BoT Gameday: Stars @ Sharks

One week from tonight the NHL regular season will conclude. In that time, the San Jose Sharks have four games. Two home and home series with two division rivals who want to dethrone Team Teal for Pacific Division supremacy. Captain Joe Thornton said after Thursday night’s loss to Phoenix that they need to win every game. Well Joe, it’s like a playoff series and you’re down 3-0. Win em all, and move on. Lose one or two, and the tee times can be scheduled as early as Easter Sunday.

Dallas is coming off a disappointing loss to Vancouver in British Columbia. The regulation loss, coupled with Los Angeles’ win in Edmonton put the Stars from the division lead to 7th. A regulation loss tonight might put them on the outside looking in. For San Jose, a win along with regulation losses to the Kings and Coyotes tonight, vault them back to the #3 seed in the West with three to play.

San Jose has played well against Dallas going 3-0-1 in the previous four matchups this season. However, that loss was in a shootout in their last meeting in Big D. Joe Thornton has a goal and eight assists in the season series. Goaltender Antti Niemi is 4-0-1 in his last five starts against Dallas with a 1.77 goals against average. Niemi has allowed nine goals in his last five starts. Bad news is that the Sharks are 3-2-0 in those last five games. The offense must pick up or else the only offensive action HP Pavilion can host are touchdown passes by quarterback Mark Grieb for the Arena Football’s San Jose Sabercats.

Time to shut up, time to put more pucks in the back of your opponent’s net and less in your net, Team Teal. LET’S PUCKING DO THIS!!!