Flames: 29-21-3, 61 points, 4th in the Pacific, 8th in the West, 16th in NHL.
Sharks: 28-19-7, 63 points, 2nd in the Pacific, 6th in the West, 14th in NHL.
This is going to be a short and sweet thread today, since I've said all I can possibly say about the Sharks so far this year. The Flames have already won the season series, which is an accomplishment in itself, but a win tonight will vault the Flames back ahead of the Sharks to 2nd in the division, and 7 points clear into a playoff spot. Lose, and they miss a chance to gain space between themselves and the red hot Minnesota Wild (winners of 5 straight), Dallas, and Los Angeles who managed to win a big game on the road after losing the first 3 of their current road trip. All 3 teams are at 56 points and all are struggling except for the Wild, who have seemed to find their game and are now firing on all cylinders. Amazing what a decent goaltender can do for you.
As for tonight, the Sharks are coming off a disappointing 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes. Niemi was not sharp, to put it kindly, but then again, neither was Ward. Both goalies had a sub .875 Sv% in an ugly game for defense and goaltending, but fact remains that the Sharks didn't do enough against an opponent in the bottom of the standings. This after shellacking the Canucks 5-1 the other night. That's the Sharks this year, completely inconsistent all year long. I would give some stats to try and predict their play tonight, but it's pointless with this team. I'd honestly be shocked to see them make the playoffs if they keep going at this rate, winning just once in their last 4 following a 3 game winning streak.
The Flames had an off night against a team that looked playoff ready, especially M.A. Fleury who was exceptional at stymieing a Flames attack that had been getting production from all lines. Defensively, the Flames struggled with the relentlessly aggressive forecheck of the Penguins, indicating a bit of an achilles heel for this team. When the defenders are hemmed in or the forwards don't help with the breakout, they have trouble generating any offense at all, and it led to turnovers that ended up in the back of their net. It's something Hartley and co. should have a game plan ready for in case a team manages to do that to them again in the future, because I'm sure teams are taking notice.
Roster notes: Glencross has been removed from IR and it's been stated that he will be good to go for the game tonight. Wolf was skating as the extra skater in practice yesterday, however, Brandon Bollig was sick and expected to joint the team today and with the illness that has been working through the team it's highly possible that Wolf gets back in the lineup. Not sure if Wolf is 100% or not, but he'll be a gamer if called upon. Still no word on Smid's return, so it could be a pretty serious post-concussion problem.
The Sharks are without M.E. Vlasic as he has been placed on the IR with an "upper body injury" read that as "a cold". They are already without Justin Braun, Tommy Wingels, and Tye McGinn, but Vlasic is the glue to their defense, so look for the Flames to get some uncharacteristic chances offensively.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Glencross-Stajan-Raymond
Byron-Jooris-Colborne
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Diaz-Engelland
Hiller
Sharks
Karlsson-Thornton-Pavelski
Marleau-Couture-Nieto
Hertl-Sheppard-Goodrow
Desjardins-Tierney-Tarasov
Dillon-Burns
Irwin-Tennyson
Hannan-Mueller
Niemi
Go Flames Go!!!