The San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks two nights ago and can do it again tonight when the two clubs complete the second game of a home-and-home.
The Sharks (43-28-6) are still in the hunt for the Pacific Division crown and can keep pace with both the Kings and Ducks with two more points tonight. Anaheim leads the division by one point over Los Angeles and four points over San Jose. The Ducks destroyed the Flames 8-3 on Wednesday to grab the Pacific lead. The Kings host those same Flames tonight at Staples Center.
The Sharks took yesterday off following back-to-back wins over the Kings and Canucks.
With the day off I fully expect Roman Polak to play in tonight's game. Polak left the Sharks last game because of a late hit near his head from Canucks forward Jake Virtanen. The hit left him woozy and on his knees for several seconds.
Polak was able to return and finish the game, but Virtanen was assessed a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct and on Wednesday the NHL suspended the 19-year-old for two games.
Here's the hit....
The suspension is without pay for what the league called a "vicious" blindside check on Polak. This was Virtanen's first NHL suspension. The rookie forward has 13 points in 51 games in his first season.
Now some thoughts...
I agree the check was "vicious" and I agree the hit was waaaaaay late. The NHL got that right, but did the Sharks?
Let me explain.
Virtanen is a physical hockey player. He plays a bruising style and is known for his heavy, bone-crushing hits. And sometimes his hits walk a fine line. He is a 19-year-old rookie leveling a 29-year-old NHL veteran. Shouldn't somebody from the San Jose bench done something...anything?
Should there have been a little bit more emotion from the Sharks? I didn't see anybody come to Polak's defense. What happened to "old time hockey?"
Is this the way a playoff team responds to situations like this? Shouldn't this be a major concern for a team known for its playoff failures?
Polak is new to the locker room, but he plays a physical style that can be a big asset in the playoffs. I had hoped somebody would send a message to young Jake and the Canucks. It never happened.
The Sharks did outhit the 'Nucks 30-24, but I would of liked to have seen a more emotional response. Something that will make an opponent think twice.
I hope they can remedy that tonight in front of the SAP crowd.
thanks for reading, Steve