San Jose Sharks Closing on Calgary Flames in the Western Conference

In the game of the night in the NHL, San Jose Sharks defeated Calgary Flames with 5-2. It was the clash between the top two teams in the Pacific division and one of the hottest in the league at the moment.

Flames now have a game in hand after this contest, and two points more than the Sharks who are getting better and better as the time goes by.

Evander Kane couldn’t hide his satisfaction after the contest, saying that this win isn’t worth two points, but double, because it is earned against the direct rivals.

“It’s a four-point game against a team we’re chasing,” said Kane who scored twice today and notched an assist.

What is also important is the fact that Sharks won on the road. Scotiabank Saddledome is one very uncomfortable place to be, but for the guests from California it turned out to be a picnic.

Still, it didn’t start like that. Flames got the lead through Jankowksi after 4:36.

Kane tied in the middle of the first period. It was his 9th goal against Flames since he arrived at San Jose back in February last year.

His goal started a hurricane, and two more followed in the next 85 seconds. First Brent Burns scored, while the guests had one player less on the ice, and then Thomas Hertl knocked-out the opponent.

Flames coach decided to replace his goalies after the second goal, and sent Mike Smith in instead of David Rittich. But that didn’t help either.

Kane continued to terrorize the hosts in the second period when he scored his second goal of the game. In those moments, the Sharks were looking ruthless.

The 27-year old forward especially.

“He’s been so dominant against these guys at times,” said Joe Pavelski, captain of the Sharks. “It’s good to see. When you’ve got a player that’s hot against a team, it’s good to see him stay hot and give our team a little boost.”

It was Kane’s 23rd goal of the season, and if he continues to score at this pace, he will surpass his best result from 2012, when he netted 31 goals playing for Winnipeg Jets.

T.J. Brodie used a powerplay situation and cut the deficit of the home team, giving them some hope before the third sequence.

And the Flames did start strong, having several powerplays chances, which they couldn’t use because of a masterful Martin Jones, San Jose’s goalie who had several superb saves. That booster the morale of his team who managed to keep their net intact in 6 of 7 powerplays hosts had.

Jones ended the night with 36 saves, providing the best ones when needed the most.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY4vgX1hmss

When Calgary’s initiative disappeared, and they deflated, Hertl scored his second goal of the match, on a powerplay, and sealed the fate of the home team, clearing already half empty Scotiabank Saddledome.

Flames are still holding the top spot of the Western Conference, with two points more than Winnipeg Jets, who unlike Sharks, have the same number of matches as they do. The upcoming battle for the tops spot of the West will be very, very interesting.

Sharks are staying in Canada, only moving to Edmonton, to face Oilers on Saturday. Flames go to Vancouver on the same day.