San Jose Sharks Weekly Roundup

Apr 2, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer (34) is congratulated by teammates after a shootout win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Sharks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer (34) is congratulated by teammates after a shootout win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Sharks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Sharks head into the final week of the regular season knowing that they will likely find themselves heading to Southern California to begin the postseason.

After a long and grueling regular season, the San Jose Sharks have reached the final three games of the year as they look to finish on a high note. It’s looking more and more likely that San Jose will begin their playoff run on the road, which after their picking up their 27th road win in Nashville, might not be all that bad for team teal.

It’s been a nice bounce back campaign for the Sharks after struggling through a brutal second half last year. San Jose is a much deeper team this year, but won’t be able to prove that things are different until the playoffs roll around.

With that in mind, get caught up on all the latest news and notes surrounding the Sharks in this week’s roundup:

– San Jose found themselves in a familiar position against Nashville on Saturday night, trailing the Predators by two goals heading into the final frame. However, the Sharks stormed back with two goals in the third before Logan Couture scored the lone goal in the shootout to give team teal a 3-2 victory.

– Fresh off a pair of goals in Nashville, Tomas Hertl is having quite the bounce back campaign for San Jose. Hertl has showcased the goal-scoring prowess and offensive abilities that made him a first-round pick of the Sharks back in 2012.

More from Blades of Teal

Brent Burns put together a very impressive month of March with six goals and 13 assists (19 points) in 16 games, including setting a new franchise record for goals (27) and points (74) by a defenseman in a single season. After putting forth that kind of effort, Burns was recognized as the third star for the month of March by the NHL.

– After failing to clinch a playoff berth on three different occasions, the Sharks punched their playoff ticket with a huge victory over the rival Los Angeles Kings. Joe Thornton scored the game-winner on the power play as San Jose used a three-goal third to pull away from L.A.

– It was only fitting that team teal clinched their playoff berth against the Kings as it was L.A. who sent this franchise into a downward spiral last year. However, this Sharks group looks much different from the one that took on Kings in the first round back in 2014.

– Following their postseason clinching victory over the Kings, the Sharks traveled to Vancouver to take off a reeling Canucks squad. After a very sluggish start, Logan Couture powered San Jose with his first career hat trick as team teal rolled to a 4-1 win.

– Now that the Sharks have clinched a playoff berth, they now await which of their Southern California rivals they will match up against next week. It will likely come down to Thursday’s meeting when Anaheim travels to L.A. for their final game of the season. The loser will almost assuredly find themselves squaring off against San Jose when round one commences.

Next: Tomas Hertl Having Break Out Campaign For Sharks

The Sharks have reached the final week of the regular season and it begins with their final road game of the season tomorrow night when they take on the Minnesota Wild.

Then, San Jose returns home to wrap things up with a meeting against Winnipeg on Thursday before hosting the Arizona Coyotes in the season finale on Saturday. Gear up Sharks fans because the playoffs are fast approaching.