DeSimone has four assists and a +4 plus/minus in six games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) and has been recalled to the Flames Friday for the first time this season. The 28-year-old returns to the NHL, where he failed to pick up a point in a short four game appearance in 2022-23 where he averaged only 11:15 TOI. DeSimone will replace Jordan Oesterle on the Flames who was waived on Thursday afternoon.
After allowing five goals on 42 shots in a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Canadiens season-opener, Allen has settled into an impressive run, winning three straight games and posting a 2.63 GAA and .930 SV% on the season (3-0-1). Allen and the Canadiens are +113 road underdogs against the Arizona Coyotes, who are averaging 4.5 goals per game over their last four outings (1-2-1).
Markstrom has been one of the few bright spots on a horrid start to the season for the Flames as he will suit up between the pipes for his eighth start. Despite a respectable 2.88 GAA and .901 SV% for Markstrom in seven games (1-5-1), the Flames rank fifth worst defensively, averaging 3.67 goals allowed per game. The Flames' complete inability to score (2.11 GF / GP) has culminated in a very frustrating start for a team that had high hopes of returning to the playoffs before the season started. The Flames will be welcoming a Dallas Stars team that is very stingy defensively (2.43 GA / GP) and is off to an impressive 5-1-1 start.
Markstrom has been one of the few bright spots on a horrid start to the season for the Flames as he will suit up between the pipes for his eighth start. Despite a respectable 2.88 GAA and .901 SV% for Markstrom in seven games (1-5-1), the Flames rank fifth worst defensively, averaging 3.67 goals allowed per game. The Flames' complete inability to score (2.11 GF / GP) has culminated in a very frustrating start for a team that had high hopes of returning to the playoffs before the season started. The Flames will be welcoming a Dallas Stars team that is very stingy defensively (2.43 GA / GP) and is off to an impressive 5-1-1 start.
The Flamers uncontested number-one goaltender unsurprisingly gets the nod for the Heritage Classic on Sunday night. Markstrom leads the league in losses with four thanks in large part to a lack of goal support. The 33-year-old Swede allowed just two goals on 34 shots in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Blues. He owns a respectable .906 SV% and a 2.67 GAA on the season. The job won't get any easier for Markstrom on Sunday as he'll take on a rejuvenated Oilers team in the outdoor classic with Connor McDavid likely to return.
Hischier was hit in the head by Connor Clifton of the Buffalo Sabres on Friday before exiting the game with only 11:11 time-on-ice. Clifton was issued a match penalty on the play. Hischier, whose status beyond Sunday is still unknown, has been off to a slow start this season, tallying only two points (0G / 2A) through seven games.
Allen stopped 36 of 37 shots in the Canadiens' win in Buffalo on Monday. After giving up five goals in Toronto on opening night, Allen has won two straight while stopping 67 of 70 shots (.957 SV%). Tonight, he'll take on a Jets team that is riding a three-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 11-to-5.
Markstrom dropped his fourth straight contest in his previous start vs. the NYR after allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) but will start Thursday against St. Louis. The 33-year-old is disappointing yet again as he is producing a SV% below .900 for a second-straight season with his 1-3-1 record, .897 SV% and 2.80 GAA. He hosts the St. Louis Blues, who have lost three of their last five games and are struggling mightily offensively as they rank last in the NHL in shots per game (23.2) and goals per game (2.0).
Pesce has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury and will now likely miss anywhere from 2-4 weeks after he underwent surgery Tuesday. His presence will be missed by a Hurricanes team that has struggled defensively to start the season, allowing an average of 4.71 goals per game. Pesce, whose minutes have been replaced primarily by Jalen Chatfield, has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
Markstrom will look to end his three-game losing streak (0-2-1) as he prepares himself as the starting goalie against the New York Rangers on Tuesday. He has served as the backup to Dan Vladar in two of the Flames' last three games but even with a losing record (1-2-1), Markstrom has played reasonably well this season with a 2.75 GAA and .905 SV%. The Flames are +112 home underdogs tonight.
Pesce did not play on Saturday due to a lower-body injruuy and will remain out for Tuesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning after not traveling with the team. After registering a career-best 30 points (5G / 25A) in 82 games in the 2022-23 season, Pesce has had a nice start to 2023-24 with two points (1G / 1A) in five games. Jalen Chatfield will likely remain in the lineup until Pesce can return.
Haula missed the Devils' previous game with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup Tuesday as they take on Montreal. The 32-year-old was having a great start to 2023-24, with two goals, an assist, nine SOG, four PIMs, and a +1 plus/minus in three games played. He is expected to return to his third-line centre role as he renters the Devils' lineup.
Hischier left the Devils' previous game vs. the New York Islanders early in the third period after just 13:20 TOI due to an upper-body injury but will return to the Devils' lineup Tuesday vs. Montreal. The 24-year-old star has surprisingly failed to pick up a point in any of his four games played in 2023-24, but he has seven SOG, two PIMs, and a +1 plus/minus. He will return to the Devils' second line and first powerplay unit.
Pesce did not play on Saturday and his status remains up in the air for Tuesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After registering a career-best 30 points (5G / 25A) in 82 games in the 2022-23 season, Pesce has had a nice start to 2023-24 with two points (1G / 1A) in five games. Jalen Chatfield will likely remain in the lineup until Pesce can return.
Allen will get his third start of the season on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. After a poor showing in his first outing, allowing five goals on 42 shots in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Allen bounced back with a solid 31-save performance to help defeat the Washington Capital by a score of 3-2. The Canadiens are off to a better-than-expected 2-1-1 start but are +156 road underdogs against a Sabres team that is averaging a lowly 2.40 goals per game this season (2-3-0).
Hischier left the Devils' game early on Friday after suffering an upper-body injury but was back at practice as a full participant on Monday morning. This is a good indication that Hischier won't miss any more time and will slide back into his usual spot on the second line. He has zero points, seven shots, and four hits in four games this season.
