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Flames tab Karlsson in net
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  Henrik Karlsson will start in net for the Flames tonight as they take on the Islanders. (QMI Agency/Jim Wells) |
CALGARY - Henrik Karlsson's last start in front of the Calgary Flames faithful at the Saddledome didn't go so well.
But the Flames backup goaltender has been solid in every start since, so head coach Brent Sutter has no hesitation in starting the Calgary Tower Monday night against the New York Islanders to give Miikka Kiprusoff an extended break.
"(Karlsson's) played some darn good games for us since then. He's actually played some exceptional games for us since that outing here," Sutter said when the 6-5 loss to the Colorado Avalanche back on Oct. 28. "I'm not too worried about it. He'll be fine.
"He's done a real good job. He's been sharp in practices. He's gonna have to play some games. We've got a lot of hockey here running through now for quite some time where we play almost every second night.”
Sutter isn't making any other lineup changes with the team on a four-game winning streak.
The skaters playing in front of Karlsson have as much confidence in the big Swede as they do Kiprusoff.
"He's shown that he can win games for us," said Sutter.
"He's played well. He's made big saves for us at key times in games.
"When your backup goaltender can provide the goaltending he’s been giving us, it's a confidence booster for the team."
Tonight's lines:
Tanguay-Jokinen-Iginla
Glencross-Morrison-Bourque
Hagman-Stajan-Kotalik
Kostopoulos-Moss-Jackman
Regehr-Bouwmeester
Giordano-Sarich
Pardy-Babchuk
Karlsson
