Monday night’s game between the Calgary Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs was Dustin Wolf’s 57th National Hockey League start. For the first time, Wolf did not finish the game.

After allowing five goals on 26 shots – three of those goals on the power play – Wolf was replaced by backup Dan Vladar for the third period against the Leafs. The Flames ended up losing the game by a 6-2 score.

Following the game, Huska was asked about the decision to pull Wolf after two periods after whether it was a “mercy pull” for the rookie netminder.

“I don’t like the word ‘mercy pull,'” said Huska, via Flames TV. “I mean, he’s played really well for us. He’s given us a chance every time he’s been in there. At 5-1, we’ve got a lot of hockey in a short period of time, and he’s going to get a lot of games coming up. So it was just a decision we made to get Vladdy in there and get him ready for his next start.”

Huska was also asked about the impressive season Wolf’s had.

“It’s pretty incredible, actually,” said Huska. “When you look at the body of work that he’s put in all year long, he’s been very, very consistent. And for a young goaltender, that’s something that you have to tip your hat to, because it doesn’t happen all that often, really. So, hey, he’s done a great job, and by no means was this on him tonight in that situation.”

Monday’s game was the first time Wolf has failed to finish a game he started since being pulled after 21:36 on Nov. 26, 2023 in a 7-2 Calgary Wranglers loss to the Abbotsford Canucks. In that outing, Wolf allowed four goals on 12 shots in his second start in as many nights. (His next outing was a 32-save victory over Henderson the following weekend.) He doesn’t have rough games very often.

Wolf has emerged as one of the Calder Trophy front-runners this season, and for good reason. He’s been really, really good for the Flames. In 41 appearances (all of them starts), he’s posted a 22-14-5 record with a 2.62 goals against average, .912 save percentage and three shutouts. Of the 46 NHL goalies this season who have played in 25 games, Wolf is 10th in save percentage and 17th in goals against average. (He’s sixth in even-strength save percentage.)

The Flames are not a great offensive team this season. Wolf has been asked to keep a low-scoring team in a lot of games. And he’s done so, repeatedly. He’s not only the best rookie goalie in the NHL this season (and one of the league’s top freshmen), he’s emerging as one of the league’s top goaltenders, period.