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Goalie nods: Elliott makes rare start for Flames

Buffalo Sabres v Calgary Flames

CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 18: Brian Elliott #1 of the Calgary Flames during warm-ups prior to an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres during an at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 18, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

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Last week, we wrote about Calgary keeping Brian Elliott in the “resetting” phase as Chad Johnson continued to pile up starts in goal.

Now the reset is over.

Elliott will make his first start in three weeks tonight, when the Flames take on the Coyotes in Arizona. Elliott did get some game action in relief of Johnson last week -- stopped 12 of 13 shots in a 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay -- but hasn’t actually started a game since Nov. 28, a 2-1 OT loss to the Islanders.

This nod comes with Johnson having come back to earth recently. After getting the hook against the Isles (four goals on 21 shots), he then allowed four goals on 29 shots in Friday’s loss to the visiting Blue Jackets.

It was assumed Elliott would eventually get another shot at the starting gig in Calgary, and this could be the start of it.

For the Coyotes, Mike Smith is in goal.

Elsewhere...

-- After Juuse Saros started on Saturday, Pekka Rinne is back in goal for the Preds. He’ll be up against Steve Mason, who continues to be a workhorse for the Flyers.

-- Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek continue to alternate starts for Detroit, and tonight it’ll be Howard’s turn as the Wings visit Carolina. Cam Ward starts for the ‘Canes, who welcomed Eddie Lack back into the fold after he’d been sidelined with a concussion.

-- Frederik Andersen will face his former team, the Ducks, for the first time tonight as Anaheim takes on Toronto. Andersen will go up John Gibson.

-- Jake Allen hasn’t played well lately, and was hooked on the weekend against Nashville. As such, Carter Hutton gets a crack with a start against the visiting Oilers. Edmonton will go with Cam Talbot, who stopped 31 of 33 shots against Tampa Bay on Saturday.