James Neal out, Sam Bennett game-time decision against Stars

The Flames’ central division road trip comes to an end against the Dallas Stars tonight, and it probably couldn’t come any sooner. The team, already battered and bruised with a recent slew of injuries, is now down winger James Neal for at least the final game of the trip. Sam Bennett, who also picked up an injury this road trip, may also return to the lineup but will be a game-time decision

Neal took a puck to the face late in the game against the Blues, and was seen needing some help from the trainers on his way out. There’s no indication of how severe the injury is, or what the timetable for return could look like. If it’s a jaw injury, that would make him the third Flames regular to go down with such an injury, Michael Frolik and Travis Hamonic being the first two.

The other major piece of news from morning skate is Bennett’s status. Having picked up an undisclosed injury against the Minnesota Wild, Bennett missed the St. Louis game, but likely for maintenance reasons. He might be good to go tonight, but they’ll wait until game time to make that call. If Bennett isn’t good to go, the Flames are planning on running a 11F, 7D setup with Dalton Prout coming in. The projected lines with Bennett included have him on the third line with Kerby Rychel and Derek Ryan.