@ 5:00 PST
43-18-10, 96 points		22-42-7, 51 points
2nd in Western Conference		15th in Western Conference

The last time San Jose Sharks visited Edmonton, they were in a somewhat similar mood. They arrived to Canada after a loss to Chicago Blackhawks at home. Yes, that loss. Sitting on my couch while eating Thanksgiving leftovers, I remember watching that game and losing hope by the minute, especially after the Oilers scored two quick goals to open the 3rd period to make to game 3-1. You may remember what happened next, as Marleau completed his hat trick with a shorthanded goal with 86 remaining in the game, and the Sharks went on to win that game in a shootout. This was a beginning of a three game winning streak. 

If you're thinking that the current streak is one of the worst ones in the recent history, you just may be right - it's actually the second longest winless streak. Here is a breakdown of the longest winless streaks of the past six seasons.  

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	@ 6:00 PST
43-17-10, 96 points		35-26-9, 79 points
2nd in Western Conference		9th in Western Conference

I don't even know what to say. Here's how the Sharks have performed in back to backs this season:

Sixty minutes tonight. Improvement in comparison to previous outings, especially considering what has occurred throughout the season and after the Olympic break, doesn't really matter anymore.

There were some good signs yesterday, but it's black and white from here on out.

Prediction: San Jose comes out and dominates.

Go Sharks.

	@ 7:00 PST
43-16-10, 96 points		43-24-3, 89 points
1st in Western Conference		3rd in Western Conference

[Update]: According to our Worcester Sharks source (Broadcaster and Media Relations Director Eric Lindquist), Logan Couture has indeed been called up for tonights game. No news on the line combos.

We've waxed pretty heavily over the last 120 hours. Without a doubt, this stretch of Sharks hockey has seen me question the team more than I ever have during any other span of a regular season. A blown lead against Florida, a lazy game against Anaheim, and then a complete implosion against Dallas led me down a path I don't travel often.

Talking with a coworker yesterday, the old adage "at least we're getting the slump out of the way now" came up. Although that could be an apt point, it didn't hold true for the team last year. This isn't just a slump; the team is facing some major personnel issues and an overall lack of effort. That's not to say that these issues can't be fixed, but as of this point in the season, I'm not seeing it.

That's why tonight's game against Vancouver is, in my opinion, the most important game the Sharks will play this season. Plank wrote a telling article yesterday, highlighting the Sharks struggles against Western Conference opponents and the fact that Phoenix is gaining ground in the Pacific division race. Ideally, the Sharks would have cleaned up against the non playoff teams faced earlier in the week, and a loss against the Canucks would have done little to affect the team's collective psyche. Now, though, that's not the case.

If the Sharks don't show up tonight, I've got serious doubts about their chances for any modicum of postseason success.

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	@ 5:30 PST
43-15-10, 96 points		29-26-13, 71 points
1st in Western Conference		12th in Western Conference

From one big rival to another, as the Sharks continue their traditional March road trip.  

As we take a look at the NHL standings, the Stars are pretty much in the same position as the Ducks are at this point of the season. The playoffs hopes are all but lost, especially after the Olympic break as Dallas went through a dismal 1-5-1 stretch, with their only win coming in a skills competition, even if against Washington. While last year the Stars fans could have comforted themselves with a thought that it was the injuries that ruined their season, this year there is no excuse-- most of their best players have stayed healthy throughout the season. It is a mediocre defense (46 more goals allowed than the Sharks and only one d-man with more than 15 points on the season), inconsistent goaltending from Marty Turco, and a hideous special teams numbers (20th PP unit in the league and 27th PK unit) that led to a largely underwhelming season by what used to be one of the better NHL franchiaes. Actually, could it be the coaching? 

As this season progresses and I see these kinds of results from the Stars, I keep wondering how will the club's ownership, management and fans feel when Dave Tippett gets Jack Adams Award this June? 

But let's not concern ourselves with the Stars. Needless to say, with recent lackluster performances, and strong words of general dissatisfaction from Todd McLellan and Dan Boyle, the Sharks must take two points tonight.

What matters even more is what we'll actually see on the ice. We've already touched upon the general lack of consistent scoring and a wild line shuffling of forwards that McLellan is playing with, but let's touch upon another concerning trend that's been slowly emerging over the past few weeks. 

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	@ 5:00 PST
43-14-10, 96 points		30-29-8, 68 points
1st in Western Conference		13th in Western Conference

Following a porous end to the game yesterday against the Florida Panthers, which saw one of the most lifeless forty minute performances San Jose has turned in all year, the Sharks get a chance to get back on the horse and do something special today.

Bury the Ducks playoff hopes.

Make no mistake-- Anaheim's season is likely over already, with Detroit and Calgary making a strong push towards the final two spots in the West. But for an organization (San Jose that is) that was embarrassed last season by Anaheim in the playoffs, tonight deserves some recognition. There is an opportunity to go undefeated against the Ducks since the April Aspyhxiation*, and truly make a stamp on the season. It is one of those moments that will stick with me for a long time if it occurs, no matter how insignificant it may be in the standings column.

*Disclosure: I hate the "choke" label as much as the next guy, but the alliteration there was too much fun to pass up.

At any rate, daylight savings really threw a wrench in my gameday plans today, and with final exams approaching, I don't have enough time to wax poetic as I would like. If you're in the mood for some reading material however, this article from earlier in the year is a great one. If I hadn't written it then I would have written it today, and I think it holds up quite well-- hell, it will likely be relevant even two years from now when it comes to Anaheim.

Also, big ups to Ryane Clowe for being just about the only Shark out there yesterday who looked like he had a pulse. I have definitely extended a fair share of complaints his way throughout the season, and it's only right to acknowledge when he has a great game. Keep it up #29.

Prediction: Sharks win 4-2. Goals by Marleau, Setoguchi, Pavelski, and Thornton. The big guns show up and drive a stake through the heart of a past playoff ghost.

Go Sharks.

	@ 1:00 PM PST
27-29-10, 64 points		43-14-9, 95 points
12th in Eastern Conference		1st in Western Conference

Back by popular demand, it's the obligatory "Goaltender with a question mark in the headline" article that has been making the rounds on Fear The Fin this week. On the docket today is one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL, Tomas Vokoun, who will face off against the Sharks today.

Vokoun has played for two franchises during the course of his 11 year professional career. These franchises, the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, have had a history of attendance issues and been largely ignored by the mainstream media. This is not to say that they are franchises that should be relocated to Winnipeg at the drop of the hat-- after all, Florida looks to be locked into Sunrise for the foreseeable future, and reports out of Nashville indicate the team will be there for at least two more seasons. Both organizations have done a fine job of expanding their fanbase and generating interest in their respective clubs despite cries from some in the Canadian media for relocation.

However, this is to say that Vokoun has not had the opportunity to prove himself in a premier hockey market that would elevate his presence, despite being the most consistent and successful goaltenders since the NHL lockout:

This is while playing behind some of the worst defenses in terms of SA/60 over the course of this five season data range.

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	@ 7:30 PM PST
36-25-5, 77 points		42-14-9, 93 points
7th in Western Conference		1st in Western Conference

As Plank explored yesterday, this 8 day stretch is going to be difficult. Three of the Sharks next six games are against playoff teams, and four are against teams which are currently fighting for their playoff lives.

The first of these games comes against a team that has given the Sharks relative headaches all year. Not migraines, but definitely a few Tylenol worth. The Nashville Predators have played some hotly contested games against San Jose so far this season, staring with a 4-3 squeaker in San Jose where the Sharks came out on top. Interestingly enough, the next two games against the Predators were decided by a 4-3 score as well; Nashville won at home on November 10th, followed by a San Jose Sharks win in Nashville on February 6th. So, although the Sharks have a 2-1-0 record against the Predators this season, they've only outscored them 11-10.

Why have the Predators given the Sharks so much trouble? Well, they fit the bill of the type of team that gives Sharks problems. They have a solid defensive unit, an industrious group of forwards, and a forecheck that disrupts the Sharks ability to move the puck up on the rush. Other teams like the Predators? Think Columbus, Phoenix, and St. Louis. While these are teams the Sharks should beat consistently, their style of play usually results in a closer game than expected.

Still, the Predators remain my preferred first round opponent.

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	@ 7:30 PM PST
25-28-11, 61 points		41-14-9, 91 points
14th in Eastern Conference		2nd in Western Conference

[Update]: Ryan Vesce has been recalled on loan from Worcester and will play today.

It's funny how things can change so quickly-- just a year ago today Columbus was in the midst of making a run to the playoffs, one that eventually resulted in their first postseason appearance in franchise history. The team was young, exciting, coached by one of the best minds in the game, and seemingly on the up and up.

Flash forward a year and not much has gone right for the Jackets. Columbus had a brutal nine game losing streak in December of this season and eventually fired Ken Hitchcock in February; he was replaced by then assistant coach Claude Noel who has led the team to a 3-1-2 record under his command, including a 3-0 shutout of the San Jose Sharks just before the Olympic break.

Columbus always seems to play San Jose well, with a strong forecheck that doesn't give the Sharks a whole lot of time to execute on the breakout. Since Columbus is out of the playoff picture (and therefore not the best team to look at in terms of litmus tests and the like), executing good first passes out of the zone should be the main focal point tonight. San Jose always seems to struggle against teams who can consistently apply pressure to their defenseman by physically wearing them down over sixty minutes. Columbus may not be a good team this year, or at least one who hasn't had their record reflect their talent level, but they definitely pose a good test for the Sharks in this category.

On that note, I've always been a big fan of Derek Dorsett. He's scrappy as hell and reminds me of Scott Nichol, except with slightly better hands and a bigger frame. Solid defensively and has a real knack for getting under opposing player's skin. Watch for him to make an impact tonight, especially with Raffi Torres gone.

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