CALGARY - Joel Hanley’s first goal of the National Hockey League season at 13:26 of the third period was the game-winner on Sunday night as the Calgary Flames beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2.
Nazem Kadri and Kevin Rooney, with his first goal in 24 games, also scored for Calgary (27-21-8). The Flames snapped a three-game winless skid and moved to within one point of the Vancouver Canucks for the second wild-card playoff berth in the Western Conference. The Canucks lost 2-1 to the host Utah Hockey Club on Sunday.
Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli scored for San Jose (15-36-7). The last-place Sharks are winless in five and have dropped six straight on the road.
Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who made 27 stops, finally recorded his 20th win after going winless in his previous four starts. He improved to 20-11-3 on the season. At the other end, Alexander Georgiev had 33 stops. He has lost six in a row, 12 of his last 13 starts, and he falls to 10-19-0 on the season.
Tied 1-1 after the first period, Rooney gave Calgary the lead on his first goal and point since Dec. 10, knocking in a Ryan Lomberg rebound at 3:35.
Toffoli tied it 1:54into the third period, swatting in his own rebound for his team-leading 21st goal.
With the teams playing four aside, Hanley got a pass from Jonathan Huberdeau and the defenceman ripped a shot over the blocker of Georgiev for his first goal since March 23 of last season, finally breaking a 31-game drought without scoring.
The game was tightly contested with both teams exchanging leads, which made for tense moments. Celebrini's 18th goal moved him one goal ahead of Philadelphia's Matvei Michkov for the rookie lead, as he was instrumental for the Sharks.
Flames' Kadri, reaching his 20th goal this season, has now had power play success and extended his scoring streak, proving to be pivotal to the game’s outcome.
With this victory, the Flames improve their playoff positioning as they look to secure their spot, moving closer to the postseason aspirations.
The Sharks will need to find their form as they prepare to visit the Winnipeg Jets. Meanwhile, the Flames gear up for their matchup against the Washington Capitals, with renewed hope following this hard-fought win.