Flames’ Anthony Mantha leaves game against Canadiens with lower-body injury

An unfortunate sign for one of the Calgary Flames veterans.

In a game between the Flames and Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, forward Anthony Mantha left with a lower-body injury.

Late in the first period, shortly after having a great scoring chance on a breakaway, Mantha received a hit from Canadiens forward Emil Heineman behind the Habs’ net. Mantha lost his balance after receiving the check, and it looked like he awkwardly twisted his right knee as he went down.

Mantha was able to make it back to the bench under his own power but did so slowly.

The 30-year-old registered a shot on goal in 5:06 of ice time across nine shifts before exiting the game.

It was the Flames’ 13th game of the season. Mantha has played in every game so far this season, scoring four goals and three assists for seven points, placing him tied for third on the team in scoring heading into Tuesday night’s action. He was averaging 14:38 of ice time and was plus/minus of +6.

Mantha has had a series of injury problems over the years. Shoulder surgery kept him out of the lineup for four months during the 2021-22 season as a member of the Washington Capitals. The closest Mantha has ever come to playing a full 82-game season was during the 2016-17 campaign when he appeared in 80 games during his first complete campaign with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Longueuil, Quebec native came to Alberta this past offseason after finishing out the 2023-24 season with the Vegas Golden Knights. On July 1, he signed a one-year contract with the Flames with a cap hit of $3.5 million.

In 506 NHL games, Mantha has scored 146 goals and 157 assists for 303 points. He’s also posted six points in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.