Flames at Sharks Game Thread

The Sharks have won six straight games. The Flames have lost three straight games, and like 100 consecutive road games. I see no way this game doesn't end badly for the visiting team.

The Sharks have managed one of those rare runs of trades where Doug Wilson has managed to get value for aging or sub-par players like Ryane Clowe and Douglas Murray without making his team worse (although adding Torres made them infinitely more douchey), which is pretty much the opposite of what Jay Feaster did this past Wednesday.

Without acquiring any players who can immediately fit into the lineup to help the team out, the Flames were forced to call up Roman Horak ahead of Wednesday night's Battle of Alberta beat down. Horak led the team in shots on goal with five and played almost 15 minutes against Edmonton. He finished on the bad side of things with regard to chances against, as did most Flames players, but he was dangerous at times, and it's nice to see him getting another chance and more minutes with better linemates.

The Flames have also called up defenceman Brett Carson in Mark Giordano's absence. Gio remained in Calgary with his wife, who is expecting their first child. Carson has not had a taste of NHL action since playing two games for the Flames in 2011-12, despite being signed to a one-way contract by the team in 2011, and will be a UFA this summer.

Lines and Pairings:

Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Horak

Hudler-Backlund-Cervenka

McGrattan-Begin-Jackman

Brodie-Wideman

Carson-Butler

Sarich-Babchuk

Kiprusoff

Sharks:

Marleau-Couture-Wingels

Havlat-Thornton-Burns

Galliardi-Pavelski-Sheppard

Desjardins-Gomez-Burish

Irwin-Boyle

Stuart-Vlasic

Braun-Tennyson

Niemi

The Flames don't have to worry about the wrath of Raffi Torres, who scored twice against them when he was with the Coyotes earlier this season, as he won't be playing tonight after being acquired by the team on Wednesday.

Go Flames.