Opinion
3 min read

Will the San Jose Sharks Outswim the Flames in Calgary's Waters?

As the San Jose Sharks prepare to face off against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Sharks have been navigating through some turbulent waters this season, but their recent performances suggest that they might just have found their sea legs.


Feb 15, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin (11) skates against Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Holmes-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on April 2nd against the Seattle Kraken, the Sharks showed a commendable performance despite falling short with a score of 2-4. The team's ability to generate shots was evident as they fired 26 shots on goal, converting two into scores. However, it was their defensive play that raised concerns; they allowed four goals while only blocking 13 shots out of Seattle's total attempts of 32.


The powerplay unit for SJ managed to capitalize once during two opportunities, which is an area that could prove pivotal in their upcoming match against CGY. With a powerplay conversion rate standing at one goal from one shot in that game, efficiency on special teams will be crucial.


Feb 15, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks right wing Justin Bailey (90) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Holmes-USA TODAY Sports

On March 31st against St. Louis Blues, SJ demonstrated what they are capable of when things click into place. A resounding shutout victory with four goals scored and none conceded showcased both offensive prowess and goaltending solidity – an encouraging sign for any fan hoping for consistency from their team.


However, looking back at March 29th versus Minnesota Wild paints a different picture; it was a tight contest where SJ managed only one goal from 27 shots while conceding three times on defense. This inconsistency has been somewhat characteristic of SJ's season thus far – flashes of brilliance followed by periods of drought.


Feb 15, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) heads back to his net after a stoppage in play during the third period of a game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Holmes-USA TODAY Sports

The key takeaway for SJ is finding balance and consistency in both ends of the ice. Their goaltending has shown signs of reliability with high save percentages across recent games but needs more support from an offense that can sometimes sputter and a defense prone to lapses.


CGY will not make things easy; as hosts at Scotiabank Saddledome, they'll look to assert dominance early on and capitalize on any Shark weaknesses exposed in previous outings. It’s imperative for SJ to tighten up defensively and maintain pressure offensively if they wish to leave Calgary with points in hand.


Fans should mark their calendars for April 18th when these two teams collide under the bright lights at Scotiabank Saddledome starting at 7:00 PM local time (9:00 PM ET). This clash will be available for viewing pleasure via ESPN+ online or NBCS-CA television network – an encounter no fan would want to miss as we witness whether San Jose can indeed outswim the Flames or if Calgary’s fire proves too much for our beloved Sharks.

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