For the first time in four games, Hunter Brzustewicz finds himself a healthy scratch vs. Washington as Brayden Pachal rejoins Calgary's lineup. Brzustewicz is in his rookie season and has only one assist, 16 SOG and a -2 plus/minus through 16 games played this season.
Pachal has been a healthy scratch for Calgary's last four games but will draw back into their lineup for Hunter Brzustewicz on Friday vs. Washington. Pachal is in his third season with the Flames and is unfortunately on pace to post his lowest point totals since joining the team with three assists and 35 PIMs in 24 games played.
Despite Dustin Wolf occupying the starter's crease earlier during morning skate, Devin Cooley was the first goalie off the ice and will start vs. Washington on Friday. It is the 5th straight time that Cooley and Wolf have swapped starts as a trend seems to be appearing in the Flames' crease. The 28-year-old has earned his extended minutes, posting a ridiculous .922 SV% and 2.18 GAA to go alongside his 6-4-3 record. He will host the Washington Capitals on Friday, who are in the midst of a rare four game losing streak.
Huberdeau was a surprise absence on Wednesday, with the Flames not announcing it until before warmups, but he is expected to play on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old Huberdeau is having a disappointing season, with only 21 points (8G / 13A) in 44 games. He has been held off the scoresheet in 11 of his last 13 games.
Huberdeau was a surprise absence on Wednesday, with the Flames not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Martin Pospisil will make his season debut in his place.
Wolf, once again, finds himself in a stretch where he has been outplayed by counterpart Devin Cooley, but he is coming off a strong outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders, and hopes to build off of that momentum on Wednesday. The win against the Islanders broke a skid of five straight games (0-5-0) where he had allowed at least four goals, posting a .883 SV%. The Flames enter Wednesday's contest as +104 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).
Pospisil suffered an injury late in training camp, which has recently been revealed as a concussion, and has been sidelined since. The 25-year-old Slovak forward is entering his third NHL season after recording career highs in games played (81), points (25), and hits (301). He returns from a two-game stint with the Wrangles, going scoreless, and should make his Flames debut on Wednesday.
Hunt has zero points and a -3 plus/minus in three games with the Flames this season. The 30-year-old forward has 54 points (18G / 36A) in 237 career NHL games, but will return to the Wranglers (AHL), where he has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign.
Pospisil suffered an injury late in training camp and has been sidelined since. The 25-year-old Slovak forward is entering his third NHL season after recording career highs in games played (81), points (25), and hits (301). He returns from a two-game stint with the Wrangles, going scoreless, and should make his Flames debut imminently.
Whitecloud spent the first eight years of his career with the Vegas Golden Knights, but will make his Calgary debut on Monday after a major trade over the weekend, where Rasmus Andersson was the major piece. The 29-year-old Whitecloud played exclusively as a bottom-four defenseman with Vegas. He recorded seven points (2G / 5A), 63 blocks, and 73 hits in 47 games this season.
Minnesota's success earlier this season was largely aided by elite goaltending, which they have struggled to find in recent games. That said, Gustavsson helped his team record a 5-4 victory in their most recent game despite allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%). The 27-year-old Gustavsson has a 2.84 GAA and .880 SV% in his last four games (1-2-1). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games.
Whitecloud spent the first eight years of his career with the Vegas Golden Knights, but will head to the Calgary Flames in a major trade with Rasmus Andersson as the major piece. The 29-year-old Whitecloud played exclusively as a bottom-four defenseman with Vegas. He recorded seven points (2G / 5A), 63 blocks, and 73 hits in 47 games this season.
Cooley has been a bright spot in a mostly disappointing season for the Flames and has been solid in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 61 of 65 combined shots (.938 SV%). The 28-year-old California-born goalie has a 2.29 GAA and .918 SV% in 14 appearances this season (5-4-2). The Flames enter the action on Thursday as +109 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks team that will welcome their leading scorer, Connor Bedard (illness), back into the lineup.
Stromgren recently made his NHL debut, playing three games, but will head to the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 7:17 time-on-ice and is still searching for his first career point.
