Flames' Hanifin to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin requires season-ending shoulder surgery for an injury he suffered during Saturday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced Monday.

The injury occurred in the opening minutes of play. Hanifin headed straight to the locker room and didn't return.

Hanifin, 24, ranks fourth on the team in ice time per game (20:01) and has contributed four goals and 15 points over 47 outings this season.

The 6-foot-3 rearguard and defense partner Chris Tanev had formed one of the league's strongest pairings this season. Calgary owned a 59.27% share of expected goals for at five-on-five with the duo on the ice, which ranks second among all defense pairings with a minimum of 300 minutes played together, according to Natural Stat Trick.

The Flames have won five of their last seven games to put themselves back in the playoff race with nine contests remaining.