Sharks Face Off Against Flames Amid Injury Concerns

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks are set to face the Calgary Flames tonight at 8 p.m. ET, amid a critical stretch of the NHL season where both teams are grappling with injuries. The Sharks will look to break a six-game losing streak while the Flames aim to build on their recent success.

The Sharks’ projected lineup features William Eklund centering a line with Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli, while New Jersey native Fabian Zetterlund joins Alex Wennberg and Will Smith on the second line. Notably, Collin Graf, Nico Sturm, and Luke Kunin round out the third and fourth lines, respectively. Defenseman Jake Walman and Henry Thrun form a key pairing on defense, alongside Mario Ferraro and Timothy Liljegren, with Shakir Mukhamadullin and Jack Thompson rounding out the blue line.

Alexandar Georgiev is slated to start in goal after a challenging season, currently holding a record of 10 wins against 19 losses with a 3.77 goals-against average (GAA). Injuries continue to impact the Sharks’ depth, with veteran Logan Couture sidelined due to a lower-body injury.

On the other side, the Flames aim to leverage their projected lineup, led by Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, and Matt Coronato. Connor Zary, Mikael Backlund, and Blake Coleman bolster the offense, while Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost bring additional firepower. Defensively, Kevin Bahl and Rasmus Andersson will be tasked with quelling the Sharks’ attack.

Dustin Wolf is confirmed to start in net for the Flames, coming off an impressive performance in their last game, with a record of 20-11-3 and a 2.62 GAA. The Flames will look to build on their recent victory over the Washington Capitals, utilizing a lineup that is expected to remain consistent from that match.

As of now, both teams are dealing with injury concerns, particularly for the Sharks, but they are hopeful that activated players like Sturm and Wennberg can provide a much-needed boost. Meanwhile, the Flames are keen to capitalize on both their opponent’s struggles and their own recent form, having earned points in three straight games.

Tonight’s matchup is particularly pivotal as both teams strive for favorable playoff positioning. With a significant number of injuries and adjustments, players from both sides will need to step up to secure crucial points as the NHL season heads toward its final stretch.