Sharks Game Previews

Sharks aim to take out frustration on Jets

The Sharks are in a desperate need of an emphatic victory and the Winnipeg Jets appear to be an agreeable target.

The Sharks kind of need to win this hockey game. Is that an understatement? It feels like one. San Jose has dropped four straight and it's probably time for the Sharks to get two points against SOMEBODY, especially a team that is struggling the way the Jets are. They're not the Buffalo Sabres (thank god?) but this is a game the Sharks should have little trouble winning.

This feels like a game the Sharks are going to (finally) show up to. They're saying the right things in the locker room (ha ha they said the right things after the Buffalo game too, so) and they're bound to take their frustration out on somebody eventually, right? Well here's to hoping it's the Jets.

The last time the Sharks lost four in a row was March (Calgary, St. Louis, Colorado, St. Louis again) and the last time they lost five in a row was in February, y'know, right after that win streak. Sounds familiar.

Still no meaningful updates on Brent Burns other than he is indeed skating albeit in no-contact gear. Brad Stuart and Scott Hannan have not show much to make me believe either are a better option than Matt Irwin, but McLellan must ~~be a total idiot~~ know something we don't. Kevin Kurz and Curtis Pashelka have both reported that Irwin may start with Boyle tonight in the place of Stuart. We'll see.

Antti Niemi has not played great during this losing streak as he has posted a save percentage of .841 in the past four games. He doesn't seem to think it's anything to worry about (it's probably not) but better performances from Niemi during this streak may have earned the Sharks an extra point or two. I don't think he's the main problem (defensive mistakes) but it's certainly not helping matters any.

I'm not in the prediction making business, but I think the Shark are going to smash the Jets tonight. San Jose is in bad need of thumping someone to get themselves back on track and I think Winnipeg is going to get the brunt of it. Sharks are going to score five goals tonight. [In bold so you can make fun of me later]