San Jose @ Calgary preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 11, 2018 ) Calgary 1, San Jose 3

The top spot in the Pacific Division will be on the line when the San Jose Sharks continue their road trip Monday against the Calgary Flames. The Sharks have gone 9-2-2 in their last 13 overall games and have won four straight away from home as they've pulled within one point of the Flames for the division lead.

Defenseman Erik Karlsson returned from a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Los Angeles' Austin Wagner to register a goal and three assists in Saturday's 7-4 victory over Edmonton. “It’s never fun to be out of the lineup, especially for the reason I was out for,” Karlsson told reporters. “But I made the most of it and watched the games, and sometimes it’s good to watch the game from afar, too - you figure out a few things.” After starting the month with seven wins in eight games, Calgary has gone 1-2-2 over its last five contests after suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to Vancouver on Saturday. Goaltender Dave Rittich has been superb for the Flames as he ranks fourth in the NHL in save percentage (.924) and third in goals-against average (2.26) among goaltenders that have played at least 20 games.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, NBCS California (San Jose)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (21-12-7): Martin Jones, who once again was bailed out by his offense on Saturday, is tied for third in the league with 16 wins - but his .898 save percentage is the lowest among the 21 netminders who have 12 or more victories. Thomas Hertl scored his 14th goal of the season Saturday, giving him seven tallies - and six assists - over his last 10 games. Logan Couture tallied twice and defenseman Brent Burns notched a pair of assists against the Oilers to remain tied for the team lead with 38 points apiece.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (23-12-4): Calgary went 0-for-5 with the man advantage against the Canucks and has converted only one of its 18 power-play opportunities over the last five games. “You have five power plays, you’ve got to get at least one or two (goals), especially on home ice,” center Sean Monahan told reporters. “It isn’t as sharp as it needs to be.” Mark Jankowski scored while on the penalty kill for the second straight game on Saturday and is tied with Arizona’s Michael Grabner for the league lead in goals (four) and points (six) while short-handed.

OVERTIME

1. The Sharks enter Monday ranked second in the league in shots per game (35.1) and are tied with the Flames for second in shots allowed (28.3).

2. Calgary has scored an NHL-high 12 short-handed goals this season, one more than Arizona.

3. San Jose LW Evander Kane is three goals shy of 200 for his career while Calgary RW Michael Frolik is one assist away from 200.

PREDICTION: Sharks 5, Flames 4