The San Jose Sharks are riding a wave of success as they prepare to face the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. The Sharks, with a record of 8-6-3, have won four consecutive games for the first time since the 2021-22 season and are looking for their first five-game winning streak since November 2019. Their recent success has propelled them into an early playoff position.
San Jose is coming off a 2-1 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks trailed 1-0 midway through the third period before Will Smith's goal tied the game, and Collin Graf sealed the win with an overtime goal. Macklin Celebrini contributed with two assists, bringing his total to eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last four games. Celebrini leads the Sharks with 10 goals and 16 assists this season. Will Smith has also been a key contributor, with five goals and four assists in his last 10 games. As a team, the Sharks have been averaging 3.3 goals and allowing 2.1 goals per game in their last 10 contests.
In contrast, the Calgary Flames are struggling, sitting at the bottom of the league standings. Calgary has lost three straight games, with their most recent defeat being a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Flames' offense has been a major issue, ranking near the bottom of the NHL in goals scored. They have only managed to score more than four goals in two games this season. The team's struggles have led to frustration within the locker room, with defenseman Rasmus Andersson expressing his disappointment and the need for the team to "dig in".
The Flames' offensive struggles are not new, as they have had difficulty scoring goals in the past several seasons. This season, they are averaging just over two goals per game, which puts them at the bottom of the league. Their inability to generate quality scoring chances has plagued them, and they have also struggled on the power play. Individually, Connor Zary has acknowledged his slow start to the season, expressing his frustration and determination to regain his confidence. Blake Coleman leads the Flames with six goals and one assist. Nazem Kadri has four goals and three assists in his last 10 games.
The Sharks rank ninth in the league in goals, averaging 3.2 per game. In their last 10 games, the Flames have averaged 2.5 goals, while giving up the same amount. The Flames are 1-7-1 when they commit more penalties than their opponent.
Looking ahead to Thursday's game, the Sharks will aim to extend their winning streak and continue their climb in the standings. For the Flames, it's a chance to turn their season around and address their offensive struggles. The game is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.
