Preview: Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks 2/10/20 (57/82): A Better Performance Is Needed By The Flames

Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks, 8:30 PM MT, SAP Center At San Jose, San Jose CA

TV: SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 28-22-6 (62 pts) – San Jose Sharks 24-27-4 (52 Points)

NHL Standings

The Flames will try and extended their winning streak to two games as they visit the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. Calgary is coming off a solid 6-2 over Vancouver Saturday night in a game where the Flames were clicking on all cylinders and they scored at will. David Rittich had a light work load, which was good seeing he has struggled recently. The road might be a good place for Rittich as his numbers at the Saddledome aren’t good. The Flames top keeper has dropped six in a row at home, while he’s won eight out of his last 10 on the road. The big question is: are the Flames the team that handily beat Vancouver or…..

…..The team that lost to a bad San Jose team 3-1 back on February 4th. Since that victory the Sharks have won again, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 6-3. As minor as that may sound, it’s a step in the right direction as prior to that they had lost five out of eight. San Jose is long past the days of thinking about the playoffs and that makes them dangerous. With no spring hockey in sight San Jose can play the role of spoiler from here on out as they have nothing but pride to play for.

Trips to San Jose haven’t been good to the Flames recently, as they have dropped seven out of their last 10 visits to the Shark Tank. The Last time the Flames were above .500 in San Jose was when they went 3-0-0 in 2015. Since then Calgary hasn’t won more than one game when stopping at the Sharks home rink.

Starting Goalies

Flames: Rittich (Expected) 21-14-5, 2.86 GAA, .909 SV%

Sharks: Dell (Expected) 11-10-2, 2.75 GAA, .913 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames – Goals: Lindholm (22), Points: Tkachuk (44), PIM: Tkachuk (61), Save%: Talbot (.919)

Sharks – Goals: Kane (21), Points: Karlsson (38), PIM: Kane (102), Save%: Dell (.913)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

San Jose Sharks Coverage: Fear The Fin

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 6 – Vancouver Canucks 2

San Jose Sharks 3 – Edmonton Oilers 6

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk (F): 4 points in last 5 games

San Jose Sharks

Brent Burns (D): 4 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson