The Sharks are doing well despite the absence of both rookie Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture thanks to the brilliance of Joe Pavelski.
Unfairly nicknamed Little Joe because of Jumbo Joe Thornton, nothing about Pavelski's contributions are small in any way.
The Wisconsin native being selected to Team USA for the second Olympics in a row, has shined all season long.
His 27 goals places him second in the league and he just scored his first career hat trick in a 5-4 win at Tampa Bay. That was an incredible game because Martin St. Louis scored four goals for the Lightning.
In case you missed it here are the three goals. The Tampa announcers mistakenly give credit to Matt Irwin on the third goal. Pavelski tipped it in.
Joe Pavelski's three goal game
San Jose has won four straight and Pavelski has scored 18 goals in his last 20 games.
In the last three games: Pavelski has six goals and an assist, Patrick Marleau has a goal and four assists and Thornton has a goal and two assists.
The Sharks beat the Calgary Flames 3-2. Pavelski had two goals, and led the team in ice time with 21:19. This was the ninth time in franchise history San Jose had a penalty-free game and the second time they've done so this season. (Jan. 5, 2014 at Chicago)
Game highlights
Team Teal next hosts the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night.
Keep your head up. Ryan Leong