CGY SJS 3.31 preview

FLAMES (48-23-7) at SHARKS (44-25-9)
8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SN, NBCSCA, NHL.TV

The Flames are 7-3-0 in their past 10 games and lead the second-place Sharks by six points. Each team has four regular-season games remaining.
San Jose ended its season-high seven-game losing streak and clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday at home against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Sharks lead Vegas by six points and can finish no lower than second place in the division.
The Sharks are 1-6-1 in their past eight games after a six-game winning streak.

Players to watch

Flames defenseman Mark Giordano has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in his past 10 games.
Sharks forward Logan Couture has six points (four assists, two goals) in his past five games.

They said it

"He's had some struggles offensively. They're well documented. But it's not for a lack of effort, and he cares, he really cares. And he's probably piled on himself a little too hard. It was good to see it go in for him." -- Flames coach Bill Peters on forward Sean Monahan, who had two goals and two assists in a 6-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday
"It's going to be the same type of hockey game it was tonight. They have a good team, they're a good transition team, they're a speed team. We're going to have to bring this same game tomorrow night." -- Sharks forward Evander Kane after the victory against Vegas

Flames projected lineup
Sharks projected lineup
Status report

Bennett, who has missed the past four games, is expected to return to the lineup either against San Jose or on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

Stat pack

Tkachuk has no points in his past four games after having 13 (eight goals, five assists) in his previous six. … Thornton is two assists from tying Steve Yzerman (1,063) for eighth place on the NHL list. … Hertl has five points (three goals, two assists) in a three-game goal/point streak.