[GDT] Flames @ Sharks, 8:30 pm, SNW

[Cali Panthers Fan]

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!!!

[cupraisedn89]

Hoping we can start this 2 game road trip off with a W! I think they'll be coming out strong and aggressive tonight to redeem themselves from that Pittsburgh game. Glad to have Glencross back in the line up as well.

On a side note I turn 32 today so let's get a 3-2 win from the boys!
GO FLAMES GO

[Poe969]

I had no idea that Hannan was still in the league. I think the Flames are going to come out PO'ed after last game and dominate the lack luster sharks.

4-1 Flames.

[Itse]

I like those lines. Having Glencross back really helps our offensive depth.

[Puppet Guy]

I googled "grilled shark" and found this nightmare:

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I had no idea that Hannan was still in the league. I think the Flames are going to come out PO'ed after last game and dominate the lack luster sharks.

4-1 Flames.

Hannan was apparently the goat in the last game against the flames. Hope it happens again!

[handgroen]

Even your 'brief' write-ups are killer. now a big part of game day has become hearing what ron swanson thinks of the matchup. well written, absolutely. but more so, i like how insightful the commentary is.

high and tight my friend

NSFW!

[Finger Cookin]

[Poe969]

That's awesome! I think we need to create an I-Scorch!

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by cupraisedn89

Hoping we can start this 2 game road trip off with a W! I think they'll be coming out strong and aggressive tonight to redeem themselves from that Pittsburgh game. Glad to have Glencross back in the line up as well.

On a side note I turn 32 today so let's get a 3-2 win from the boys!
GO FLAMES GO

and game winner by Byron. Might as well go all out on the 32 thing.

and Happy Birthday!!

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by handgroen

Even your 'brief' write-ups are killer. now a big part of game day has become hearing what ron swanson thinks of the matchup. well written, absolutely. but more so, i like how insightful the commentary is.

high and tight my friend

It's like having our own Roger Millions, only with more insight and more mustache!

[landshark]

Without Vlasic (and Braun) the Sharks defense is in big trouble. The flames in general this year have been too quick for the sharks. One bit of good news is that Wingles looks like he's ready to play and was taking rushes with Hertl and Tierney. Sharks have been terrible against bad teams this year, but pretty darned good against the good teams. Also, they have managed to bounce back after really bad games and the last one was pretty bad (5-4- loss to CAR at home). If the sharks can win, it won't be pretty. These teams have played some very entertaining games this year, but I suspect that the Sharks are gonna try to trap their way to a low scoring win tonight. Not terribly optimistic.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

I googled "grilled shark" and found this nightmare:

That one's better than this.

[AcGold]

Not if that old guy was scorch

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

That one's better than this.

I should photoshop my puppet into that photo.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

I should photoshop my puppet into that photo.

Go for it!

[JonDuke]

I hate that the game is so late, when I have to wake up so early.
I probably won't last until the PGT, so here goes:

[sureLoss]

San Jose Sharks @SanJoseSharks
#SJSharks activate forward @TommyWingels from injured reserve. Forward Daniil Tarasov has been placed on injured reserve.

[landshark]

I hope Scorch is revived in California. He's absolutely adorable - not his fault that the team management went braindead when announcing his debut.

[sureLoss]

Wills confirms line combos in OP.