Flames at Sharks
THE STORY: After the teams have waged a pair of defensive battles this season, it's no secret that Wednesday's contest pitting the visiting Calgary Flames against the San Jose Sharks will likely center around goaltending. Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff will attempt to become the 27th netminder in NHL history to collect his 300th regular-season victory while fellow Finn Antti Niemi will try to keep dousing the Flames at every turn. Kiprusoff, who was drafted by the Sharks in 1995, failed in his bid for No. 300 on Monday after he dropped a 3-2, eight-round shootout decision to the Anaheim Ducks. On Wednesday, Kiprusoff will turn his attention to Niemi, who has won five straight and eight of nine career meetings against the Flames. Niemi has yielded just one goal in two meetings against the Flames this season - including a 25-save shutout in the clubs' last meeting on Jan. 24.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN, CSCA
ABOUT THE FLAMES (24-22-7): Captain Jarome Iginla reiterated to the Calgary Herald that he does not wish to be traded. His reasoning? Well, he believes the Flames could make some noise in the postseason should they qualify for the postseason. "We’ve played Detroit. We’ve played Vancouver. We’ve played San Jose. And we’ve played them lately. And while we respect them, we definitely feel we can beat them," Iginla told the newspaper. “I like it in Calgary. I believe we can be in the playoffs and have a shot."
ABOUT THE SHARKS (29-15-6): After two consecutive shutouts, Niemi's run of dominance came to an end on Saturday with a 5-3 loss to the Pacific Division rival Phoenix Coyotes. All-Star C Logan Couture has collected four goals and five assists during his six-game point streak, but has just tallied twice in eight career contests versus Calgary. San Jose LW Patrick Marleau is riding a three-goal scoring streak, but has traditionally struggled versus Calgary. Marleau has just two goals in his last 12 outings against the Flames.
OVERTIME:
1. Former San Jose captain Owen Nolan announced his retirement on Tuesday after 18 seasons in the NHL. "When your body won't do what your mind and your heart is willing to do, it's time to move on," the 39-year-old Nolan said. "I've enjoyed every minute of it."
2. Calgary's offense has dried up as injuries continue to mount. With LW Curtis Glencross (knee) and RW Lee Stempniak (ankle) expected to be sidelined until mid-March, the Flames have mustered two goals or less in nine of their last 13 contests.