The Calgary Flames conclude the regular season tonight with one final tune-up game before the playoffs begin.
While game 82 means little for many playoff bound teams, the Flames happen to be playing for more than just sharpness and to gain a little confidence heading into the post-season.
With a win over San Jose, the Flames would ensure they hold off Nashville and finish in the top Wild Card spot. That means they'd avoid Chicago and get the Ducks, although a loss vs Los Angeles coupled with two Edmonton wins (they play Vancouver twice) opens the door for the Battle of Alberta in Round 1. That would be the ideal scenario, of course, but getting an Anaheim team with some injury problems seems preferable to Chicago as well.
The Flames have to find a balance tonight that a) gives them the best chance to win and; b) lessens the chance of injury.
Essentially, you want guys going all out to get two points but at the same time, you don't want guys like Dougie Hamilton, Mark Giordano, Mikael Backlund, etc. getting into every shooting lane and injuring themselves blocking a shot when a playoff spot has already been clinched.
San Jose, while banged up, could still theoretically finish 2nd in the Pacific and get home ice, although it's extremely unlikely, so they won't be mailing this game in either.
With both teams playing for points, and it being the last game before the playoffs, I'd expect the play to be fairly sharp and fluid tonight.
Here are the expected line combinations for the Flames:
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland Kris Versteeg - Sam Bennett - Alex Chiasson Curtis Lazar - Matt Stajan - Troy Brouwer
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton T.J. Brodie - Michael Stone Matt Bartkowski - Deryk Engelland
Brian Elliott
And the expected lines for the Sharks (via dailyfaceoff.com):
Melker Karlsson - Joe Pavelski - Kevin Labanc Joonas Donskoi - Patrick Marleau - Joel Ward Jannik Hansen - Tomas Hertl - Mikkel Boedker Marcus Sorensen - Chris Tierney - Michael Haley
Paul Martin - Brent Burns Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Justin Braun Brendan Dillon - David Schlemko
Martin Jones
A few notes:
1) Burns didn't get on the scoresheet but he had 17 shot attempts last time these two teams met. With Joe Thornton and Logan Couture out, there are fewer weapons for the Flames to worry about. Focus on Burns and limit his shooting opportunities.
2) I think getting a strong start from Elliott tonight is important. A poor showing followed by sitting on it for five days is less than ideal.
3) Monahan needs two points tonight to get to 60 for the third consecutive season. That'd be quite the accomplishment after the way he started the year.
Tonight's game is scheduled for 10:00 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet, NBCS CA+ and NHLN-US.