AND HERE WE GO!

Tonight, the San Jose Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche with two critical points on the line. At press time, the Sharks find themselves one point out of first in the Pacific Division and are in ninth place of the Western Conference Playoff standings despite being tied in points with the Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings {The Kings hold the tie breaker and are in the eighth seed}.

A familiar face will be returning to HP Pavilion tonight in Jamie McGinn, whom Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson traded along with Mike Connolly and top prospect Michael Sgarbossa {who finished as the OHL scoring leader with 102 points on 46 goals and 56 assists} to the Avalanche for Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi at the trade deadline.

Before the puck drops tonight, here are some links to get you in game mode:

• David Pollak of "Working the Corners" takes a look at the McGinn homecoming and the Andrew Desjardins line.
• Sharks head coach Todd McLellan tells Pollak that wins are all that matter at this point.
• Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area takes a look at how McGinn has flourished with the Avalanche since being traded from the Sharks.
• Kurz previews tonight's Avalanche/Sharks game.
• Scott Reiss of CSN Bay Area asks for the real Sharks to please swim forward.
• Kurz talks about tonight's reunion at the tank.
• Kurz discusses how the Sharks respond to adversity.
• Kurz takes a look at how Ryane Clowe and Michal Handzus have been key in shootouts.
• Yahoo Sports previews tonight's Avalanche/Sharks game.
• The Chronicle Herald takes a look inside the frustration of the Halifax Mooseheads after Sharks prospect Konrad Abeltshauser was suspended two games for being too tall.

Enjoy the articles and enjoy the game. As always, GO SHARKS GO!