The San Jose Sharks are finding themselves in unfamiliar territory as they are fighting for a playoff spot. They are only three points out of their division lead and third place, however there also is the possibility that they don’t make the post-season at all.
San Jose are in a dog fight right now for the playoffs and have plenty of competition in and around the last playoff spot. The Kings, Avalanche, Coyotes, and Calgary are all competing with the Sharks for the last playoff spot.
Normally at this time of the season San Jose is comfortably leading the Pacific division and in recent years they have been in the running for the Western Conference title. That is not the case this year as the team has struggled lately and they have had their share of bad breaks.
Breaks are made and throughout the eighty-two game season they usually even out in the end. Lately it appears that San Jose has done many things right but are not being rewarded for their efforts. It is as though they are being tested by the hockey gods and this test has been going on for an extended period of time.
The offense has gone dry but the Sharks are out shooting and are getting the better scoring chances than their opponents. The goaltending has been an issue in San Jose but from what we have seen from Niemi in the past he should be getting back to form soon.
Since the Sharks are always well ahead of the pack this time of year we haven’t had to see them play desperation hockey in the final twenty games for quite some time. The way San Jose has recently played it makes one wonder if they have the urgency or desperation in them to find the next level.
Tonight’s game in Dallas the Sharks are doing a lot of things right but until 19:59 of the second period were not getting the breaks. Torrey Mitchell finally solved the Stars’ goalie Kari Lethonen on a backhand shot. Will this be the turning point of the current slump?
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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