CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Rookie Mikael Backlund set up second-period goals by Nigel Dawes and Eric Nystrom, and the Calgary Flames held on to defeat the struggling San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Friday night.
Jarome Iginla and Daymond Langkow also scored for Calgary, which has won six of its last eight to get into the Western Conference playoff hunt.
Manny Malhotra, Dan Boyle and Dany Heatley had goals for the Sharks, who have lost four in a row in regulation. Their lead atop the Pacific Division has been cut to three points by the Phoenix Coyotes, with 11 games remaining for both. San Jose also remains tied with Chicago for the top spot in the Western Conference.
