Phaneuf's status for Game 6 unclear

Already down one hard-nosed defenceman in these Stanley Cup playoffs, the Calgary Flames are awaiting the status of another heading into Monday's must-win playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hard-hitting blue-liner Dion Phaneuf left midway through the third period of Saturday's Game 5 after a head-on-head collision with Chicago's Troy Brouwer.

The Blackhawks won the game 5-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final.

When asked Sunday about Phaneuf's status for Monday's game at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Flames head coach Mike Keenan replied: "The same thing we tell you about every other injured player. He's day-to-day."

It's another blow to Calgary's defensive corps, which has been playing without veteran shutdown rearguard Robyn Regehr (knee) since April 2. Mark Giordano remains sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury Feb. 19, while Cory Sarich continues to play through a foot injury. 

Phaneuf has three assists so far in the playoffs and is averaging 24:48 minutes per game, tops on the Flames. Should he be unable to play Monday, expect Anders Eriksson back in the lineup. 

Flames captain Jarome Iginla said he's confident the team's depth and ability to overcome adversity will help them in Game 6 should Phaneuf be unable to lace up the skates.

"A big part of our team all year has been that we have the depth, and we do have more depth than in a long time, and now is the time for it," Iginla said. "With some of the injuries, you don't know if the guy's out a day, a week, when you'll get him back, so you just keep pushing forward.

"The year we went to the finals [2004], we had a lot of injuries, and we had a lot of guys come and step up, have some big games. That's what we need now. If guys are out and not feeling as good, we still just have to find a way.

"I hope Dion is back and feeling good. I don't know what his status is, and he's a tough guy to fill in for — he's that good. But at the same time, we do have a lot of D-men who have played. [Eriksson] played great in the first game, and whether he's in for Dion, I don't know, but it's part of finding a way as a team."