Zary has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Flames as the 22-year-old 2020 first-round pick (24th overall) has three goals, eight points, and 14 SOG in nine games but will miss Wednesday as he deals with a minor undisclosed injury. The young center will be replaced by Adam Ruzicka but is not expected to be out of the Flames' lineup for long.
Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom will rest on Monday after starting the Flames' last three games, allowing Vladar to emerge as the starter against the Seattle Kraken. Vladar was terrific last season, often outperforming Markstrom, but has had trouble regaining that confidence this season. As a result of his inconsistent play, Vladar has been limited to four games this season (2-1-1), posting an ugly 3.92 GAA and .858 SV%. The Flames last played the Kraken on November 4th, a 6-3 win where Vladar saved 17 of 20 shots (.850 SV%).
Mantha is expected to return to the lineup after last playing on November 8th, when he scored two goals, playing 12:58 against the Florida Panthers. In 10 games this season, Mantha has been held without a point in eight, totalling four points (2G / 2A). In addition to his lack of production, Mantha is averaging only 12:43 time-on-ice per game, nearly two minutes less than last season, his lowest total since his rookie campaign with the Detroit Red Wings in 2015-16.
Hanley will enter the lineup on Tuesday for Thomas Harley who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. In his only game this season, Hanley recorded zero points and zero shots while playing 8:20 time-on-ice.
Wolf will return to the Calgary Wranglers of the WHL as Jacob Markstrom (upper-body) is set to return from injury. Wolf allowed one goal on 38 shots (.895 SV%) in his only game-action with the Flames, a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Before being called up, Wolf posted an impressive 2.34 GAA and .924 SV% in six games (5-1-0) with the Calgary Wranglers.
With Jacob Markstrom out of the lineup, Vladar will start for the fourth time this season. There was some speculation that Dustin Wolf, recalled from the AHL on Thursday, would get the start but the Flames will turn to the more experienced Vladar for the time being. In three games this season (2-1-0), Vladar has a 4.00 GAA and .844 SV%. The Flames are +135 road underdogs on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season against the Maple Leafs, Vladar allowed five goals on 34 shots in a 5-4 overtime loss.
Mantha scored two goals in the Capitals' previous game vs. Florida but was forced to leave after 12:58 TOI due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve Friday. The 29-year-old right-winger has started off slow yet again in 2023-24, with his three goals, one assist, 12 SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 10 games played.
Frost was a healthy scratch for the Flyers' loss to San Jose Tuesday but is expected to draw back into the lineup Friday vs. Anaheim after taking line rushes with Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny Thursday. The 24-year-old centre led the Flyers in even-strength points in 2022-23 but has yet to get a point through six games in 2023-24 and has only eight SOG and a +1 plus/minus.
Highly touted goaltending prospect Dustin Wolf has been recalled by the struggling Calgary Flames after posting an impressive 2.34 GAA and .924 SV% in six games (5-1-0) with the Calgary Wranglers. The Flames seem intent on carrying three goaltenders for the time being, but Wolf will likely see game action at some point and be given the opportunity to showcase his talents.
Mantha is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring two goals but exiting in the third period after suffering an upper-body injury. He will miss at least the next two games and could be replaced by Michael Sgarbossa, who was recalled by the Capitals earlier in the week.
Frost has been in and out of the lineup all season as a healthy scratch and will once again watch the game from the press box as Sean Couturier returns from a lower-body injury. Through six games, Frost has zero points, eight shots, and six hits while averaging 15:37 time-on-ice.
Hanley is expected to dress as the Stars' seventh defenseman as he anticipates to make his season debut on Monday against the Boston Bruins. Hanley has become a reliable depth defenseman when called upon by the Stars, playing 129 games over the past five seasons, scoring 18 points (2G / 16A), 125 blocks, and 143 hits.
Tinordi played in five straight games but will come out of the lineup for Sunday's game vs. New Jersey. Alex Vlasic (concussion) will return to the lineup to replace the veteran blueliner.
