The Calgary Flames are about to hit the ice against the San Jose Sharks to mark their 7th game since the AllStar break, as they currently hold a 4-2-0 record.
As I previously mentioned, I often set a benchmark of 10 games following said break to try and determine what the odds are of certain teams making the playoffs can be.
Of course, in saying that, these odds are generally meant for those a few spots above a current spot, and a few spots below. I won’t get into more detail on that note for tonight as I plan to have a greater write up on how the Flames fall into this benchmark in…well…three more games.
Tonight will be the last time that Calgary takes to the ice against San Jose and it should be an interesting game given where each team stands in relation to another in the standings. Calgary currently sits in the last wildcard spot in the Western Conference, two points behind the Sharks with a game in hand.
This is some very positive news for those following the team, and of course those who a part of it, and yet coach Bob Hartley still realizes there’s much work left to do before anyone should start celebrating about anything.
"We have nothing to celebrate," Hartley said. "We can be proud of the way we play. We can be happy with where we're at. But there's still way too much hockey to be played to get complacent."
And he’s right. There is still plenty of hockey remaining and plenty of times around them who are playing strong enough hockey to steal their current spot right from under them if they start to get too comfortable. There are certain areas where Calgary needs to improve, and the biggest test tonight will be to improve upon their overall 60 minutes of play.
Of late, Calgary has offered some very good hockey throughout two periods of play, and some tremendous play during the third, but their overall 60 minutes could stand to be a little more consistent. Much of this could be due to the coaching style of Hartley in that he’s defensively minded and the team often comes out a little slow, but this is certainly something that is being communicated to the group as an area of improvement.
Tonight the team will need to come flying out of the gates and get on the board early. The Sharks, while their record has been good, has struggled in games where they chased the lead. Look to the third line for some energy tonight and the 4th to try and shut down the opposition.
Given the size and strength of the Sharks I don’t anticipate a big game from Monahan’s line tonight, but the kid has such talent that he may just surprise.
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