Jacob Markstrom News

Markstrom has missed the Flames previous five games due to a fluke hand injury which occurred in practice but was showing some positive signs of returning after practicing Wednesday with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 33-year-old veteran netminder is expected to return in a "handful of days" according to Salim Valji. He has struggled so far in 2023-24 prior to his injury, with his 6-8-2 record, 2.94 GAA and .896 SV%.

Markstrom will be out week-to-week with a fractured finger, an injury sustained after taking a puck to his hand at practice on Monday. Dustin Wolf has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL in the interim, which could be an opportunity for the promising youngster to get a deeper look at the NHL level as he battles it out for starts with Dan Vladar.

The Flames had a scary moment at practice when Markstrom left the ice with a hand injury, leaving his availability for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild uncertain. Makrstrom has allowed three or more goals in each of his last five games, posting a subpar .874 SV%, but has still salvaged a record of 2-21 during the stretch. If Markstrom is not able to play, expect Dan Vladar to occupy the crease.

Markstrom was not available to play in the Flames' most recent game, a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, due to an illness, but has been cleared to play and will return to the stater's crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom struggled against the Dallas Stars less than a week ago, allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%), but was very strong in the third period, securing a 7-4 victory for the Flames. Recent success against the Stars aside, the Flames are +119 home underdogs as the Stars have been tremendous on the road this season, posting a stellar 8-1-1 record.

Markstrom was a full participant at practice and will likely be available to return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom was the starting goalie for the Flames one week ago against the Stars, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%), in a 7-4 victory.

Markstrom was previously scheduled to start Monday night's game against the Golden Knights but was a late scratch due to an illness. Dan Vladar will get the start in his absence and the Flames signed goaltender Dustin Nickel to an amateur tryout agreement to serve as the backup on Monday.

Markstrom had the night off in favour of Dan Vladar on Saturday but will return to the starter's crease on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Markstrom has a serviceable 2.93 GAA and .901 SV% through 14 games this season (5-7-2) but has allowed four goals (.887 SV%) in each of his last three outings (1-1-1). The Flames are slight -103 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that, after an 11-0-1 start, is 3-5-1 in their last nine and have been shut out in two of their last three outings (1-2-0).

Markstrom will be the starting goalie for the Flames for the front end of their back-to-back on Friday. Markstrom has allowed four goals in consecutive games, both losses. He was also unspectacular against Friday's opponent, the Dallas Stars, on November 1st when he allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 4-3 loss. The Flames are +159 road underdogs against a Stars team that has scored three or more goals in six of their last seven outings (5-1-1).

Markstrom appears to be the starting goalie for the Flames for the front end of their back-to-back on Friday. Markstrom has allowed four goals in consecutive games, both losses. He was also unspectacular against Friday's opponent, the Dallas Stars, on November 1st when he allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 4-3 loss. The Flames are +159 road underdogs against a Stars team that has scored three or more goals in six of their last seven outings (5-1-1).

Despite an up-and-down season for the season for the Flames, Markstrom has quietly improved on a poor 2022-23 campaign. Markstrom has helped the Flames record at least a point in each of his last four starts (3-0-1), saving 99 of 108 shots in the process (.917 SV%). The Flames are slight -109 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that won two straight but lost 4-2 to the Flames on November 7th when Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), leading his team to a 4-2 victory.

Despite an up-and-down season for the season for the Flames, Markstrom has quietly improved on a poor 2022-23 campaign. Markstrom has helped the Flames record at least a point in each of his last four starts (3-0-1), saving 99 of 108 shots in the process (.917 SV%). The Flames are slight -109 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that won two straight but lost 4-2 to the Flames on November 7th when Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), leading his team to a 4-2 victory.

Markstrom will be back in net for the Flames on Saturday in search of his fourth straight victory. He stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced enroute to a 5-2 victory over the red-hot Canucks on Thursday. The 33-year-old netminder is slowly rounding into form. He owns a .906 SV%, a 2.66 GAA, and a 4-6-1 record across 11 appearances. Markstrom and the Flames are slight favourites (-140) to secure a victory over the Islanders on Saturday.

Markstrom was brilliant after returning from a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Markstrom has won consecutive starts for the first time this season and will hope to keep his hot streak rolling after having lost his seven previous outings (0-6-1), posting a .892 SV%. The Flames are -137 home favourites on Thursday and will try to take advantage of a Vancouver Canucks team that, albeit has won seven of their last eight (7-1-0), played an extra frame last night in a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.

Markstrom will return to the Flames crease on Tuesday after being unavailable to dress in the team's previous two games due to an upper-body injury. In his most recent outing, a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), the first time he has recorded a victory when allowing two or fewer goals in a game (1-2-1). The Flames have lost their last two games but are -165 road favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that ranks in the bottom half of the league defensively (3.40 GF / GP).

Markstrom did not dress in the last two games for the Flames as he was out of the lineup with an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return. During his absence, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf each started a game, both losses. Markstrom is 2-6-1 on the season with a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV%.

The Flames have recalled high-pedigree prospect Dustin Wolf as Markstrom tends to an upper-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup. Dan Vladar will start for the Flames on Friday against the Maple Leafs, and it is unclear if Markstrom will be ready for their Saturday matchup against the Ottawa Senators or if the team will turn to Wolf. Markstrom has a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV% through nine games this season (2-6-1).