiliate Stockton Heat. Mangiapane has 21 goals and 25 assists in 39 games, his second season as a professional, and is Stockton’s leading scorer.
5. HERE COME THE OILERS Edmonton is riding a three-game win streak with the latest W coming on Saturday, a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild … The Flames have lost the last seven to the Oilers … Following Tuesday’s Battle of Alberta clash, the Oilers will be back on March 31 to close out the five-game season series … D Ethan Bear will get a first-hand look at the Battle of Alberta after making his NHL debut five games ago … Newcomer RW Pontus Aberg will skate on Connor McDavid’s line for the second straight game … LW Milan Lucic has one goal since Dec. 23.
Flames G Mike Smith vs. Oilers C Connor McDavid
SPECIAL TEAMS POWER PLAY (prior to Monday) FLAMES: 17.6 per cent (24th) OILERS: 15.2 per cent (29th) PENALTY KILL (prior to Monday) FLAMES: 81.1 per cent (13th) OILERS: 74.4 per cent (31st)
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SICK BAY FLAMES: C/LW Marek Hrivik (upper body), LW Matthew Tkachuk (upper body) OILERS: D Oscar Klefbom (shoulder)