The Calgary Flames begin their quest for their first playoff berth in four campaigns when they host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday in the season opener for both teams. Calgary finished five points out of eighth place in the Western Conference in 2011-12, missing the postseason for the third straight year. The Flames are hoping Bob Hartley can make the difference. The veteran has not coached in the NHL since early in the 2007-08 season with the Atlanta Thrashers but led the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup championship in 2001.
San Jose had its string of four straight Pacific Division titles snapped last season, finishing one point behind the Phoenix Coyotes, and again disappointed in the playoffs as it was eliminated in the first round in five games by the St. Louis Blues. The Sharks possess enough talent to contend, but their window of opportunity is beginning to close. Top forwards Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau both are 33, while defensemen Dan Boyle, Brad Stuart and Douglas Murray are 32 or older.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, CSN California (San Jose)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (2011-12: 43-29-10, 2nd Pacific Division): Stuart returns to San Jose, where he spent the first 5 1/2 seasons of his career after being drafted third overall in 1998. The 33-year-old was traded to Boston in the Thornton deal and went on to play with Calgary, the Los Angeles Kings and the Detroit Red Wings before having his rights acquired by the Sharks in June. San Jose is expecting big things from Martin Havlat, who was limited to 39 games in his debut season with the club in 2011-12 due to injuries. The 31-year-old recorded seven goals and 20 assists.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (2011-12: 37-29-16, 2nd Northwest Division): Left wing Brad Winchester will not be facing his former Sharks teammates as he was released from his tryout agreement with Calgary on Thursday. Winchester recorded six goals and four assists with San Jose last season. "We thought he did a real good job, but we're just not prepared to offer him a contract right now," Flames general manager Jay Feaster said. After making his NHL debut last season, Leland Irving won the job of backing up starting goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff. "No better feeling," the 2006 first-round pick said. "It's taken a lot of hard work and a few obstacles along the way, but I couldn't be happier."
OVERTIME
1. Each team went 2-1-1 during the 2011-12 season series. Flames captain Jarome Iginla led all players with five points while San Jose's Logan Couture and Calgary's Olli Jokinen each had three goals and an assist.
2. The Sharks owned the league's second-best power play last season as it clicked at a 21.1 percent rate.
3. C Jiri Hudler will have to wait to make his Flames debut as he was placed on the bereavement list Friday.
PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Flames 1.