The first meeting of the season between these traditional rivals might not be as contentious as you'd expect.

The final meeting of 2013 between the Sharks and Hawks provides San Jose with an opportunity to thwart Chicago's attempt at making NHL history, ensure the road trip isn't a total disaster and prove they can still outplay elite teams.

A lot more than revenge will be on the Sharks' minds this evening in St. Louis as they try to snap a seven-game losing streak. But revenge will be on their minds too as they square off against the Blues for the first time since last year's playoffs.

With a quarter of the season (okay, 27.1%) over, we try to make out what the Sharks' bizarrely bipolar 2013 means and how they stack up against the rest of the West. Oh, and there's a huge game against the Blackhawks tonight too.

It's a quick turnaround on the road as the Sharks play the second half of their trip-opening back-to-back in Nashville this evening at 5PM. Prior to that, we look at what's causing the power play's power failure.

San Jose begins its six-game road trip hoping it doesn't resemble The Road Trip From Hell of a year ago.

Ahead of the Sharks' 1PM tilt with the Phoenix Coyotes, we examine how Clowe's goalless start has largely been due to the power play's impotent second unit.

The top two teams in the NHL meet tonight at the Tank.

San Jose begins a crucial back-to-back tonight in Anaheim before heading back to the Tank tomorrow for a heavyweight bout with Chicago.

San Jose hosts Nashville in the final game of their six-game homestand. With Jason Demers healthy and Brent Burns likely back soon, who stays and who goes on the Sharks' blueline?