Calgary must beat last-place San Jose to have any playoff hopes
So much for even taking a swing at a perfect ten.
After Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Calgary Flames (32-26-15, 79 points), now six points out of a playoff spot, must hope a nine-game winning streak to finish the season can somehow be enough to earn them a playoff spot.
In theory, Saturday’s afternoon home clash with the San Jose Sharks would at least be the tonic to start of a winning streak for a near-impossible run to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The woebegone Sharks (19-38-15, 53 points) are at the bottom of the league standings, winless in eight games and boasting one measly victory in their last 14 outings (1-9-4). They arrive after a 7-2 thrashing at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
However, we are talking about the under-achieving Flames, who have a substandard 16-15-4 home record and wasted far too many games against bottom-feeding clubs this season.
That said, the Flames have fared perfectly against the Sharks this season. Calgary claimed both halves of a two-game set in San Jose in December, winning by scores of 5-2 and 7-3.
Whether it has any meaning remains to be seen, but the Flames play host to the Sharks on April 12 to finish the regular season.
Here are three keys to watch when the puck drops:
Catch the start: Calgary has shown on a regular basis the capability of surrendering early goals and scoring them. Not only have the Flames fallen behind to start three of their last four games — all losses — but they actually trailed 2-0 in those three outings. Their win in that stretch, a 5-1 game in Anaheim, was kicked off by Nick Ritchie’s first-minute goal.
Veterans under the microscope: Usually at this time of the year, teams outside a playoff spot are integrating young players or even signing skaters out of college. Right now, though, much of the spotlight is on Calgary’s two biggest off-season acquisitions: Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau. Kadri broke a 16-game goal drought last outing amidst all kinds of speculation he and coach Darryl Sutter are at odds, especially while Kadri’s ice time took a dive. Huberdeau saw the ice for only 14 seconds in the final 2:25 of the Vegas game. That said, Huberdeau was coming off a 58-second shift that ended with 2:43 remaining in the clash. , He is actually on a three-game point streak and collected two goals and seven points over the last seven outings.
Erik the Great: San Jose’s positive story this season — which could be joined in that category if the Sharks win the draft lottery and select Connor Bedard — is the play of defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson has an opportunity to reach 100 points and possibly claim the Norris Trophy. He has collected 22 goals and 88 points, both career highs, in 72 games. The last defenseman to net 100 points was Brian Leetch in 1991-92. The list of century-mark blueliners consists of Bobby Orr (six times), Paul Coffey (five times), Al MacInnis (once), Denis Potvin (once) and Leetch.
QUICK HITS: Center Mikael Backlund, who needs four points to equal a career-best of 53 on the season, is slated to play his 900th game … The Flames boast an 11-6-3 record against Pacific Division rivals. By comparison, the Sharks have a 3-10-8 mark in divisional games … Calgary is scheduled to wear the black Blasty alternate sweaters for the game, but it would be understandable if the Flames opted for different silks. Their record while wearing them is 3-7-1 with a five-game losing skid … The Flames have reportedly met with 2021 first-round pick Matt Coronato, with his sophomore season ending on Friday, but have given him time to decompress before making a decision to sign.
