The San Jose Sharks needed a big third period to dispatch the New York Rangers on Saturday night, but the game never really like it was in doubt.
Maybe it was the 52-26 shot difference. Maybe it was the ease in which they put pressure on the Rangers and goalie Henrik Ludqvist. Either way it was a good win against a good team and perhaps more importantly it happened in front of a home crowd.
New York had won its last three at the Tank before last night and it might have been four in a row had it not been for an offensive explosion by San Jose in the third period.
The Sharks came out flying and never eased up their offensive pressure. Joe Thornton (again), Joel Ward and Joe Pavelski scored in a span of 3:20 in the third period to break the game open.
Martin Jones was solid making 25 saves for his 35th win of the season. Jones is tied with Corey Crawford for third in wins.
The Sharks looked like the hungrier team and they should be. San Jose still has a lot of work to do before the 'experts' see them as a real threat. Beating quality teams will definitely help.
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It was the first game of a HUGE six-game homestand for the Sharks. If San Jose has any hopes of catching Anaheim or Los Angeles in the Pacific they need to make it happen now.
San Jose has won its last three home games, all against Eastern Conference teams, but their final eight home games are all against the West, including the last five of this stand which culminates on March 28th against the Kings.
The next five games....
- Tonight vs. the Coyotes (SJ leads season series 3-1) - 3/22 vs. St. Louis (STL leads season series 2-1) - 3/24 vs. Edmonton (SJ leads season series 3-1) - 3/26 vs. Dallas (SJ leads season series 2-1) - 3/28 vs. Los Angeles (LA leads season series 3-2)
Not an easy schedule, but the Sharks have held their own against all of these teams. I can see them going 3-2, maybe 4-1 during this stretch.
Keep in mind San Jose is only 15-15-3 at home.
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The Sharks can grab another two points tonight against the Coyotes at the SAP. If you recall....and I'm sure you do....the 'Yotes defeated San Jose 3-1 last Thursday. That game was in Arizona and it was an ugly loss, but revenge can be so sweet. Just have to win the game.
Jame Reimer will make his fourth start for San Jose. He's been very good in his last two starts, both wins. Reimer has stopped 74 of 79 shots in a Sharks sweater.
The Sharks will again be without defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (lower body) and forward Matt Nieto (broken knuckle) for the second straight game. Vlasic is still day-to-day. Nieto, on the other hand, will miss at least 3-4 weeks, but should be ready for the playoffs.
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Thanks for reading, Steve