Sharks @ Predators 160402

Sharks hit the road for the final time in the regular season.  First up Nashville.

TV: CSN CA
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: Carter Hutton; Scott Nichol (Director of Player Development)

Brent Burns was named #3 Star of the Month for the NHL.  Congrats.

Optional morning skate for the Sharks.  Reimer starting tonight.

Hutton starting for the Predators.  He’s 2-0 against the team that signed him to his ELS.

Barracuda vs Reign 160330

Barracuda hope to retain their playoff space and face off against the top team in the division.

And it’s someone’s birthday:

Brothers facing each other for the first time (pro):

Barracuda twitter list | Opponent twitter | Barracuda preview

KDOW live feed | AHL Standings

AHL game summary | Barracuda recap | Gackle Report

Barracuda managed to get three past Budaj (only one from a hard angle), chasing him from the net in the second.  They didn’t need to get any past Howser, and Dell stood strong, making 35 saves.  3-1 win.

Cuda now head out for 6-game road trip before final RS game at home on April 17.  They are back in a playoff position, but need to keep winning to keep it.

Sharks @ Canucks 160329

Clinched! Sharks are back in the playoffs.

TV: CSN CA
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: none

Sharks gave up the first goal, came from behind TWICE, but scored three in the third to put an exclamation point on the game. Donskoi returned to play.

Sharks hit the road for one, opening up a home-and-home against the Canucks.

Canucks have lost their last two games. While not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, in the seven remaining games, the Canucks are essentially playing for pride and jobs next season.  Markstrom starting for Canucks.

Reimer probable starter for Sharks.

Sharks vs Kings 160328

Third game in a row that the Sharks failed to clinch a playoff berth.  Will their luck change against the last team that defeated them in the playoffs?

TV: NBCSN
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent:  GM Dean Lombardi, coach Darryl Sutter

The Stars scored 3 before the Sharks got their first.  4-2 loss.  And another miss at clinching that playoff berth.  And not one man advantage goal, with six attempts.

Sharks are celebration Chia Burns night (special ticket promotion)

Jones is starting.  Donskoi is a game time decision. Spaling out, Haley in.

Quick starting for Kings.

Barracuda vs Gulls 160326

Jon Martin, signed by the Sharks, has joined the Barracuda (ATO). Michael Brodinski should be signing with the Sharks (and signing an ATO to play with the Barracuda for the rest of the season; could debut against brother playing for Ontario).  UPDATE:  both players are with the Barracuda and scheduled make their pro debuts against the Gulls.  Haley has been recalled by the Sharks.

Barracuda twitter list | Opponent twitter | Barracuda preview

KDOW live feed | AHL Standings

AHL game summary | Barracuda recap | Gackle Report

Dell got the shut out.  Goldobin the GWG.

Sharks vs Stars 160326

Sharks attempt to clinch playoffs: take 3.  Stars come to town for the last/third game in season series.  Sharks are 1-1-0 against the Stars this season.

TV: CSN CA
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: Travis Moen, Jason Demers, Antti Niemi; Tom Holy, PR

Sharks were 17-0 when leading 2-0, until Thursday.  Oilers’ Maroon indicated that the Sharks wilt with sustained forecheck (known thing), and the Sharks did not answer the challenge.  Definitely something the Sharks need to change or they won’t be long in the playoffs.

Recent signees Jon Martin and Michael Brodinski are now with the Barracuda (and scheduled to make their pro debuts Saturday night).

Dallas limps into San Jose to play their third/last game of a road trip: Russel is questionable; Seguin and Demers are out. The team lost 1-4 to the Coyotes Thursday night, but are 6-2-2 in their last ten. Stars are pushing to win the Central Division.

Donskoi was injured in Thursday’s game and is questionable to play.  Vlasic, Nieto and Tennyson out.  Jones is the scheduled starter.

And another interesting wrinkle:

And concern (for the Stars) with a slumping Niemi.

Sharks vs Oilers 160324

It’s Star Wars night, and the Sharks hope to explode the death star of missing the playoffs by clinching against the Oilers.

TV: CSN CA
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: head coach Todd McLellan and staff; TV analyst Drew Remenda

The Sharks played good defensive hockey (only giving up one goal), but were unable to solve Elliott.  They even got a three-man advantage by pulling the goalie late in the game on a two-man power play, but never having worked on that in practice, things did not go as well as hoped, and the Sharks were shut out.

Vlasic and Tennyson are still out.

The Oilers have a long list of wounded, some who won’t play for the rest of the season. Maroon may be back on Thursday.  Oilers lost 4-2 over the Coyotes on Tuesday; Oilers haven’t beat the Coyotes (in regulation) in 23 games.  Thursday will be the first time Shark fans can see McDavid in person; he’s contributed to about half of the Oilers’ goals since January All-Star break. Excluding McDavid and Draisaitl, Coach McLellan is exasperated with his forwards.

Polak and the Sharks are not out for revenge/payback against the Oilers’ Nurse, as they’d rather win the game (and clinch the playoff berth).  But he may be the subject of some physicality, but isn’t worried.

If the alternating goalie thing continues, Reimer will be up.

Sharks vs Blues 160322

Sharks hope to clinch playoff berth Tuesday with a win over the Blues, who are looking to avoid a season sweep

TV: CSN CA
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: none

Reimer was perfect against the Coyotes, getting his second shutout with the Sharks as Ward, Hertl and Pavelski got the goals past Smith, even defending strong through some 2-man disadvantages.

Elliot to start for the Blues, who shut out the Canucks 3-0 on Saturday, on his return from injury. The Blues are completing a five-game road trip.  The Blues are pushing for points to gain on division leading Dallas, two points ahead.

Sharks have won the two previous games against the Blues this season, and St Louis is hoping to improve their defense to avoid a season sweep.  On Star Wars night, the Sharks are hoping the Force is with them, and not that the Blues have the Schwartz with them.

Jones is possible as the starter Tuesday.  More after morning skate.

Sharks vs Coyotes 160320

Coyotes come to town, hoping to get more points after being shut out 0-2 by the Lightning.

TV: CSN CA
Satellite radio (click for specific station)
Sharks Radio Network

NHL Standings
NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent: Corey Schwab, prospect goaltending coach

The Sharks came together in Vlasic’s absence, to contain the Rangers (only former Shark Dan Boyle managed to get a puck past Jones — on the PP). And chased Lundqvist out of the net.  Final score: 4-1 Sharks.  Marleau skated in his 1,400th game — the youngest player to ever do so; the 9th to do so with a single franchise, the 30th in NHL history.  And with more points, Thornton climbs the all-time scoring list.  Wingels was inserted into the lineup for Nieto (out 3-4 weeks with a broken knuckle).  DeMelo was recalled and in as well.  Donskoi made an AWESOME no look pass to Ward who started the scoring against the Rangers.

After winning the game over the Sharks Thursday on a late goal from Doan, the Coyotes were shut out by the Lightning behind Domingue.  Smith starting in nets for Arizona on Sunday.

Sunday, the lineup doesn’t change for the Sharks, except that Reimer will be in nets.