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Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

3 Takeaways From Flames’ 5-2 Win Over Sharks

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Rupert McDonald | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 9:35 AM ET

The Calgary Flames had a lot of pressure last evening, and they came through in a big way. Facing elimination for the first time this season, the Flames were able to score three goals in the third period in what ended up being a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. It was another gutsy effort from a team that has been extremely resilient all season long.

This continued some stellar play as of late for the Flames, who have now picked up at least a point in eight of their last 10 outings. Granted, it came against an inferior opponent in the Sharks, but the fact that they were able to elevate their play in a game with the stakes this high was quite impressive. With that said, here are the three main takeaways from this massive victory.

Wolf’s Incredible Season Continues

It’s getting harder and harder to envision the Calder Trophy going to anybody other than Dustin Wolf. While Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson have both had superb rookie seasons, there may not be a player in the NHL carrying his respective team more than Wolf has carried the Flames throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

The 23-year-old was superb once again last night, stopping 28 of the 30 shots the Sharks threw his way. His best of the night came in the third period with the Flames up 3-2, as he was somehow able to track a puck that had bounced off a stanchion right onto the tape of Tyler Toffoli. Everybody in the Saddledome was shocked by the save, including Toffoli, who lifted his head in disbelief.

“I saw it, and it was, ‘Are you kidding me?’ And then it was, ‘Are you kidding me, it’s Toff? Because Toff scores those, he doesn’t miss those,” head coach Ryan Huska said postgame. “Wolfie made a huge save. I don’t know how he figured out it was not coming the right way, but to get across like he did was a really big save at that time.”

Sharangovich Hits 100 Goals

It’s been a frustrating season for Yegor Sharangovich, who has struggled to replicate an impressive 2023-24 campaign that saw him score 31 goals. That breakout season earned him a five-year, $28.75 million extension, which many were beginning to question given his struggles this season, which at times have even seen him sit out of games as a healthy scratch. He’s beginning to turn things around as of late, however, and hit a big milestone last night.

Yegor Sharangovich, Calgary Flames (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)

Sharangovich scored two goals last night, the first of which marked the 100th of his career. He’s now scored in three straight games and sits at 17 goals and 31 points on the season. It’s still not the level of production fans had envisioned, though it is a vast improvement from where his numbers were just a few weeks ago. He’ll need to find a way to continue producing over the final two games of the regular season.

Huberdeau Surpasses 60-Point Mark

When Jonathan Huberdeau first arrived in Calgary, Flames fans were hoping he could be the 100-point player he was in his final season with the Florida Panthers. That never turned out to be the case, as he instead disappointed with 55 and 52-point seasons. While still far from a 100-point player in 2024-25, he’s been significantly better.

Huberdeau was able to chip in with two assists last night, giving him 61 points on the season. It’s a total that few expected him to hit, given how his first two seasons had gone. Even better is that he’s scoring at a much higher rate, as he has found the back of the net 28 times through 80 games. Much like Sharangovich, he’s going to need to continue producing for the Flames to sneak into the postseason.

Looking Ahead for the Flames

The Flames are in action twice this week, the first of which will come on Tuesday night versus the Vegas Golden Knights. It will be another must-win game, and it certainly won’t be an easy one against one of the NHL’s elite rosters. They will then face another difficult opponent in their season finale on Thursday in the LA Kings.