The burning question of the Calgary Flames’ training camp still had no answer at almost the quarter-pole of the NHL season.

A true No. 1 goalie has yet to emerge, but the tandem of Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf has been the strength of a club (8-6-3) that is still finding its feet.

Calgary’s save percentage (.904) ranked ninth in the NHL and 10th in goals-against average (2.94) on Thursday.

“They both fed off each other,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska said Thursday. “I call them 1A and 1A for our team. It’s worked out well for us right now because they’ve both played so well.

“The pressure that one puts on the other with a good performance has been good for our team. They have given our players the feeling that if a mistake is made, these guys will be there for us no matter who it is. on the net, so it’s a very large part of us that is sitting where we are right now.

The goaltending supported a team that was decent at five-on-five, but weak on special teams, faceoffs won and shots allowed.

Colorado, Columbus, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Washington have distributed starts fairly evenly among their goalies at the start of the season.

Calgary has operated a tandem in the purest sense of the word as Vladar and Wolf have alternated games, except for each taking turns in back-to-back starts in early November.

There may be a trend, but Huska says Vladar or Wolf are informed the day before each match which one of them starts. Calgary will host the Nashville Predators on Friday.

“Both guys would love to play every game, no doubt, but we’re really, really proud of both of those goaltenders,” Huska said. “It’s a strength for us because we can play against a guy who is always fresh.

“I know sometimes they want to get into a rhythm, and ultimately, we’ve talked about this before, we’re going to get to that point where someone is going to get a few more starts. We’re going to anticipate that they’re going to continue to do well both play, but I like to have competition, and I like to have a guy that you go to who’s fresh and feels really good about his situation.”

Which man could fill the void left by the Jacob Markstrom trade to the New Jersey Devils was the main storyline to start the season. The Flames don’t need an answer as long as Wolf and Vladar continue to make a difference.

Vladar started with a 3-4-2 record, a 2.65 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, along with Calgary’s only shutout. Wolf’s record was 5-2-1 with a 2.84 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

Wolf went 1-0-1 in his back to back and Vladar 1-1-0 in his. Each goalkeeper also has an assist.

“We’ve both done a really good job so far of limiting, I would say, the weak goals,” Wolf said. “Goals are going to be scored. If we can do our best to keep the score under two, under three, we have a good chance of winning every night.”

Vladar won Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Canucks in Vancouver, but made some spectacular saves among his 29 tired skaters playing their second game in as many nights.

While he’s playing some of the best hockey in his fourth season with the Flames, the 27-year-old Czech’s hip surgery that ended his season last March was a godsend in hindsight.

“I play without pain,” Vladar said. “It helps me focus on my game and getting better every day rather than just maintaining my legs. I’m grateful the coaches called. It’s made me a better hockey player.”

A tandem gives Wolf, 23, his first real chance in the NHL after cleaning up to finish last season.

“At the moment it’s working very well for us,” said the Californian. “I’m just starting to get into the league. It’s my first year and (it) kind of gives me an opportunity.

“We strive for each other to do our best. If you want to give your best, you will probably get another opportunity to play. The relationship has been exceptional so far. If we help the team win matches , we will all be satisfied.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 14, 2024.