JACK OF ALL TRADES

DETROIT - By now, you know what Elias Lindholm means to this group and the versatility he brings on a nightly basis.
But THIS definitely falls into the category of 'Other Duties as Required.'
With Chris Tanev already in the box, MacKenzie Weegar joining him, and some uncertainty about whether or not Nikita Zadorov would be penalized, too, for his involvement in Monday's frantic, first-period fracas, the Flames nearly found themselves down to three defencemen.
Fortunately, they had just the guy ready to step in and bridge the gap.

"I said, 'Lindy, you're going to have to go (on D)' and he said, 'Oh yeah, I'm ready," Darryl Sutter explained following Wednesday's practice in Detroit.
While it's not clear if Lindholm has any experience, ever, on the blueline, Sutter said the Swedes (Lindholm and Mikael Backlund) are the first ones in line for the assignment thanks to their impeccable, 200-foot detail.
Ultimately, Zadorov was not sent to the bin and the Flames carried on with four blueliners until the penalties elapsed. But had he actually been pressed into service, Lindholm would have played his off side on a pairing with Michael Stone.
"If you go back and watch, he went out during the (TV) was doing some backwards (skating)," Sutter said. "He was ready."
No surprise.
It is Lindholm, after all.