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The Rise of Oliver Kylington: Flames-Blue Jackets Game Day |
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A lot of Flames news to get to today prior to tonight's faceoff with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before we get that, who remembers this?
It’s probably fine. Let’s just pretend that Andersson’s hit won’t be a storyline. The less attention we give it; the less likely it is that we’ll need to address it.
Calgary Flames (21-21-5, 47 pts) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (14-23-9, 37 pts)
Last Ten: Calgary (5-5-0) Columbus (3-5-2)
Time: 7:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
TV: Sportsnet One, Sportsnet West, ESPN+
A few notes, thoughts, and observations.
Kylington is Back
It’s been 20 months since his last NHL game on May 26th, 2022. Oliver Kylington will return to the lineup following a harrowing battle to attend to his mental health. There isn’t much to do but smile about it.
Oliver can hopefully plant himself down in his old stall next to Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk and enjoy the sport like old times.
For fun, here is what the Flames lineup looked like when Oliver last played a game for the Calgary Flames:
Last Time Oliver Played - Lineup
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Dube-Jarnkrok-Toffoli
Lucic-Lewis-Ritchie
Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Tanev
Zadorov-Gudbranson
Mackey-Stone
Markstrom
Vladar
Farewell Sweet Ruzicka
Speaking of times changing, Adam Ruzicka is off to Arizona after being claimed off waivers this morning. Three goals and six assists over 39 appearances isn’t enough to hold down a permanent roster spot.
The tough pill to swallow there is that Adam recorded four points in his first seven games. Ruzicka appeared to be ready for a breakout season before a questionable hit thrown by New York Rangers winger Jimmy Vesey on Oct. 24 served as a turning point for the 6-foot-4, 215-pound center.
Ruzicka took only four games off before returning on Nov. 9. Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil had stormed into the lineup and seized spots in the top six in the two games prior to the 24-year-old's return. His production slowed to a mere goal and four assists in the following 32 games. It’s not unreasonable to infer that Adam rushed back into action a little too early.
Points Per Game: Adam Ruzicka in 2023-2024
Oct. 11 to Oct. 24: 0.57
Nov. 7 to Jan. 24: 0.15
Jersey Nick
Defenceman Nick DeSimone was also plucked off waivers today. This time it was the New Jersey Devils adding a player to their lineup. Lindy Ruff’s crew lost Dougie Hamilton to a season-ending injury earlier in the season, and fellow defenceman Cal Foote took a leave of absence earlier in the week.
DeSimone recorded eight goals and 46 points in 65 games for the Wranglers in 2022-2023. The 6-foot-2 defender recorded a goal and four assists in 23 games with the Flames this season.
Tough Days in Columbus
The Blue Jackets come into tonight’s game, having lost five of their last six. In other words, bet the farm on Columbus. The Flames have the hardest time winning what should be easy games.
Calgary Flames Projected Lineup
Courtesy of Pat Steinberg. @Fan960Steinberg
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Sharangovich
Zary-Kadri-Coronato
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Greer-Schwindt-Klapka
Weegar-Andersson
Hanifin-Tanev
Kylington-Oesterle
Markstrom
Vladar
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
Gaudreau-Sillinger-Chinakhov
Fantilli-Jenner-Roslovic
Johnson-Voronkov-Marchenko
Texier-Kuraly-Danforth
Severson-Boqvist
Provorov-Peeke
Bean-Gudbranson
Merzlikins
Tarasov
Puck drops at 7:12 p.m. MST.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Editor's note:
A quick spot on Tij Iginla. I took in his Jan. 19 third period hat trick against Sam Honzek and the Vancouver Giants earlier today. Tij has a very unique attacking style of game.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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