Calgary Flames Daily: Good news, Mike Smith is just day-to-day

After somewhat of a scare, Calgary Flames netminder Mike Smith had his MRI results come back positive. He’s now listed as day-to-day.

It’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster of emotions for Calgary Flames fans. First, Mike Smith stretched awkwardly while trying to make a save and had to be helped off the ice with 1.1 seconds left in the game on Sunday. Then, it was “It doesn’t look serious”. But then Jon Gillies was recalled. And THEN Troy Brouwer was put on IR instead of Mike Smith. It’s been a long 24 hours.

But with Brouwer going on IR instead of Smith to make room for Gillies, we were hoping that meant good news for Smith. After having an MRI done yesterday, the Flames have said that the results came back positive and he won’t play in the games vs. the Boston Bruins or the Nashville Predators, but we’ll see after that. He’s now classified as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but Glen Gulutzan said it isn’t his groin.

Facing the Bruins and the Predators the next two games will be a challenge, as the Flames, Bruins, and Preds are the top three teams with the most points since Dec. 30. The Bruins have had an incredible run the last couple of months and haven’t lost two in a row since Dec. 16. If David Rittich starts tonight and vs. the Preds, it’ll be the first time he starts in two games in a row.

Rittich has been a reliable backup so far this season and has put up great numbers. It’s good to see him finally getting more games and proving he’s worthy of starting more than just back-to-back games. These next two games will be crucial for the young goaltender to see how he can hold up without Smith there.

Related Story: David Rittich deserves more than just back-to-back games

Hockey Tweet(s) of the day

(We have two).

Wow, I didn’t realize that the Arizona Coyotes were my new favourite Twitter account.

Some links surrounding the Flames

Calgary Flames @ Boston Bruins 2/13/18 (57/82): Boston Has Only Won 23 Of Their Last 31 (Matchsticks & Gasoline).

Calgary Flames vs. Boston Bruins: NHL Odds, Prediction (Sports Interaction).

Say what? Flames backup Rittich learning English on the fly (Calgary Sun).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

NHL Trade Deadline 2018: These 5 teams need to be buyers (FanSided).

Could any other NHL teams announce a rebuild like the Rangers? (Sportsnet).

Role models: NHL hopes to increase diversity behind bench, in officiating (CBC Sports).

Next: Flames must band together, prove naysayers wrong

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!