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Sharks take perfect record on the road |
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For the first time this season the Sharks will be tested on the road as they travel north of the border for a game in Vancouver before coming back to the Shark Tank to host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
San Jose will put their perfect 3-0 record on the line against the Canucks a team they have dominated lately going 10-0 in as many meetings.
The Sharks will be without the services of Brad Stuart for the next three games after he was suspended for an illegal check to the head of the Ranger’s Rick Nash. Nash did return to the ice after the hit but didn’t play after first period. He has been sent home to New York and will miss at least the next two games.
Tuesday’s 9-2 drubbing of the Rangers was Stuart’s first game back from injury and the decision on who to sit out wasn’t easy. Scott Hannon took a seat in the press box against New York, but he seems like the logical choice to suit up against the Canucks.
The Sharks dished up Vancouver’s only loss of this young season so far. Since the 4-1 loss in San Jose a week ago the Canucks have taken down the Oilers, Flames, and the New Jersey Devils to post a 3-1-0 record. Not what many would call the cream of the crop in the NHL, but regardless winning does breed confidence.
This team appears to be figuring out new coach John Tortorella’s way of doing things and the Sharks should be prepared for a tougher challenge than the one they faced on opening night.
The biggest question mark around the NHL is whether or not the rookie sensation Tomas (pronounced Tomash) can continue his run after scoring four goals against New York including what may be the most watched highlight by season’s end.
He currently leads the team in points with 6g 1a-7, but playing alongside Joe Thornton and Brent Burns certainly makes things easy. Regardless of his line mates the Czech Republic 19 year old has been more than impressive. His genuine love for the game and excitement has been a breath of fresh air for both San Jose and the league.
His celebration after his fourth goal while the game was out of reach was sincere and energetic. If you think about it a European rookie playing in his third NHL game scores four goals, and the last one in style deserves to do some show boating and shouldn’t ruffle anybody’s feathers (although it has).
I thought Head Coach Todd McLellan did a smart thing by not playing Hertl after the dynamic goal. It was a way of avoiding a potential dangerous situation, especially after the Ranger’s top dog Rick Nash had been knocked out of the game with an illegal check.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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