Game #18: Sharks at Flames Game Thread

After a surprising 3-2 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks last Sunday night, the Flames ended their road trip on a sour note, losing the following three games to the Wild, Blues and Avalanche.

Tonight, the Flames face the Sharks for the second time this season, they lost 6-3 back on October 19th. The Sharks, however, have lost five straight games heading into tonight's contest, although they have still earned a point in four of them, falling in extra time. They're also starting their backup goalie tonight who has only played in two games so far this season.

Tonight, the Flames' lineup will get a much-needed boost when Lee Stempniak returns and Ladislav Smid makes his Flames debut. With Giordano out until December, it shouldn't be long before Smid works his way up in the defensive rotation. He's slated to start on the third pairing tonight.

Projected Lines and Pairings:

Galiardi-Stajan-Jones

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler

Baertschi-Monahan-Stempniak

Bouma-Colborne-McGrattan

Brodie-Butler

Wideman-Russell

Smid-Smith

Berra

With Stempniak's return, he is reunited with Baertschi and Monahan on what was a very successful line to start the season, which should help Baertschi out a little as the kid continues to try to prove his worth to Flames coaching staff. Backlund also moves back up the second line and Lance Bouma returns to the lineup.

Sharks:

Hertl-Thornton-Wingels

Marleau-Couture-Kennedy

Nieto-Pavelski-Havlat

Sheppard-Desjardins-Brown

Boyle-Stuart

Vlasic-Braun

Demers-Hannan

Stalock

Brent Burns, Raffi Torres and Adam Burish are hurt for the Sharks.

Go Flames!