Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan were once a dynamic duo for the Calgary Flames. Now, following the trade deadline, the two former teammates are forging separate paths toward the ultimate goal.

From 2018 to 2022, Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan were the one-two punch down the middle for the Calgary Flames. 

"We had some good years together," Lindholm recalled after his new team, the Vancouver Canucks, bested Monahan's Winnipeg Jets 5-0 on Saturday night. "We're still good friends and keep in touch, and it was a pleasure."

During the All-Star break, the pair became the first two rental players to move ahead of the trade deadline. When Lindholm was dealt to the Canucks on Jan. 31 and Monahan to the Jets on Feb. 2, each drew a return package that included a first-round draft pick.

From the beginning, their NHL careers have followed similar paths. Lindholm was selected fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2013 NHL draft. Monahan went to Calgary one spot later. 

Now, they're even wearing the same number, 23.

"Mostly, it was for my son — he was born in '23," Lindholm said. "But yeah, I was obviously thinking about (Monahan) as well."

Lindholm made the switch because his old number, 28, has essentially been taken out of circulation by the Canucks since the death of defenseman Luc Bourdon in 2008.

With both the Canucks and the Jets looking like they have the potential to be true playoff contenders this spring, their respective management groups both decided that improved depth at center would give their squads the best opportunity to succeed. 

In Winnipeg, Monahan made an immediate impact. In 15 games with the Jets, he has eight goals and 10 points and won 55.1 percent of his faceoffs while averaging 17:24 of ice time per night.

Most importantly, the Jets are 10-6-0 since Monahan was acquired, and are keeping pace with Dallas and Colorado in the tough Central Division. 

Rick Bowness was highly critical of his team after Saturday's game, but the Jets were on the second half of a back-to-back, and have been dealing with illness in their dressing room for the last week or so. 

For Vancouver, Lindholm's impact has been more muted offensively. He has seven points in 17 games. But he's averaging 18:02 of ice time, is an impressive 60 percent in the circle and is currently being used as the Canucks' third-line pivot, between Conor Garland and Vasily Podkolzin. 

Vancouver went through its worst slump of the year not long after Lindholm's arrival but has since righted the ship. Saturday marked the team's fourth-straight win and one of their most dominant efforts of the year. They're now 9-6-2 since the trade, and Lindholm believes that he has more to give.

"I'm still trying to get my game going," he said. "But as long as we're winning, we're good."

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet underscored Lindholm's contributions that don't necessarily show up on the scoresheet.

"I think Lindy's game has been really good for me the last three, four games," he said. "For me, subtly, smart plays. Good defensively. The last game, he won four draws in the last three minutes of the game, a tight game against Vegas. Tonight, he won a couple of draws for me. These are big plays that go a long way."

While the Canucks didn't make any further roster additions before the trade deadline, the Jets picked up two players from the New Jersey Devils — defenseman Colin Miller and another former Flame, Tyler Toffoli. 

"That'll be good for them. He's a good player," Lindholm said. "Obviously I played with him a ton last year. He knows how to score goals and he will help that team for sure."

Toffoli and Miller will join their new squad for the first time when the Jets return to Winnipeg ahead of a three-game homestand that kicks off Monday against the Washington Capitals.

After a very busy month of February, the Canucks are taking two full days off. They'll get back on the ice on Tuesday as they continue a nine-game homestand which will take them through to the end of March.

With all the similarities between the Canucks and Jets this season, it seems fitting that they'll wrap up their deadlocked season series on the last day of the regular season — a perfect way to get set for the intensity of the playoffs ahead. 

"They're a good team," Lindholm said. "They stole the two points a couple weeks ago and we wanted to play a better game tonight."

Mission accomplished.