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Johnson earns second straight start for Flames, after Elliott struggles

Calgary Flames v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 15: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks is stopped by goaltender Chad Johnson #31 of the Calgary Flames during the second period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on October 15, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images)

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Glen Gulutzan knows a goaltending controversy when he sees one. The Flames’ new head coach was an assistant in Vancouver when John Tortorella started Eddie Lack over Roberto Luongo in the 2014 Heritage Classic. It was the “last straw” for Luongo, and a couple of days later came the trade to Florida.

So for Gulutzan, what’s happening in Calgary right now is far from a “goalie controversy.”

But at the very least, let’s call it an interesting development. Because Chad Johnson confirmed to reporters today that he’ll get the start Tuesday when the winless Flames host the Sabres. Brian Elliott started the first two games of the season and got shelled by the Oilers, allowing 10 goals on 55 shots (.818). Johnson then started Saturday night in Vancouver and was solid in a 2-1 shootout loss.

Both Elliott and Johnson are new to the Flames, and both of them are pending unrestricted free agents. So expect the Flames’ goaltending story to be front and center all season long, or at least until the situation stabilizes. Elliott was supposed to be the consistent starter they’ve so badly needed in Calgary; he wanted to be the “backbone of the team.” It’s still very early, but it hasn’t started out that way.

Related: Elliott gets off to tough start with Flames