Thornton Tearing It Up

Sharks 3, Coyotes 1

If the San Jose Sharks can find some way to score a goal in their very first shift for the rest of the season and playoffs, then I like our chances for making a deep run. What seems like the 5th time in the last month, Team Teal got off to a super-fast start by scoring on their very first shift of the game. Not surprisingly, it was scorching-hot Joe Thornton that got the ball rolling.

There's no doubt about it...the Sharks are a very good time. However, like most teams, San Jose plays much better with a lead. With stellar goaltending and solid defense taking care of the goal-mouth, the offense is free to do what it does best...skate fast, possess the puck, and create scoring chances.

With 2nd place in the conference locked up, I worried that San Jose would simply cruise through the last remaining games and pick up some bad habits just before the playoffs. However, the Sharks appear to be keeping it together. Ron Wilson had mentioned that he's been keeping an eye on the point totals in the East...just to assure that San Jose would have home-ice advantage in the championship series. Personally, I don't like to think that far ahead...I feel that it may jinx it. However, it seems to be working for the Sharks. Unlike me and my blogging, the Sharks have been consistent and are not looking too far ahead of themselves. Team Teal is working hard and grabbing every point that's still available...keep it up gentlemen.

Notes:

Ryane Clowe returned to action and posted an assist on the very first goal of the game...nice to have you back Number 29.
Thornton now has 8 goals in his last five games...looks like Jumbo Joe is feeling the flow these days.
Nabokov had a relatively quiet night stopping 19 shots on net. The only one that beat him was when he was one-on-one with Shane Doan. It appeared that all the Sharks quit on the play, leaving Doan to pick up the rebound off the boards and put it past Nabby.
Sharks went to town in the second period firing 17 shots on net. However, Ilja Bryzgalov was up to the task.
Curtis Brown put in his 4th of the season...looks like Number 37 is rested.

A San Jose Sharks Blog