Flames 17-8-2, 36 points, 3rd in Pacific, 4th West, 7th league
Sharks 13-10-4, 30 points, 5th in Pacific, 9th West, 14th league
These two clubs met just over a week ago in San Jose, where the Flames managed to score yet another 3rd period goal to go ahead 1-0, and then finished off a brilliant Ramo shutout performance with an empty netter to seal the deal. Since then, the Sharks have just been winning, going 3-0 with a couple of come from behind wins. They seem to have more confidence at the moment, especially with their offense after a 7-4 win over the normally stingy Bruins. Hold on a second, don't think that the Sharks were that dominant because I saw at least 4, maybe 5, incredibly flukey goals or goals due to poor goaltending. It was an awful game for Boston both defensively and in terms of goaltending, and the Sharks got every bounce you can imagine. The score fails to mention they were down 2-0 after the 1st period after their own awful defensive breakdowns, mostly due to some self-admitted awful play from Justin Braun. But the Sharks clawed back in that game with a stronger 2nd period where the shot count was 11-0 by the 10 minute mark leading to 2 goals. It was the first shot on goal by the Bruins in the 2nd that scored however, and the lead went back and forth for the rest of the 2nd resulting in a 4-4 tie going into the 3rd. Then the Sharks got 3 in the 3rd, the first on a screened tipped shot that Rask didn't even move on, the other 2 were of the stinky variety as Rask had one of his worst games in a long time. Sure the Sharks out shot the Bruins 44-24, but it should be noted that their lethal power play had 13 shots on 5 opportunities, including 4 in a row all happening in the 2nd where they had 24 shots. It was a sloppy game where neither goaltender had a Sv% above .850.
Despite that sloppy game the Sharks have managed 3 wins in a row over the Bruins, Flyers, and Ducks, so they should not be taken lightly at the moment. The charge has been led by Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels, who have 5 and 7 points respectively in their past 3 games. That's right, Wingels has 7 points in his last 3 games including a 4 point night against Anaheim. I know, I was shocked too. Watch out for those two, they are red hot. The whole team is playing better offensively, scoring 15 goals in their last 3 and playing to the team's strength. The PP is still very effective and ranked 3rd operating at 24.7%. Thank god the Flames don't take a lot of penalties. The recent surge in offensive production counters a 9 game stretch where they struggled to score more than 2 goals a game. As good as the offense has been, the defense has been mediocre at best, giving up 4 goals to both Boston and Anaheim with sub .900 Sv% from Niemi. There has been a lot of "good game/bad game" from Niemi this year, as he already has 9 games where his Sv% is well below .900, never a recipe for a successful team. The Sharks give up their share of shots at over 30 per game, but their PK is solid, ranked in the top half of the league. This is a team that has struggled 5 on 5 all year at a 0.92 ratio, ranked 21st.
This plays to the Flames' strength. 5 on 5 play has been their bread and butter this year with a very strong 1.15 ratio, ranked 9th. As good as the Sharks PP is, the Flames are no slouch with the 7th ranked attack working at 22%. These two stats are a big reason why the Flames have the 5th best offense in the entire league. Who would have thought that to start the year? The Flames one sore spots, the penalty kill, has even improved of late resulting in a 5 spot rise in the rankings.
That kill will get a boost tonight as Matt Stajan makes his confirmed return to the lineup. He's had some time to get his game legs, but the way this team is working he might stick out like a sore thumb at first. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get no more than 4th line duties to start. Gaudreau continues his hot streak with 5 points in his last 3 games, and Monahan has a 5 game point streak including the game winning OT goal last game. It's these young players that have helped the Flames win 4 in a row and 8 of the last 10. Despite not playing one of their strongest games against Colorado, the Flames found a way to win yet again. They will need to play a stronger game against a Sharks team that is heating up, but chances are that Hartley will have them ready to go.
Seeing that John Scott is likely to play for the Sharks, so it could be a game McGrattan draws in instead of Bollig.
If you see a guy to the left of ramo in the fifth row with a giant look of relief on his face, that's me. Writing the Lsats, hitting Stephen ave, the game time baby! LETS GO FLAMES!!!
Huge 4 point game against the 9th place team. A chance to be in the playoffs by 8 points! C'mon Flames, show me some killer instinct. Also, the Flames need to keep these points away from the Sharks as they are scheduled to get 4 free Oiler points this week.
I named my hamster Tommy Wingels.
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Mister Yamoto For This Useful Post:
Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
McGrattan, Raymond and Baertschi sporting green this morning. I'd expect those are the scratches. Raymond still on IR. #Flames
Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
Lines very likely to be what we were treated to yesterday, with Stajan returning to slot between Bouma and Bollig. #Flames
The Following User Says Thank You to sureLoss For This Useful Post:
Ya, I am happy to see Stajan back in and maybe a good thing for Sven to watch a game. I don't think it hurts us having him out of the lineup.
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"You're worried about the team not having enough heart. I'm worried about the team not having enough brains." HFOil fan, August 12th, 2020. E=NG
Flames vs. Sharks, 8 pm, CBC
