The Christmas break couldn't have come at a better time for both the San Jose Sharks and this beleaguered blogger. I have been laid up with one of the worst flues I have every had. It's the same flu that has ravaged all of my family and looks like most of Orange County. If you have not had it yet...count your blessings.
If you have...then you know my pain.
But, I digress.
The Sharks have been off since Dec. 22 when they knocked off the Pacific leading Los Angeles Kings. The win had to be a huge boost going into the 6-day layoff and hopefully can be a springboard to continued success in the NHL's second half.
The Sharks have three games over the next six days against the Avalanche, Flyers and Jets. The Flyers are near the bottom on the Metro and Colorado and Winnipeg are on the bottom of the Central. It's not unfathomable to expect the Sharks to end 2015 on a four-game win streak.
I am getting a bit ahead of myself. It must be the lack of food in my system.
San Jose needs to remember how to win on home ice. The Avalache visit the SAP tonight, but don't expect them to simply lay down and get run over like Texas road kill. Colorado is 11-9 on the road and have won five of their last six away from the Pepsi Center. San Jose will need to be sharp.
Colorado will be playing the second half of a back-to-back situation. They lost Sunday night in a shootout to the Arizona Coyotes.
Joel Ward is expected to return to the Sharks lineup after missing the last two games with an upper body injury. What to watch for...
- The Sharks have dropped to fourth in the Pacific, thanks to their extended holiday layoff. A win tonight will put them back into the top three.
- As mentioned above...Joel Ward should return to the lineup. Ward is tied for fourth in most team points (23) and fourth in goals scored with 10. Good news for a team starving for more offense.
- Martin Jones should be the starter. His counterpart is expected to be 23-year-old Calvin Picard. It will be Pickard's first NHL start. He has two appearances this season, allowing four goals on 25 shots.
- San Jose's next five games are at the SAP. The Sharks are an NHL worst 4-9-0 in friendly territory. If they are going to make a move in the standings they will have to change their fortunes on the home ice.
Thanks for reading...I'm going back into my hole now, Steve