Matt Coronato will be in the lineup after all as Calgary Flames face off Thursday against the Senators in Ottawa.
Reports from Wednesday’s practice in the Canadian capital had indicated that Coronato could be sitting for the second time in a three-game span, news that sparked frustration in the Flames’ fan-base.
However, the 22-year-old right-winger is poised to play.
Instead, it appears that Connor Zary will be scratched against the Senators. According to those on scene, the 24-year-old was doing extra work after an optional morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre.
Rookie defenceman Zayne Parekh is also expected to watch from the press-box, which could be because of injury.
When asked about potential changes to the lineup that he used in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss in Toronto, head coach Ryan Huska told reporters: “We have one guy that’s a little banged up that won’t be playing and we’ll have another change up front, as well.”
Zary has bounced around the forward lines this fall, most recently skating as centre on the second unit. This will be his first benching of the season.
He is off to a slow start, with just one goal and two points in 11 games so far. He was also guilty of a bad penalty in Toronto, called for interference in the offensive zone after he tripped up Nick Robertson as the Maple Leafs forward tried to hustle to a loose puck.
Penalties have been a major problem for the Flames. They are second in the league in total minutes in the sin-bin (133) and tied for third in minor infractions (45).
Thursday will be a night-off for workhorse goaltender Dustin Wolf, with Devin Cooley between the pipes for the Flames as they seek to improve on a 2-8-1 record.