The San Jose Sharks are lucky to be in second place in the Pacific Division. Both the L.A. Kings and Anaheim Ducks had been surging up the standings until both clubs hit a small rough patch. Which happened to coincide with a Sharks small rough patch.
San Jose's lost two of three in regulation and the offense is once again drying up. Following a stretch in which they scored 14 goals in three games, the Sharks have just four goals in the last three games. It's been a reoccurring theme with this team. ( I like to rhyme most of the time)
The Sharks are 36-23-9 with 81 points. They lead Anaheim by a single point and the Kings, who are currently out of a playoff spot, by two points. All three clubs skate on home ice tonight. Two points is all that separates second place in the mighty Pacific Division from out of a playoffs altogether. With 14 games left there is no room for any more slip ups.
The teal and black host the Detroit Red Wings tonight at the Tank. This is a game the Sharks should win - must win. What was once a pretty solid rivalry has eroded into just another game on the schedule. The Wings have lost six games in a row and have a better chance of winning the draft lottery than finishing with a winning record.
BTW, the Wings won the first meeting 2-1 in the shootout. Must have been during another one of those dreaded offensive dry spells in San Jose. Right?
San Jose has won three of the last five meeting between these clubs, but still trail the all-time series 32-29-4-6.
Thanks for reading, Steve