Faceoff Factor

San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames: Series Preview

Ashley Gallant | National Hockey League

Apr 8, 10:27 AM | Hype this story!

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Sharks (2) vs. Flames (7) Conference Quarterfinals Preview
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No team enters the 2008 playoffs with as much momentum as the San Jose Sharks. They have the best winning percentage (.933) in the month of March, a record that helped them erase an 11 point deficit to the Dallas Stars in 12 days and take the Pacific Division.

The Calgary Flames, meanwhile, have been in playoff mode for a few weeks. In a very competitive Northwest Division, the Flames managed to earn just enough wins to stay in the top eight in the Western Conference.

The Sharks are a highly skilled team that can be described as ‘big’ and ‘young’. This size and youth will help San Jose to survive the physical presence of the Calgary Flames. The Flames may not be as skilled as the Sharks, but they will set a tone from the opening faceoff that will make this series a war.

The season series between these two clubs saw Calgary win three games to one, but it should be stated that the final game of this series took place February 12th. Much has happened since that time.

Three things must happen if the Sharks want to win this series. First, they need to match Calgary’s physicality. This was an issue in the past, but it appears as though San Jose is showing signs of being tough, playoff-ready team.

Second, the pressure is on Patrick Marleau, who has found his scoring touch after being MIA the first half of the season. He needs to step up and be the no-nonsense captain that will take his team past the second round.

Third, the ‘Brian Campbell Factor’ must continue to be effective. The Sharks traded for Campbell at the deadline and have a record of 18-2-2 in the games since that time. He is the puck-moving defenseman that the Sharks needed and the team’s success just may be determined by how well Campbell plays.

If the Flames have any hope of winning this series (and most people believe that they will lose), three things must happen. First, they need to shut down Big Joe Thornton by getting in his face and delivering big time hits, but they cannot take penalties.

Second, Calgary’s MVPs needs to play like MVPs. Iginla has been everything to the Flames and they will only go as far as he takes them. Kiprusoff hasn’t been great this season, but he needs to play like Patrick Roy in the playoffs.

Third, the Flames need to find a way to score on the power play. They are 19th in the NHL when up a man and they are facing the NHL’s best penalty killing team. Calgary may need a little luck to get it done.

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Team Numbers
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Standings
San Jose: 49-23-10; 108 pts; 1st Pacific; 2nd Western; 2nd NHL
Calgary: 42-30-10; 94 pts; 3rd Northwest; 7th Western; 14th NHL

Records
San Jose: 22-13-6 at home; 27-10-4 on the road; 1-1-2 vs. Cal; 7-2-1 in last 10
Calgary: 21-11-9 at home; 21-19-1 on the road; 3-1-0 vs. SJ; 5-5-0 in last 10

Special Teams
San Jose: PP, 18.8% (8th); PK, 85.8% (1st)
Calgary: PP, 16.8% (19th); PK, 81.4% (20th)

Scoring
San Jose: 216 GF (19th); 187 GA (3rd)
Calgary: 226 GF (14th); 224 GA (16th)

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Player Leaders
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Goals
San Jose: Thornton (29); Michalek (24); Cheechoo (23)
Calgary: Iginla (50); Langkow (30); Huselius (25)

Assists
San Jose: Thornton (67); Michalek (31); Rivet (30)
Calgary: Iginla (48); Phaneuf (43); Huselius (41)

Points
San Jose: Thornton (96); Michalek (55); Marleau (48)
Calgary: Iginla (98); Huselius (66); Langkow (65)

Penalty Minutes
San Jose: Rivet (104); Murray (98); Shelley (91)
Calgary: Phaneuf (182); Godard (171); Sarich (135)

Wins
San Jose: Nabokov (46); Boucher (3)
Calgary: Kiprusoff (39); Joseph (3)

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Injuries
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San Jose: Norton (Back)
Calgary: None

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Series Schedule
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Game 1: April 9 at 10:00 in SJ; CBC, Versus
Game 2: April 10 at 10:00 in SJ; CBC
Game 3: April 13 at 10:00 in Cal; CBC, Versus
Game 4: April 15 at 10:00 in Cal; CBC

Game 5: April 17 at 10:00 in SJ (if needed); CBC, Versus
Game 6: April 20 at TBD in Cal (if needed); CBC, Versus
Game 7: April 22 at TBD in SJ (if needed); CBC