Calgary Flames at San Jose Sharks [Game 82]

The Calgary Flames have their spot in the playoffs locked up and apparently have no vested interest in moving up from the second wild card spot to the first. Their roster has been shaken up as a result. Their mission tonight will likely be the same as their opponents in the San Jose Sharks – avoid any and all potential injuries.

For the forwards, Mikael Backlund and Kris Versteeg are out for the Flames tonight. Curtis Lazar will play at centre as he slots in between Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Ferland. Freddie Hamilton is taking Versteeg’s on line three along Sam Bennett and Alex Chiasson.

Rasmus Andersson is in tonight in place of Mark Giordano. He’ll slot in with Deryk Engelland on the third defensive pairing. Matt Bartkowski goes up to the top pair to play with Dougie Hamilton.

Brian Elliott will get the start tonight and will apparently play the entire game. Jon Gillies is backdown and Chad Johnson is back to the bench. Elliott will go up against Aaron Dell for the Sharks.

Let's go Flames! Or don't. Just enjoy this one folks.

by Les Mavus