Calgary Flames’ Elias Lindholm & MacKenzie Weegar will not play vs Canadiens

The Calgary Flames will be without forward Elias Lindholm and MacKenzie Weegar for Monday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. 

Lindholm is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury. It is unclear how severe in the injury is and we will await further details from General Manager Brad Treliving. The 28-year-old has 23 points (9G, 14A) in 28 games so far this season and has been a crucial part of the Flames’ front end. Swedish veteran Mikael Backlund will move up and be slotted on the top line Monday alongside Jonathan Huberdeau and Tyler Toffoli. Backlund currently has 16 points (5G, 11A) through 28 games. Brett Ritchie will also be slotted into the lineup tonight, playing on a line with Blake Coleman and Trevor Lewis. The 29-year-old was recently a healthy scratch, he has seven points in 22 games. 

Weegar is sidelined with a non-Covid related illness. He missed the team’s morning skate, this will be his first game missed this season. It is also unclear how long he will remain out of the lineup. Weegar joined the Flames organization this past summer alongside Huberdeau in the massive blockbuster trade that sent Flames star forward Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. Through 28 games this season, Weegar has registered just six assists. He is coming off a career year where he recorded 44 points (8G, 36A) in 80 games. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov will fulfill the second paring role alongside Chris Tanev. Zadorov has six points through 28 games. Rookie defenseman Connor Mackey will play his sixth game with the Flames and first since Nov. 12th against the Winnipeg Jets. Mackey has one assist in five NHL games.