SAN JOSE - Michael Stone will return to the lineup tonight for the Flames when they take on the Sharks in their final tilt of a three-game California road swing.
Stone will play alongside Juuso Valimaki, with Rasmus Andersson getting the night off in the second of back-to-back tilts after beating the LA Kings 1-0 at Staples Center Saturday night.
Mike Smith will get the start in the net for the Flames.
"Just play his game, I think that's all you can ask of a player coming in or staying in - you just want them to bring their game," said Associate Coach Geoff Ward of Stone. "And (Stone's) been playing well; I think really it's a testament to the depth on our backend, the fact that we (had) to sit a guy down who's been playing some good hockey for us.
"That's a good thing, it's allowed us to give the young kids some time, and they've earned the time, but it's nice to know that you've got guys ready in the background that have been playing well, are game experienced, and they know exactly what's going on. We don't expect any blip at all in the radar in terms of what's happening. Mike will come in and we expect he's going to play a strong game."
Stone said he's planning "to come out with a lot of energy."
"I mean I'm just looking to pay the way I can play, not do anything out of the ordinary just because I'm getting back in," he said. "I just want to play the way I know gives me success, and that's the only thing I can do really."
PROJECTED LINEUP - FLAMES VS. SHARKS
Calgary's projected forward lines, D pairings and goaltenders for tonight's game
