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The Flames came into this contest with a chance to grab a playoff spot and they did not disappoint. Calgary got goals from 5 different players and dominated the Sharks on their way to a 5-2 win.
1st Period
The Flames scored the lone goal of the period and it showed a glimpse of what could be an exciting future. Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett put on a passing clinic and Gaudreau took the final pass and deposited his 18th goal of the season to put the Flames up 1-0. San Jose out shot the Flames in the period 12-7, but Brian Elliott was more than up to the task stopping all 12 shots San Jose sent his way. San Jose had the only 2 PP opportunities of the period, but came up empty.
2nd Period
If there was any hangover from the the slug fest with the Kings, the second period put that to rest. Calgary scored three goals in the second stanza and opened the game up in their favor. Sean Monahan scored his 27th of the season by positioning himself on the door step and collecting the loose change to put the Flames up 2-1. Marc-Edourd Vlasic would get the Sharks within 1 with a beauty that beat Brian Elliott glove side at 8:25 of the period. If there was any thought of a collapse by the Flames, Matt Stajan and Alex Chiasson would end that thought in a hurry. Stajan would score his 6th of the season to make it 3-1 and Alex Chiasson would score a gorgeous goal off his back hand at 17:09 to put the Flames up 4-1. The Flames 3 goal outburst chased San Jose goaltender Martin Jones from the game after giving up 4 goal on 22 shots.
3rd Period
Calgary rode Brian Elliott’s outstanding goaltending in the third period to a 5-2 win. The Flames didn’t need much offence in the period as Elliott stopped 17 of the 18 San Jose shots in the period. A little more than halfway through the period Melker Karlsson got the Sharks within 2 goals with his 11th of the season, but the guy between the pipes for Calgary would hold the fort for the rest of the period. As he’s done for most of the second half of the season, Brian Elliott made huge save after huge save to keep the Flames in front. Calgary would add an empty net goal by Sam Bennett at 19:26 to seal the deal.
Final Thoughts
The Flames got their playoff clinching win and will return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2014-15. Calgary spread the wealth and got goals from 5 different players and as usual, got playoff caliber goaltending from Brian Elliott.
Flame of The Game
Sam Bennett. Bennett had one of his best game of the season tonight. He lead the charge that got Johnny Gaudreau the first goal of the game, scored the empty netter to ice it and had 2 shots on goal. Bennett found himself front and center for most of the game and showed the potential the Flames saw when they drafted him.