They’re Out: Gaudreau, Monahan and Bouma Sit Tonight

Last season, the Calgary Flames scratched their best and brightest on April 11. It was the 82nd game of the regular season and the game was fundamentally meaningless, as the Flames had a playoff spot sewn up and were worried about injuries before the post-season began.

Tonight? The Flames have scratched three of their best and brightest again. Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Lance Bouma are officially healthy scratches for tonight’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Aside from last season’s finale, this is the first career healthy scratch for the 21-year-old Monahan. While he missed 7 games due to an injury in his rookie season, he’s played every game that he’s been medically cleared to play since he broke into the NHL as a fresh-faced, mop-headed 18-year-old.

Besides Game 82 last season, Gaudreau was famously parked in the press box at the tail-end of last season’s lengthy opening road trip – an expected precursor to an AHL demotion. But since his October 17 benching in Columbus, he’s been superb (and Calgary’s best, most consistent player).

Due to his role, Bouma’s been more prone to being a healthy scratch over his tenure. But since he’s been an NHL regular (beginning with the 2013-14 season), he’s only sat seven times as a healthy body over the past three seasons (including Game 82 last year).

Guesswork llines, based on practice: