Flames vs. Sharks Preview

Once upon, the Flames scored eight goals against the Oilers, and it was the best. Nobody was sad ever again, because it was impossible to feel sad about anything ever again. Not with the memory of the Flames repeatedly stabbing the carcass of their northern rivals before kicking it into a ditch and lighting it on fire and having a big party.

The Flames have 11 games left this season, and after that, I think I'd still be really happy if they didn't win a single one of them.

Calgary Flames (29-35-7, 6th in the Pacific Division) (Guess who's 7th) (YEAH)

The Flames set a new franchise record Saturday night when they scored four goals over 3:05. It was a glorious time. We will probably never stop talking about it, at least for the rest of the season.

"The Flames suck!"

"Yeah, but they beat the Oilers 8-1."

"They're playing themselves out of a good draft pick!"

"Yeah, but they beat the Oilers 8-1."

"They have no prospects, no elite talent, and there's no hope for them in the future!"

"Well, they weren't the ones who got beat 8-1."

Oh is there a game tonight? Sorry I was busy watching highlights from that time the Flames beat the Oilers 8-1.

Curtis Glencross is coming off a hat trick. Mike Cammalleri remains one of the league’s hottest scorers of the month, with 10 goals and 16 points in his last 11 games. (Great timing Cammy thanks for that.) Mark Giordano has also been on fire, scoring three goals and 15 points over the last 12 games. In short, the team’s veterans have all been doing really, really well.

Also, Mikael Backlund has four goals and nine points in his last seven games, and recent guy-we-all-love Paul Byron has three goals and five points in his last six.

So considering the Flames' current position (fifth worst in the league), they're doing relatively well.

Oh yeah and they beat the Oilers 8-1.

San Jose Sharks (46-18-8, 1st in the Pacific Division)

The Sharks are not the Edmonton Oilers, mostly because they're actually a really good team.

This is the final game the Flames and Sharks will play this season. The Sharks have already won the season series with three victories to the Flames' one, but hey – the Flames beat the Sharks once this season! Anything is possible.

While the Oilers were playing for… … I’m not sure what they were playing for, exactly; the Sharks are still in a tight division race. They have just one point up on the Ducks for the division lead, and the Ducks have a game in hand. A win tonight will clinch a playoff spot for them. They’re also just three points back of the league-leading Blues and Bruins (again, with an extra game played), so the President’s Trophy is in sight.

In short, the Sharks actually have a lot to play for tonight.

They have a 8-1-2 record this month – again, this team is really, really good – and will be looking to avoid a second straight loss after falling to the Capitals 3-2 in overtime Saturday night. (Hey, does anybody remember what the Flames were doing Saturday night??) They’ve won their last four on the road, last falling to the Buffalo Sabres, so hey… there’s always hope.

The Sharks’ top three scorers – Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, and Patrick Marleau – all have over 60 points on the season, and are within the league’s top 25 scorers. Alex Stalock, who has a .931 save percentage over 20 starts this season, gets the start.

Be sure to check our five questions with, as well as head to Fear the Fin for your additional Sharks news and notes before the game tonight, and check back here at M&G to come hang with us for the GameThread.

by Ari Yanover