Two points forward in the standings but two points back of the Ducks, that's where the Sharks sit after another impressive victory over the Kings. Just thought I'd update the standings and remaining schedule for these five teams, who are each tearing through opponents right now (and conveniently coming up with three-point games whenever they play one another). Incredibly, the four teams separated by a single point have only combined for three regulation losses in their last 40 games. Usually you'll have one or two teams enter the playoffs on a tear, but it seems like everyone's doing it this season, and the West is wide open as its ever been.
The Sharks have five games remaining, and things are even tighter than they were last week. They get a nice rest before playing Phoenix at home on Friday, and face the Kings for the final time this season on Sunday. Seriously, doesn't it feel like they've played the Kings 14 times this season? I'm still saying the Stars are going to drop out of the race by the end of the weekend. They're on the road, playing back-to-back games against the Wings and Preds. Plus, their game against the Ducks next week is the second game of a back-to-back. With everybody winning, each game is huge for teams trying to keep pace.
Ducks - 76 GP, 100 Pts
Canucks - 76 GP, 99 Pts
Stars - 76 GP, 98 Pts
Sharks - 77 GP, 98 Pts
Wild - 77 GP, 98 Pts
Sharks - 5 games, 4 home, 1 road
vs. Coyotes
vs. Kings
at Ducks
vs. Flames
vs. Canucks
Ducks - 6 games, 1 home, 5 road
at Blackhawks
at Blue Jackets
at Blues
vs. Sharks
at Stars
at Blue Jackets
Stars - 6 games, 3 home, 3 road
at Red Wings
at Predators
vs. Blues
at Blue Jackets
vs. Ducks
vs. Blackhawks
Wild - 5 games, 4 home, 1 road
vs. Flames
at Avalanche
vs. Oilers
vs. Oilers
vs. Blues
Canucks - 6 games, 3 home, 3 road
at Kings
vs. Flames
vs. Kings
vs. Avalanche
at Sharks
at Coyotes
Anyway, as for the game itself the Sharks clinched a playoff spot with the victory. It was inevitable at this point, but it's still nice to have it locked up when so many other teams are on the outside looking it. Everybody's on even ground once the postseason begins, and we've been getting a taste of playoff hockey over the last couple weeks with Eastern teams battling for position. I don't care what anybody says, no other sporting event comes close to matching the intensity and entertainment of playoff hockey. I'd gladly trade in future rights to Christmas, Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl and Labor Day for those 2 1/2 months of non-stop, hard-hitting action.
Great performance by Marleau against the Kings and I'm still trying to decide which of his goals was prettier, that perfect one-timer or the beautiful deke that sealed the game in the third. Good to see the captain notch a couple after an eight-game goal drought, and it was also nice to see another line contributing other than the top unit. Nabokov had a great game, rebounding from his shaky (terrible) start against Carolina on Saturday, and the defense did a lot better job clearing the crease and allowing Nabby to see shots coming through.
Rissmiller was back in the lineup after sitting out as a healthy scratch on the road, and Goc took the night off. Interesting to see the team's plan with those two, and who would you rather see in the lineup? I think Goc has played some of his best hockey of the year lately, even if the results don't prove it, showing some great effort on the fourth line. I guess Rissmiller is the guy to play against the Kings, since 7 of his 19 points this season have come against them. He adds some physical play, but nobody's going to mistake him for Kirk Maltby out there, and his shots usually miss the mark by seven feet. Hannan sat against the Kings, resting a sore groin, and Davison didn't look out of place playing his first game in a month.
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