Preview: Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks 11/3/2016 (12/82)

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

The Calgary Flames will try to put an end to a 2 game skid as they head to sunny California to take on the San Jose Sharks. Calgary has been on the losing end of their last 2 after they pulled off a 3 game win streak before losing to Washington. This is the first time the Flames and Sharks will tangle this season with 2 points in the Western Conference on the line. The Flames sit 3 points back of the Sharks in a very cluttered West. Last season these two played 5 times with San Jose holding a 3-2 advantage. Calgary and San Jose split at SAP Center last season and that’s a place Calgary hasn’t enjoyed playing lately. In the 90’s the Flames handled the Sharks with ease in San Jose, but it hasn’t been that way in the last decade plus. The Sharks have owned the Flames in their building, amassing a 22-15-2 record when the Flames come to town since 2000.

While Calgary is sputtering in their last two giving up 7 goals and scoring 2, the Sharks have won 3 out of their last 5 and have outscored their opponents 11-9. The Sharks find themselves in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals for and goals against, which is the exact opposite of the Flames. Calgary is top 10 in both categories and you only want to be in the top 10 in one of those. This is also a bad match up for the Flames on special teams. San Jose is killing penalties at a 85.7% clip and the Flames sad sack power play won’t get any help in this contest.

One interesting thing to keep an eye on is who gets the start for the Flames in net tonight. Brian Elliott has started 5 in a row after a rough start to the season. He’s listed as the “expected” starter for the game, but will the Flames give him the night off or let him get back on the horse and get another streak going? Chad Johnson has filled in admirably so far this season when called upon and maybe this is a chance to give Elliott a breather and get Johnson some shots.

Here’s how the teams match-up:

Calgary Flames 1 Chicago Blackhawks 5

Calgary’s losing streak grew to 2 games with a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. While the Flames certainly took this one on the chin, it wasn’t all necessarily bad. Here’s our recap, the highlights, post game and the stats.

San Jose Sharks 2 Arizona Coyotes 3

The Sharks had their 3 game winning streak put to the test in Arizona and came out with a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Coyotes. Our friends over at Fear The Fin have the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

(E=expected)

Players to Watch

Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images

Calgary Flames: Michael Frolik (F). Frolik is now tied for the team lead in goals with 5 after getting #5 against the Blackhawks Tuesday night. Frolik has been a pleasant surprise for the Flames early on as he and line mate Mikael Backlund are truly playing like they are the top line. Frolik has struggled against the Sharks in the 8 years he’s been in the league netting 1 goal and 1 assist.

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

San Jose Sharks: Joe Pavelski (C). Pavelski leads the Sharks in points and goals so far in 2016-17. Pavelski has been almost a point a game player over the last 5 where he’s notched 2 goals and added 2 assists. Last season against the Flames Joe Pavelski had 4 points in the 5 games the 2 teams played.