The Sharks will still have fewer games played, so no, with the win Phoenix will NOT jump SJ in standings. Games played are counted before ROT wins.
- Aliaksandrhn

Sounds good but not completely true, because the first tie breaker is wins and OT wins.

And with that you take away 6 Sharks shootout wins, vs Phx 2 shootout wins. So in reality if they would end of tied Phx would win.

If you use the tie breaker regulation wins and OT wins would mean Sharks would have 25 wins and Phx would have 27 wins as of today.

PHX wins they jump SJ with 3 more ROW than the Sharks....Pacific divison is CLEARLY up for grabs this year LOL they play LA thats terrific
- USA_Parise9

What place is in LA in right now? Oh yeah, not in the playoffs. Go take a nap child

No, I grudgingly give props that the Sharks beat us like our big brother two years in a row. Actually rooted for them against the Nucks even after all of that, but as a hockey fan I am telling you the Sharks have jumped the shark, first round out this year. Something is missing, the kids cant play other than Couture who is a stud, the defense is average, Boyle is overworked, Murray is overrated and Burns is just plain over. As far as Uncle Cracker, err Antti Niemi, even sharks fans arent happy with him. Trust me, not as a wings fan but as a hockey fan, any sharks fans wanna bet me the Sharks will make it to the second round, just send me their money.
- yave1964

The 3rd best defense in the conference is average? We aren't happy with Niemi the stanley cup champion goaltender? He's more proven than your netminder, who we made look silly every time we've played him in the playoffs.

I think we will be okay in a 7 game series against any team this year. Of course it will be tough, it's the stanley cup playoffs, but I like our team this year.

The 3rd best defense in the conference is average? We aren't happy with Niemi the stanley cup champion goaltender? He's more proven than your netminder, who we made look silly every time we've played him in the playoffs.

I think we will be okay in a 7 game series against any team this year. Of course it will be tough, it's the stanley cup playoffs, but I like our team this year.
- mxgsfmdpx

Aw... Poor guy.... love the optimism.. looks like the kool aid glass is half full

Sounds good but not completely true, because the first tie breaker is wins and OT wins.

And with that you take away 6 Sharks shootout wins, vs Phx 2 shootout wins. So in reality if they would end of tied Phx would win.

If you use the tie breaker regulation wins and OT wins would mean Sharks would have 25 wins and Phx would have 27 wins as of today.
- Sharkfan48

This is from nhl.com, official tie-breaking:

* - Division leaders are seeded 1, 2, and 3 in Conference standings. If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

1.The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2.The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
3.The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
4.The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. NOTE: In standings a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against.

It only makes sense to put higher a team with a better % of points. If the Coyotes win their next game they will have the same # of points as SJ but will have played 3 more games than the Sharks and therefore San Jose would be still ahead. The Sharks would have to still lose a couple of more games before Phoenix can pass them in the standings.

This is from nhl.com, official tie-breaking:

* - Division leaders are seeded 1, 2, and 3 in Conference standings. If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

1.The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2.The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
3.The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
4.The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. NOTE: In standings a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against.

It only makes sense to put higher a team with a better % of points. The Sharks would have to still lose a couple of more games before Phoenix can pass them in the standings.
- Aliaksandrhn

What? You just furthered his point... Phoenix has more wins (not including shootout wins) than San Jose... thus would be ahead of San Jose in the standings. Assuming they were tied in points and this was at the end of the season.

What? You just furthered his point... Phoenix has more wins (not including shootout wins) than San Jose... thus would be ahead of San Jose in the standings. Assuming they were tied in points and this was at the end of the season.
- kneughter

We are not talking about the end of the season. The first post here stated that Phoenix will pass the Sharks in the standings with their next win. And I said that this is not the case and provided confirmation.

We are not talking about the end of the season. The first post here stated that Phoenix will pass the Sharks in the standings with their next win. And I said that this is not the case and provided confirmation.
- Aliaksandrhn

Sorry, didn't really back track the conversation... thought he refered to final standings...my bad!

Carry on....

This is from nhl.com, official tie-breaking:

* - Division leaders are seeded 1, 2, and 3 in Conference standings. If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

1.The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2.The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
3.The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
4.The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. NOTE: In standings a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against.

It only makes sense to put higher a team with a better % of points. If the Coyotes win their next game they will have the same # of points as SJ but will have played 3 more games than the Sharks and therefore San Jose would be still ahead. The Sharks would have to still lose a couple of more games before Phoenix can pass them in the standings.
- Aliaksandrhn

I already knew this, as it went into effect last year.

We are not talking about the end of the season. The first post here stated that Phoenix will pass the Sharks in the standings with their next win. And I said that this is not the case and provided confirmation.
- Aliaksandrhn

I understand, but what is the point of bring it up then? My point was that if all games were equal the Sharks would lose in a tie breaker. I understand what you are saying and you are right.

I was pointing out a fact that standings mean nothing right now until the season ends, and as it stands now the Sharks would lose a tie breaker vs PHx as of right now.

The point you highlighted is actually irrelevant as all teams will play the same amount of games by seasons end, can you give me an instance where this did not happen. And by the way you posted the TIE BREAKER PROCEDURE FOR THE END OF THE SEASON, it does not say anything about in-season standings.

No, I grudgingly give props that the Sharks beat us like our big brother two years in a row. Actually rooted for them against the Nucks even after all of that, but as a hockey fan I am telling you the Sharks have jumped the shark, first round out this year. Something is missing, the kids cant play other than Couture who is a stud, the defense is average, Boyle is overworked, Murray is overrated and Burns is just plain over. As far as Uncle Cracker, err Antti Niemi, even sharks fans arent happy with him. Trust me, not as a wings fan but as a hockey fan, any sharks fans wanna bet me the Sharks will make it to the second round, just send me their money.
- yave1964

As a Sharks fan, your right there is something missing. Truthfully I really don't know if the the kids can play. The coaches decision to constantly lean on playing bad veteran is killing the team. I think Burns will get better in the system and Boyle is overworked. Lets get real I see flaws in every team this year there is no clear cut team this year. Even the Canucks and the Red Wings have flaws that can make or break them. The Canucks are not the greatest 5 on 5 team and can rely on there power play to much. Detroit isn't that deep on there blue line and can get pushed around sometimes.

The 3rd best defense in the conference is average? We aren't happy with Niemi the stanley cup champion goaltender? He's more proven than your netminder, who we made look silly every time we've played him in the playoffs.

I think we will be okay in a 7 game series against any team this year. Of course it will be tough, it's the stanley cup playoffs, but I like our team this year.
- mxgsfmdpx

I applaud your optimism but I think it's clouded your vision somewhat. This team will go NOWHERE if Niemi doesn't get out of this rut immediately. He may have a Stanley Cup... but he's leaking live a sieve and giving up soft goals. That goal he let in on Miller should not have gone in (the one on Zetterberg he should have stopped too, but I suspect he was screened)

Howard may not have the Cup yet... but I'd take him over Niemi in a heartbeat this year going into the playoffs. Howard is now an elite goaltender (there's a reason he went to the all star game). To say the Sharks made Howard look silly in the last two years in the playoffs is complete B.S. I agree Niemi played great... but the Wings lost those series because their offense sputtered and didn't score enough goals... Howard still played well. He's taken his game to a new level now and Wings are much deeper in goal with Howard + Joey Mac. Their overall team defense is also MUCH better. The Wings haven't looked this good defensively since they won the Cup in 2008.

As a Sharks fan, your right there is something missing. Truthfully I really don't know if the the kids can play. The coaches decision to constantly lean on playing bad veteran is killing the team. I think Burns will get better in the system and Boyle is overworked. Lets get real I see flaws in every team this year there is no clear cut team this year. Even the Canucks and the Red Wings have flaws that can make or break them. The Canucks are not the greatest 5 on 5 team and can rely on there power play to much. Detroit isn't that deep on there blue line and can get pushed around sometimes.
- Jshark1932

The Sharks are still a great team in my book. And they are tough to play against in the playoff. They use their size and play physical to their advantage (especially in the playoffs). I think the reason they lost to Vancouver last year is because the Canucks are more of a complete team offensively & defensively). There's a reason it took Boston 7 games to win the Cup.

I do objectively agree with Yave1964. Something appears to be missing from this year's team and I think your analysis is exactly right. I think the lack of consistency from the Veterans have also hurt this team. This is NOT the same team without Setoguchi and Heatley. I think they gave up too much for Havlat & Burns. This team has definitely lost some of that offensive power it had that made it so dangerous.

I'm hoping the Sharks get knocked out of the playoffs before the Wings have to play them. They are a bigger and more physical team than the Wings and the wear & tear could take it's toll on Detroit. I do think the Wings could beat the Sharks this year mainly because:

1) Howard is now an elite goaltender and Joey Mac is a MUCH better backup than Conklin 2) The Wings are finally playing good solid team defense 3) the 3rd & 4th lines are chipping in goals left and right... this team is better offensively than the last two years.... with 4 lines it can roll and score.

Ahh, Wings fans coming out of the woodwork to support their first win over SJ of the year. You'd think that dominating an amazingly difficult central division or that NHL record setting home win streak would be enough to feed their egos, but I guess they use the Sharks as some sort of measuring stick. Can't imagine why they'd be so happy to beat little ol' San Jose.
- mage23

There should not be any Wings fans gloating over a regular season win over the Sharks (Wings' fans should know the regular season doesn't mean anything). But YES... the Sharks are very much a measuring stick for the Wings. The Sharks are a good team and the Wings may meet them again in the playoffs. Will be an entertaining series if they meet again this year... I do think the Wings are now more of a complete team than they were the last two years.

I already knew this, as it went into effect last year.
- Sharkfan48

If you already knew this then why did you say that the first tie breaker is the ROW when it's point %?

I understand, but what is the point of bring it up then? My point was that if all games were equal the Sharks would lose in a tie breaker. I understand what you are saying and you are right.

I was pointing out a fact that standings mean nothing right now until the season ends, and as it stands now the Sharks would lose a tie breaker vs PHx as of right now.

The point you highlighted is actually irrelevant as all teams will play the same amount of games by seasons end, can you give me an instance where this did not happen. And by the way you posted the TIE BREAKER PROCEDURE FOR THE END OF THE SEASON, it does not say anything about in-season standings.
- Sharkfan48

I didn't bring it up. If you look at the first post of this thread it says that with the next win Phoenix will pass the Sharks in the standings. That is incorrect and I was responding to that particular post.

And by the way you posted the TIE BREAKER PROCEDURE FOR THE END OF THE SEASON, it does not say anything about in-season standings.

Pay more attention. It is both for end of the season and in-season standings. Look for #1 tie breaker. After the regular season is over how can one team have played fewer games than another and have a better % of wins? It just doesn't make sense. These procedures apply at any point of the regular season.

Pay more attention. It is both for end of the season and in-season standings. Look for #1 tie breaker. After the regular season is over how can one team have played fewer games than another and have a better % of wins? It just doesn't make sense. These procedures apply at any point of the regular season.
- Aliaksandrhn

Why would you need a tie breaker during regular season? Does it really mean anything?

See this is what I get when I try to talk with fellow Shark fans, people who look don't look at things logically. And fans who care more about the in-season standings then the end of the season standings. I am a bottom line type of guy, if the Sharks don't win the Stanley Cup then the season was a failure plain and simple, because that is what sports are about.

"This is the best Sharks team I have ever seen"

Quotes from several Sharks fans

No it isnt....Enough said

Why would you need a tie breaker during regular season? Does it really mean anything?

See this is what I get when I try to talk with fellow Shark fans, people who look don't look at things logically. And fans who care more about the in-season standings then the end of the season standings. I am a bottom line type of guy, if the Sharks don't win the Stanley Cup then the season was a failure plain and simple, because that is what sports are about.
- Sharkfan48

Wow, where did that come from? Why would you need a tie breaker during the regular season? To tie break teams that are tied in points at any point of the regular season. Somebody has to higher, somebody has to be lower. Losten, all I did was point out the incorrect initial post on this thread. That's all. I never said that in-season standings were more important than the final standings. Everything else was your own interpretation. I'm gonna leave it at that.

"This is the best Sharks team I have ever seen"

Quotes from several Sharks fans

No it isnt....Enough said
- USA_Parise9

Dude....as a Kings fan you have ZERO room to be flapping your gums.

Isn't it time for recess? Go out & play.

"This is the best Sharks team I have ever seen"

Quotes from several Sharks fans

No it isnt....Enough said
- USA_Parise9

quotes from you-

"LA is going to be 1st, SJ is going to be last"

Well Well Well, you can be a troll all you want, but the reality is, LA is not playoff worthy right now.

The Sharks are still projected to finish with 99 points. While I am upset that number has fallen under 100 and that we have played some embarrassing hockey lately, that number is still projected to win the division by 6 points and is the 5th best in the West (9th in the league). A 99 point season would have been 4th best in the West last season as well.

It's not like we're some terrible non-playoff team. You can't even make the argument that we've had a bad season so far. Sure we've played some bad stretches of hockey at times but most teams do. It's not like anyone expected us to win the President's Trophy or anything.

I was as mad as anyone after the recent losses but realistically we are still in good shape. Historically the Sharks are a great road team (going into this season we were the best since the lockout) and are a very good post-Trade Deadline team.

The Sharks are still projected to finish with 99 points. While I am upset that number has fallen under 100 and that we have played some embarrassing hockey lately, that number is still projected to win the division by 6 points and is the 5th best in the West (9th in the league). A 99 point season would have been 4th best in the West last season as well.

It's not like we're some terrible non-playoff team. You can't even make the argument that we've had a bad season so far. Sure we've played some bad stretches of hockey at times but most teams do. It's not like anyone expected us to win the President's Trophy or anything.

I was as mad as anyone after the recent losses but realistically we are still in good shape. Historically the Sharks are a great road team (going into this season we were the best since the lockout) and are a very good post-Trade Deadline team.
- Sharks_12

Just looking at the current standings, I can see your point. And based solely on their record, yeah, they haven't had a "bad season". But I see them struggling. As much as you can argue that they haven't had a bad season, you also can't really argue that they've dominated in any way.

Standings wise, they're in a pretty good position...but I really can't picture them taking a best of 7 series from many of the other playoff teams; not right now at least. They really need their best players to start playing their best games - consistently, and they really need to play better as a team.

Just looking at the current standings, I can see your point. And based solely on their record, yeah, they haven't had a "bad season". But I see them struggling. As much as you can argue that they haven't had a bad season, you also can't really argue that they've dominated in any way.

Standings wise, they're in a pretty good position...but I really can't picture them taking a best of 7 series from many of the other playoff teams; not right now at least. They really need their best players to start playing their best games - consistently, and they really need to play better as a team.
- ssullivan28

IMO, two teams in the West the Sharks would not beat right now in the best of 7 are Detroit and Vancouver.We shall see what happens between now and April. As I've said many times before, couldn't care less about the regular season, it's all about the playoffs, especially for the Sharks.