Sharks at Flames
The San Jose Sharks have won five of seven to elevate into second place in the Pacific Division, although that run of success only has them five points ahead of the fifth-place Calgary Flames. The Sharks look to strengthen their postseason grip and widen the cushion over the Flames on Friday when the clubs meet at Scotiabank Saddledome.
"We are all watching the standings and there is not much room for error right now," San Jose captain Joe Pavelski said after he set up a goal in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over Edmonton to increase his point total to 10 (three goals, seven assists) in his last seven games. Tomas Hertl capped his two-goal performance by scoring 2:40 into the extra session for the Sharks, who are fending off the other California clubs as well as Calgary. The Flames are heating up with wins in three of their last four following a four-game skid to put themselves within three points of the second wild-card spot. "We need everyone contributing on the ice, off the ice, and in the room," said Calgary captain Mark Giordano, who has three goals and an assist in his last four games.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), Sportsnet West (Calgary)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (38-23-9): Joonas Donskoi has benefited from San Jose's acquisition of Evander Kane with six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games, but his good luck may have run out after sustaining a shoulder injury following being driven into the boards by Oilers defenseman Ethan Bear during the third period. The 25-year-old Finn, who is slated to play in his 200th career game on Friday if available, scored in San Jose's 3-2 win over Calgary on Dec. 14 and netted the decisive shootout goal in a 3-2 victory over the Flames two weeks later. Fellow forward Timo Meier scored in both of those encounters and has four goals and an assist in his last nine games overall.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (35-26-10): Coach Glen Gulutzan didn't commit to the return of Kris Versteeg to game action versus San Jose after the veteran forward was activated from injured reserve on Wednesday. "I just want to play again," said the 31-year-old Versteeg, who has been sidelined 48 games since undergoing hip surgery. "I just want to be able to help the team. I just want to get in the playoffs." Sean Monahan (undisclosed) is expected to play versus the Sharks despite missing practice on Thursday while fellow forward Matthew Tkachuk will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. San Jose RW Mikkel Boedker has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in the past 14 contests.
2. Calgary's 24th-ranked power play is 1-for-26 in its last eight games
3. Sharks D Brent Burns, who is scheduled to play in his 950th career contest, is mired in a 12-game goal drought.