Calgary is preparing for its back-to-back home opening against Seattle at the Scotiabank Saddledome with Dustin Wolf expected to handle the crease after Devin Cooley’s injury-related exit.
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The Calgary Flames are set to begin a difficult back-to-back stretch with the Seattle Kraken visiting the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday evening, and head coach Ryan Huska said the team will use the next 48 hours to determine who will play in its next game in Colorado.
Huska’s comments came as Calgary looks to build on a recent start that included a change in goal on Wednesday. Dustin Wolf took over crease duties in relief after Devin Cooley was forced out of his fifth straight start following a crease collision with Edmonton’s Colton Dach.
In Wolf’s first game action as the starter after that change, he stopped 20 of 23 shots, including a low-slot robbery late in the second period when Leon Draisaitl released a dangerous attempt.
Huska did not provide an update Thursday on Cooley’s lower-body ailment. Arsenii Sergeev, the de facto No. 1 with the AHL’s Wranglers, made 36 saves in Calgary’s 4-2 victory over Laval.
While Wolf had not started in more than two weeks, Huska said the goalie has remained prepared. He noted Wolf’s time off was an opportunity to refocus after a tough situation in Edmonton, adding that he expects Wolf to be ready for a heavy workload if needed.
“(A) back-to-back, coming up with tougher travel, so we’ll have to see how things go here,” Huska said of the 48 hours ahead. “Then we’ll be able to make the call as to who’s going to play for us (Saturday) in Colorado.”
Huska also pointed to confidence in Wolf’s development and readiness. “He’s a terrific young goaltender, and having this time while Devin was on the heater gives him an opportunity to kind of refocus and settle himself again,” Huska said. “He’s going to get a chance to go now and we’re expecting him to be our best player.”
Calgary’s lineup news also includes the return of veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau to the ice in a limited capacity. Huska said Huberdeau took part in his second team skate inside a week while wearing a yellow non-contact sweater.
According to the team, Huberdeau has not dressed for a game since Feb. 4 and has been recovering from hip surgery for the past eight months. Huska did not outline a timeline for when Huberdeau might be available for selection, but said seeing him back on the ice has been meaningful for the group.
“He’s here every day, and he’s typically the first guy here now, and he’s always one of the last guys to leave,” Huska said. “It’s nice for the players to be able to see him again on the ice with them. That’s one thing that I would say. And maybe more so because the players want to see him back, happy and healthy and feeling good again.”
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