I wasn't expecting to see Bernier back in the lineup for another week, but the Sharks need a boost and he got the call-up from Worcester today. It'll be nice to see him back, because I think he's one of the team's most valuable forwards when he's playing physically and forchecking. The big kid didn't set the world on fire during his demotion, scoring only 7 points in 10 games and suffering a broken toe that sidelined him for a month. We'll see how he responds after nearly two months away from an NHL, and the Sharks need him to produce down the stretch if they want to have any hope of catching Anaheim. Just curious if anyone out there has ever broken a toe. It's gotta be a frustrating break, considering the other 99.8 percent of your body is completely healthy. Anyway, Bernier and Curtis Brown will be in the lineup tomorrow against Washington.
***
It's official, Joe Pavelski is fragile. Either that, or he broke his foot and nobody bothered to mention it. He's been out for three weeks now, and during that time he's been questionable, probable, doubtful, hopeful, bashful, sleepy, sneezy, grumpy, dopey and everthing else in between. He took part in practice today, but is still listed as questionable for tomorrow night. That's exactly what the Sharks need, a talented young player who stubs his toe and goes on IR for 4 months.
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Vesa Toskala was supposed to get the start on Sunday, but he came down with the flu and Nabby stepped in for the loss. Vesa's scheduled to start tomorrow if he's healthy to go. And just so everybody knows, I've soured again on the two-goalie rotation. I have to give the Sharks credit for sticking with it, but they have no choice anymore. They've passed the point of no return. Could you imagine the psychological blow to Toskala if the Sharks decided to start Nabokov for the next five games because Vesa's been struggling? Oh man, I just don't see it going on any longer than this season. If I had my druthers one of them would be gone by next Wednesday.
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I think we'd all agree that the road hasn't been kind to anyone on this trip, especially Patrick Marleau. He's doubtful for tomorrow night's game after some food poisoning kept him out of practice today. This shouldn't be such a big deal, but it hurts when you consider the team's lack of confidence right now. They need guys in the lineup who can make simple plays and set up scoring chances. Having Marleau out really kills the second line and it's a shame the club hasn't been able to deliver despite the injuries. It just goes back to what Ron Wilson has been saying all season long about adversity. When the Sharks face some they usually turtle. Blame either Wilson, Hunter, Strehlow, Sharkie, whoever you want, but I lay the blame at the feet of the players. Coaches don't win games, players do.
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I know it's off the subject, but I used to love Welcome Back, Kotter. When I was a kid, CBC would play old episodes every day at 3:30 during the entire summer. I'll admit it, I grew up wanting to be a hybrid of Wayne Gretzky and Vinnie Barbarino. Watch for the week in review tomorrow, and I'm also going to break down who I think the Sharks should acquire, Souray or Brewer.
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