The San Jose Sharks ended last week on a pretty bad note after losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2. The Sharks are currently 8-6-2; nothing too terrible, but a record that really needs to be improved upon. Here are the upcoming games this week:
Tuesday night at the BB&T Center – Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers will host the Sharks on this Veterans Day game. Honorary events throughout the night include: United States Army Brigadier General (ret.) Pete Dawkins will drop the ceremonial puck drop before the start of the game, camouflage jerseys will be worn for pre-game warmups which will then be auctioned off, the United States National Anthem will be sung by Sergeant Corrin Campbell, the Presentation of the Colors will be conducted by the Young Marines, the game will be broadcast to troops stationed overseas on the American Forces Network, and finally active military and veterans will receive 50% off tickets.
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The Panthers are currently 7th in the Atlantic Division with a 4-4-4 record. This will be the first of two meetings the teams will have only night days apart. The San Jose Sharks will host the Panthers on 11/20 back at the SAP Center.
This should be an easy win for the Sharks, taking the win in regulation.
Thursday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum – Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are not only at the top of the Atlantic Division, but they are currently number one in the NHL (at the time of this posting). They are 11-3-1 and with a winning percentage of .767 against the Sharks’ .563, the Sharks will have a huge battle ahead of them. Both teams have a power play percentage of 26.42.
True the Lightning are playing incredible hockey at this point in the season, but I think the Sharks can put up a good fight. I’m going to make a bold prediction and say that the Sharks can win this one in overtime.
Saturday night at the Nationwide Arena – Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 29th in the league and have a 4-9-1 record. This should be a game where the top lines will get a rest and the lower lines will have more ice time to show what they can do. An easy win for the Sharks after a day off, the prediction is an easy win, taking home a much needed two points for the Sharks.
Sunday night at the PNC Arena – Carolina Hurricanes
The second set of back to backs in three weeks is going to have the San Jose Sharks quite fatigued. Not to mention this will be the sixth of a seven game road trip that has kept the guys away from home for ten days at this point in the trip.
The Hurricanes are currently 5-6-3, but they are just coming off a great 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames who are 8th in the league. This proves the Canes have heart at the moment and are looking to turn things around. This, combined with the crazy travel schedule the Sharks are facing, will likely result in a loss for the Sharks.
Re-reading this, I really hope by 2 – 2 prediction is completely wrong!