With only a few games left in the lockout-shortened season, the chase for the Stanley Cup is truly beginning to heat up, and the San Jose Sharks find themselves battling for position in the NHL Playoffs. As of April 12, the Sharks are holding off the St. Louis Blues for the fifth seed in the Western Conference, while pursuing the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings for fourth overall and second place in the Pacific Division. If the NHL standings remain as is, the Sharks would find themselves taking on the Kings in the continuation of a neck-and-neck race the teams have waged all season long. With a mere point separating them, the NHL couldn’t ask for a better first-round matchup, as both squads possess the necessary talent to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Similar to previous seasons, it’s been team captain and six-time NHL All-Star Joe Thornton pacing the Sharks, leading San Jose in both points and assists. However, he’s certainly received plenty of help en route to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Patrick Marleau is holding up his end of the bargain by leading the Sharks in goals scored, while Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski have both tallied double-digits in both goals and assists. And, as expected, Antti Niemi has continued to be a wall in front of the net. While many San Jose fans are already looking forward to buying Sharks playoff tickets, there’s still work for the team to do in the NHL season. On tap, the Sharks have important matchups against teams like the Phoenix Coyotes (April 15), Minnesota Wild (April 18), Dallas Stars (April 23), and the regular-season finale against the Kings (April 27).
