San Jose Sharks: Top 10 Home Games In 2015-16 – Part Two
The San Jose Sharks have enjoyed one of the best home-ice advantages in the NHL for many years as the Shark Tank can be an imposing place to play. While San Jose’s play was well-below their usual standard in 2014-15, the Sharks will be looking to re-establish their dominant way of play at home.
With that in mind, we continue our countdown with part two of our look at the Top-10 home games for the upcoming season. For a look back at part one, check out numbers 10-6 on the list.
5. Washington Capitals (Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.)
It’s always a must-see event when Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals roll into town. San Jose and Washington played two high-scoring, competitive games last season with the Sharks prevailing in a shootout by a 6-5 margin, while the Capitals captured a 5-4 overtime victory at SAP Center in mid-February.
Joel Ward, who scored the overtime winner in Washington’s victory last year, will be looking to get back at his former teammates and help the Sharks in their stretch drive to the playoffs.
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4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m.)
What a way to kick off December as San Jose hosts two of the best players in the world as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will put their full talents on display for the only time in the Bay Area. Also, Sharks fans will get their first look at Phil Kessel in a Penguins uniform, who will give Crosby a dynamic scoring winger for the first time in his career.
The amount of talent that will be on display will be fascinating to watch as there should be plenty of high-speed action and quality scoring chances. Throw in a national NBC Sports Network audience and there’s plenty to get excited about in this matchup.
3. Los Angeles Kings (Monday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m.)
This will be the fifth and final meeting of the season for these two bitter rivals. San Jose’s matchup with Los Angeles comes at the end of an important six-game homestand which will hopefully keep the Sharks in the thick of the playoff hunt.
The Sharks and Kings both missed the postseason last year and will be hungry to get back there in 2015-16 season. With this game falling so late in the year, it could go a long way in deciding who wins the division or how the playoff seedings shake out in the Pacific.
2. Chicago Blackhawks (Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m.)
Typically, the Sharks and Blackhawks play highly entertaining games, and this year should be no different. The reigning Stanley Cup champions will be making their only appearance at SAP Center, so Sharks fans won’t want to miss this opportunity to see Jonathan Toews and his crew.
San Jose was able to win one of the three matchups against Chicago last year so the Sharks will have their hands full in trying to deal with the Blackhawks. With this game falling right before the Thanksgiving holiday, expect a boisterous crowd to be on hand for this nationally televised tilt.
1. Anaheim Ducks (Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m.)
This one is obvious because hockey is officially back in the Bay Area as San Jose hosts their home opener. Throw in the fact that the Sharks will be hosting one of their main division rivals and this is one that fans of the San Jose Sharks won’t want to miss.
Martin Jones will be making his home debut and the Shark Tank will be rocking with chants of “Ducks Suck” as the Sharks get an opportunity to continue their strong play against Anaheim. New head coach Peter DeBoer will get a chance to make a strong first impression with the home fans, and San Jose will be looking to make an early statement against the reigning Pacific Division champions.
Next: San Jose Sharks Top-10 Home Games In 2015-16: 10-6