San Jose Sharks Morning Cup of Java: Game Day Edition

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight the San Jose Sharks will head out on the road for the first time in this young 2013-14 NHL season, as they gear up to take on the Vancouver Canucks for the second time in as many weeks. Vancouver has gone on a three-game winning streak since losing to the Sharks in their first game and will likely be a much tougher out this time around.

We’ll have a preview up for you shortly, but for now here are a few mandatory reading links to get you through your first cup of java, espresso or whatever your preferred morning poison is.

The St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks put on quite a show last night before Alexander Steen scored the game winner with 22 seconds left. (NHL.com)

NHL.com couldn’t help but hope on the Hertl power train. Here’s a nice write up about San Jose’s new young hero. (NHL.com)

Ryan Kennedy over at The Hockey News takes a look at how missing an entire NHL season can really cost a player once he tried to return. (THN.com)

The Detroit Red Wings could be regretting their choice to let go of Joey MacDonald at this point. (THN.com)

Jonathan Willis at the Bleacher Report takes a look at Hertl’s emergence from a number-centric point of view. (BleacherReport.com)

And just in case you haven’t quite got enough on Hertl, here’s one more take on whether or not he’ll stick around as a bona fide NHL star. (TheHockeyWriters.com)

Remember all that money the Minnesota Wild spent just prior to the lockout? They’re finding out the hard way that you can’t buy wins in this league. (Pro Hockey Talk)