The San Jose Sharks are heading to Calgary to face the Flames on Saturday, January 31, 2026, aiming to rebound after a disappointing collapse against the Edmonton Oilers. In their previous game on Thursday, January 29, the Sharks surrendered a 3-0 lead, ultimately falling to the Oilers in overtime by a score of 4-3.
San Jose jumped out to an early lead against Edmonton, with Collin Graf scoring just 26 seconds into the game. Adam Gaudette quickly followed up, making it 2-0 at the 1:35 mark, and Michael Misa added another goal to extend the lead to 3-0. However, the Oilers mounted a comeback in the third period, with Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard all finding the back of the net to tie the game. Zach Hyman then scored in overtime to seal the victory for Edmonton.
Despite the loss, the Sharks have shown signs of progress this season. Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, despite allowing 4 goals on 32 shots against the Oilers, has emerged as a potential franchise netminder. The team's young core, including Macklin Celebrini, has also contributed to their improved performance. Celebrini recorded an assist in the game against Edmonton, marking his 90th career assist and making him the second-youngest player in NHL history to reach that milestone, behind only Sidney Crosby. Will Smith has also been a key performer for the Sharks, with 15 goals and 22 assists this season. In their last 10 games, Celebrini has tallied four goals and 11 assists.
The Calgary Flames, on the other hand, are also looking to bounce back after a recent loss to the Minnesota Wild. In that game, the Flames were penalized late in the third period, which allowed the Wild to capitalize and secure a 4-1 victory. Morgan Frost has been a top performer for the Flames, with 11 goals and 14 assists this season. Matthew Coronato has also contributed with three goals and one assist in his last 10 games. The Flames have struggled to score recently, with only one goal in seven of their games in January. In their last 10 games, the Flames have a record of 3-5-2, averaging two goals per game.
The upcoming game against the Flames presents an opportunity for the Sharks to demonstrate their resilience and continue their push for a playoff spot. In their previous matchup, the Sharks defeated the Flames 6-3, with Macklin Celebrini leading the way with two goals. As the Sharks look to shake off their collapse against the Oilers, they will need to maintain their early-game momentum and capitalize on scoring opportunities against a struggling Flames team.
