San Jose Sharks News

Todd McLellan plans to keep mixing lines as playoffs approach
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March 15
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Don't expect Sharks Coach Todd McLellan to establish four forward lines and stick with them between now and the end of the regular season in preparation for the playoffs. In fact, he plans to do just the opposite. "We'll be able to play some people in different situations than we have been," McLellan said Sunday. "You might see the big guys back together some nights, you might see some lines that are different just in case we need it later on." McLellan — who did start Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley on the same line against the Ducks — indicated he also planned to alter his strategy of trying to match his top scorers against the opposition's."
Sharks' slow start dooms them in loss to Ducks
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March 15
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle didn't mince his words Sunday night after a disastrous first period led to a 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. "We coasted into the playoffs last year and that was exactly the type of game we don't want to have going into the playoffs this year," Boyle said. Later he added: "If we're going to coast in, we're going to coast our way right out." Boyle was in the visiting locker room at the Honda Center, about 10 feet away from the bench where he sat last April and dissected San Jose's playoff elimination by the same Ducks. This time, though, he was reacting to the 68th game of the regular season — a contest that saw the Sharks fall behind 3-0 in the first period as ..."
Sharks update: Malhotra's actions costly but don't upset McLellan
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March 14
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Malhotra's actions costly but don't upset McLellan The Sharks could have used Manny Malhotra in the third period Saturday as a 2-1 lead slipped away into a 3-2 overtime loss against Florida. But for 17 minutes, he watched the game from the penalty box as punishment for delivering some payback on a Jason Garrison hit to Joe Pavelski. The Panthers' Garrison slammed Pavelski's face into the glass just 22 seconds into the period. Malhotra immediately jumped Garrison, and the two had a short scrap. But the result was an extended stay in the sin bin as Malhotra was slapped with instigator and fighting penalties as well as a 10-minute misconduct. (Garrison received boarding and fighting ..."
Hockey's code of conduct on display
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March 14
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Gary Peterson
"On the surface — and when it comes to games played on ice, the surface is all-important — the Sharks had all the requisite ingredients for a whopping good hand-wringing. There was the false hope generated by their quick and easy 2-0 lead over the Florida Panthers. There was their inability to supersize that lead into something more meaningful. There was their foot unaccountably coming off the accelerator, as the Panthers insinuated themselves back into the game. Finally, there was the overtime goal that snaked its way past San Jose goalie Thomas Greiss, which sent a sedate Saturday afternoon crowd murmuring out into the blinding sunshine. "We let it get away from us," coach Todd McLellan ..."
This time, Sharks blow lead as Florida wins 3-2 in OT
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March 14
San Jose Mercury News
 
"After setting an NHL record for consecutive come-from-behind victories, the Sharks tried something a little different Saturday afternoon. They squandered a lead. The Sharks' blew an early two-goal advantage, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Florida Panthers on a Bryan Allen goal at HP Pavilion. The change in the slow-start, quick-finish script left the Sharks on the losing end this time. "We came out with a little fire in our belly, but we let it get away from us," coach Todd McLellan said. "That's the inconsistency that's been in our game. Obviously the guys heard the message about the start. But now we've reversed the trend and didn't finish very well." The Sharks were coming off a stretch ..."
Florida Panthers tackle San Jose Sharks
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March 14
Miami Herald
 
"With one glaring exception, the Panthers have fared pretty well against teams seemingly out of their class this season. Be it Chicago, Pittsburgh or Buffalo, the Panthers have played the best teams in the league very tough and have pulled out some impressive victories. Add San Jose to the list of upset victims. The Panthers found themselves trailing by two goals going into the second period, but stuck around and ended up defeating the Western Conference-leading Sharks 3-2 in overtime at HP Pavilion on Saturday. So what is it about the Panthers playing so well against elite opponents? With the exception of the Capitals (winless in five games) and a 3-0 loss to the Canucks, the Panthers have ..."
Panthers rally from 2-0 deficit, top Sharks in OT
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March 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"After his team was forced to play in its own end so much of the first period, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer went into the dressing room for intermission and thought about what to do. "Punt," he recalled, laughing. Down two goals to the team with the second-most points in the NHL, the Panthers didn't retreat. They rallied. Keith Ballard scored in the second period, Shawn Matthias tied it in the third and Bryan Allen fired in the winning goal in overtime as the Panthers stunned the Sharks 3-2 Saturday afternoon at HP Pavilion. It was the Panthers' first win in San Jose since Jan. 8, 2000. Coming off a shutout loss to Colorado, they ended this three-game trip as they started it in Minnesota – ..."
San Jose Sharks' comeback win leaves coach unimpressed
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March 13
San Jose Mercury News
 
"It's official: The Sharks set an NHL record Thursday night. They became the first team to win three straight games, all in regulation, in which they entered the final period trailing. They also set a franchise record in the 8-5 victory over Nashville. The six-goal third period that made it all possible — the victory and the NHL record — was the biggest third period in Sharks history. The Sharks had a six-goal second period in 1996 against Hartford. None of this is likely to soften coach Todd McLellan's view of the game. "I looked up at the board at one point and we were being outshot 30-10 three quarters of the way through the second period," McLellan said Thursday night. "Odds are you ..."
McLellan a little sour after 8-5 win
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March 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Whew. Quite the wild ride at HP Pavilion. A few odds and ends that didn't make the print edition coverage of an 8-5 Sharks victory that may be one for the books. As in the NHL record books. Still checking, but there was one report that the Sharks became the first NHL team to win three consecutive games in which they were trailing going into the third period. Which maybe should make Todd McLellan happy, but that wasn't exactly his mood after the game as he chose to focus on the first two periods, not the third. Much of that's in the paper tomorrow, but here are a few choice comments that didn't make the cut. "This isn't going to happen again. If it does it'll be a miracle," he said of the ..."
Sharks score 6 goals in third period, beat Nashville 8-5
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March 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Two weeks ago, Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter shared a room at Team USA's quarters during the Winter Olympics. Thursday night, Pavelski put a less than perfect spin-o-rama move on Suter that was good enough to score what proved to be the winning goal in the Sharks' wild 8-5 come-from-behind victory over the Nashville Predators. "He was just being a good roommate," Pavelski joked afterward. "But I think he needs a little help from his goalie there, too." Nashville goalie Dan Ellis allowed only two San Jose goals over the first 40 minutes as the Predators led 4-2 and dominated the Sharks by a 34-11 margin on the shot clock. But the Sharks scored six times in the final 20 minutes and came away ..."
Niclas Wallin finding his way with San Jose Sharks
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March 11
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The Sharks acquired veteran Niclas Wallin from the Carolina Hurricanes last month because they knew they could use one more shutdown defenseman — and so far he has been exactly that. But they also were aware they were getting someone who has been a clutch playoff performer, a 35-year-old veteran who became known as "The Secret Weapon" in Carolina because all three of his postseason goals came in overtime. According to Wallin, that says more about playoff hockey than it does about him. "It shows how everybody is involved, how everybody needs to chip in to win in the playoffs," said Wallin, who isn't known for his offensive skills and has scored more than two goals only once in nine NHL ..."
With playoffs approaching, San Jose Sharks need to polish their game
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March 10
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Mark Purdy
"You will be happy to learn that the Olympics did not totally destroy the Sharks. That was a worry for rabid followers of the team, you know. The theory went this way: The eight Sharks players who represented their countries in Vancouver would return to San Jose as complete psychological and physical wrecks. I was at practice this week. I saw no wrecks. I did see a team that has won two of three games since the Olympic break. I did see a team that still is leading the NHL Western Conference. I did see Dan Boyle. The gold-medal defenseman was taking off his skates. He mentioned the Olympics only when I brought it up. "That was, what, just over a week ago, right?" Boyle asked. "Seems like a ..."
Sharks' Scott Nichol skates, shoots at practice, but no contact yet
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March 9
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Four days after suffering a shoulder injury when he was shoved into the boards in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, center Scott Nichol was back on the ice practicing with his teammates Monday. He said he felt good enough to skate and shoot the puck, but stopped short of taking part in any contact drills. "I went out there and tested it a little bit today, kind of got my legs under me," Nichol said. "It's coming around. It hasn't been a week yet and my expectations are it's a lot better than I ever thought it would be." Nichol said he's getting more motion from his shoulder every day and right now it comes down to strength and pain: "It's about the strength coming back and the pain ..."
Nichol doesn't verbally blast player who hit him
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March 7
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Nichol doesn't verbally blast player who hit him Scott Nichol was a little more forgiving than others have been for the illegal hit by Montreal center Maxim Lapierre that sidelined the Sharks center with a shoulder injury. He and Lapierre both play on the third or fourth line, Nichol said Saturday, and "you play right on the edge. Sometimes, for myself, you're going hard to the net, and things like that happen." Lapierre earned a four-game suspension for a "late, careless hit" that drove Nichol into the end boards in the third period Thursday night. "I'm no saint by any means — I've been suspended, too, before — and in the heat of the battle, you don't mean to do it," Nichol said. "You're ..."
Sharks score two in third to beat Columbus
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March 7
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The pattern was a familiar one. Sharks get a late third-period goal against a hot goaltender for a come-from-behind victory. It happened that way Thursday night against Montreal, and it happened that way again Saturday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as goals by Dany Heatley and Joe Pavelski gave the Sharks a 2-1 victory. And though fans might have been frustrated that the Sharks came within five minutes of losing to a team that was 30 points behind them in the standings, players and their coach certainly didn't see it that way. "Frustrating? Not when we win. It's satisfying," said Pavelski, who scored with 4:40 left in the game. "We're in the mindset that you don't get frustrated ..."
Sharks' Nichol out indefinitely
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March 6
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Scott Nichol might have picked himself off the ice after being slammed into the boards by a blind-side hit Thursday night. But he still paid a physical price. Sharks coach Todd McLellan said "we're hoping" Nichol will be out of the Sharks' lineup only seven to 10 days. McLellan coyly referred to the injury as "upper body." But Nichol's right shoulder took the brunt of impact when Maxim Lapierre hammered him from behind — earning the Montreal center a four-game suspension. Nichol left the game with his right arm tucked protectively to his chest. "When you see a guy go into the boards like that, you hold your breath," McLellan said. "The nice part was he got up." Even before the NHL issued a ..."
Torrey Mitchell has some sweet memories of the Montreal Canadiens
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March 5
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Some sweet Canadien memories for Mitchell Sharks center Torrey Mitchell grew up in Montreal, so any game against the Canadiens brings back a few memories. As a boy, he said Thursday morning, he attended two or three games a year at the old Montreal Forum or Molson Center and all were special events. For one when he was about 10, his family sat in the four seats at the forum that were between the two benches. "Patrick Roy was coming out on the ice, and I jumped up and hit him on the shoulder, and the security guard was yelling at me," Mitchell said, adding that the pat on the back "wasn't vicious." A couple of years later, Mitchell said, he went to a pregame practice, and Montreal captain ..."
Sharks get back on track, rallying by Montreal
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March 5
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Trailing for most of what turned out to be a very chippy battle against the Montreal Canadiens, the Sharks' frustration was building Thursday night. Dan Boyle hit the crossbar on a second-period penalty shot. Fifteen seconds later, Dany Heatley blasted one off the post. Early in the third, Scott Nichol did the same in a play that ended with him being pushed awkwardly into the boards by Montreal's Maxim Lapierre with no penalty being called. But by the end of the game, San Jose had engineered a come-from-behind victory, beating the Canadiens 3-2 and ending their two-game losing streak on third-period goals by Heatley and Manny Malhotra. "It does get frustrating, but at the same time we were ..."
San Jose Sharks make no moves on NHL trade deadline
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March 4
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The NHL trade deadline passed Wednesday, and Sharks general manager Doug Wilson decided to stand pat. "There were a couple of players we had been talking about that we didn't know if their teams were going to move them or not, and then they decided not to," Wilson said. Wilson, who had been in the market for a solid defenseman, acquired Niclas Wallin from the Carolina Hurricanes for that role on Feb. 7 rather than take his chances right at the deadline. "We knew that if we waited, the price would go up, and I think you saw that reflected today," said Wilson, who characterized the 29 deals that did take place as "adjustments and tweaking." While the general manager said the lack of activity ..."
Sharks Olympians return, show off their spoils
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March 3
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Joe Pavelski joined the celebratory news conference, almost begrudgingly. He sat at the end of a table, wearing his silver medal while four others sat next to him wearing gold. It could have been different. If Team USA had scored in overtime in the Olympic finale, Pavelski would be the only guy at the table wearing gold, with Canadians Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley in silver. "It isn't bad," Pavelski said of his medal. "But it isn't great, either." The uniqueness of Olympic hockey is that it borrows players from the NHL during its season, divides them by nations and lets them have at it for two weeks - only to return them to their respective NHL teams, as if ..."
Joe Pavelski in no mood to celebrate silver medal yet
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March 3
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Pavelski not ready to celebrate silver Joe Pavelski wasn't ready to let himself feel good about Team USA's silver-medal finish in the Winter Olympics. "We've heard enough people say that it could have gone either way, that it was such an exciting game from a fan standpoint that it's tough to see anybody lose," the Sharks center said after Tuesday's morning skate. "But it's still one of those things. We lost. We didn't get it. "I don't think you really ever quite get over it," he added, "but we understand it was a significant achievement." Team USA wasn't favored to win any medal, but went 5-0 to reach the tournament's final game before suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to Canada. Overall, ..."
San Jose Sharks look for lessons from Olympic experience
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March 3
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Gary Peterson
"You can't go to the Olympics without bringing home a present. Tuesday morning, after a short practice, five San Jose Sharks shared the best souvenirs money can't buy. "You haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face in 48 hours," said Joe Thornton, flashing the gold medal Canada won Sunday with an instant-classic overtime victory over Team USA. "I think the rest of the guys are about the same." Pause. "I'm not sure about Pavs." Laughter. Thornton, of course, was one of four Sharks (along with Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley and Dan Boyle) who played for victorious Canada. Joe Pavelski was the only San Jose player from the vanquished U.S. team. Two days after the game that catapulted the ..."
Sharks fall to Devils 4-3
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March 3
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov had hoped a solid effort Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils would end all the questioning about his poor showing last week against Team Canada in the Winter Olympics. But after the Devils rang up a four-goal lead on their way to a 4-3 victory, the questions didn't go away. "I wasn't sitting there thinking about the Olympics," he said. "It's behind me, and I just wanted to get a win." The Sharks got back into the game on two third-period goals by Devin Setoguchi and one by Joe Pavelski. But Nabokov had given up earlier tallies to Dainius Zubrus, Mark Fraser, Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac, and the phrase most often used in the locker room was "too ..."
Sharks need to leave Olympics behind
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March 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Evgeni Nabokov, above and below, had a game to forget, yielding six goals to Canada. Evgeni Nabokov thought about the Olympics, fell to his knees and wept hysterically for a good ten minutes. Yeah, sure he did. In the comfortable one-thing-always-leads-to-another world of the modern conspiracy theorist, whatever failings he might demonstrate in the Stanley Cup playoffs will be directly attributable to Nabokov's six-goal pummeling by the Canadians in the quarterfinals. In his world, well, let's put it this way: The Sharks' first goaltender was polite when asked if he worries about any lingering hangover from the Russian Olympic flameout, as the 7-3 loss to Canada can be fairly termed, ..."
San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov not bothered by Olympic debacle
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March 2
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"The body language was loose, confident and crystal clear, with no need for translation or pity. Evgeni Nabokov looked fresh, stopped almost everything fired his way during the Sharks' practice Monday, then strode into the dressing room and plopped down at his locker like he owned the place. The actual language was unmistakable, too. "You guys are waiting for me, right?" Nabokov said, surveying the reporters milling around. "Come on, let's go." Definitely not flinching or sheepish. Amazingly eager, you might say, to discuss his role in an international sporting debacle."
Ousted Sharks coach Wilson gets his golden opportunity
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February 28
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Mark Purdy
"Inside, the man must be smirking like crazy. Outside, he is trying to take the high road. But he is still Ron Wilson. His personality can never be completely forechecked. This afternoon, Wilson will be coaching the U.S. hockey team here as it attempts to win an Olympic gold medal against Canada. But two years ago, Wilson was fired as coach of the Sharks after yet another playoff failure. Wilson's success here, then, must feel like a form of deliverance. Yes? Isn't it proof that he wasn't the problem in San Jose? "I didn't come into these games to justify my coaching career," Wilson said with typical bluntness when the issue was broached. "I think I'm seventh in NHL wins - and close to ..."
Ex-Shark Steve Shields takes over goal at practice for Olympians Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas Greiss
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February 25
San Jose Mercury News
 
"With Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas Greiss at the Winter Olympics, the Sharks have known for months they would need to find someone else to mind the nets when practices could resume Wednesday. The player they found turned out to be someone who held that job for them a decade ago, Steve Shields. Shields, who last played in the NHL in 2005-06 and now lives in Southern California, called Sharks assistant general manager Wayne Thomas to talk about an online coaching program, and one thing led to another. "Wayne and I are old friends, and we talk a lot about goaltending," Shields, 38, said. "I was coming up to show Wayne some coaching software that I've developed, and he said bring your equipment." ..."
Boyle makes impact in first game
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February 18
Toronto Sun
 
"Team Canada defenceman Dan Boyle has come quite a ways in four years. It was a long ride from the taxi squad in Italy to driving the bus in Vancouver. The 33-year-old Ottawa native led Team Canada in ice time in their opening game 8-0 win over Norway Tuesday night with 20 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time, but despite being asked to play such a large role by Canadian coach Mike Babcock, Boyle isn't taking anything for granted heading into this afternoon's game against Switzerland. "I didn't know what to expect. None of us knew really knew what to expect," said Boyle, who added two assists and was a team-best plus-4 in the victory. "Everybody plays tons of minutes on their own team. On ..."
Thornton's done with Swiss diss
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February 18
Toronto Star
 columnist Damien Cox
"For four years, Joe Thornton's been hearing it. Thornton, you'll recall, played for Davos in the Swiss league during the NHL lockout. He learned to ski during that championship season, and even met his future wife, Tabea. The down side, however, is that ever since Canada was shut out by Switzerland at the 2006 Winter Olympics Thornton's Swiss buddies have taken great joy in frequently reminding him of it. "You know, saying stuff like how could our little country of eight million people beat a powerhouse like Canada with 30 million people," laughed Thornton on Wednesday. "Well, it'll never happen again." Not quite a Broadway Joe guarantee from Jumbo Joe, but defiant nonetheless. When the ..."
San Jose Sharks scatter for Olympic break
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February 15
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Team togetherness ended Sunday. After 11 nights on the road, the Sharks returned on their charter jet to San Jose in the wee hours of the morning and scattered. Eight players were off to the Winter Olympics within hours. Everybody else? For nine days, it's rest and relaxation. It's every man for himself and his family — with some limits (no downhill skiing, please) and exceptions (injured players whose names are on an NHL-approved list can report for treatments). Rob Blake and his family might head to Southern California. Jed Ortmeyer and his wife are going to Maui. Ryane Clowe is off to Newfoundland to visit family and friends. Even coach Todd McLellan is off to Lake Tahoe for a few days. ..."
Sharks' Olympians will make a quick turnaround in San Jose
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February 14
San Jose Mercury News
 
"For the eight Sharks heading to Vancouver today to represent five countries in the Winter Olympics, San Jose was just one more stop on a monthlong road trip. And not much of a stop at that, considering that some of them were home for as few as six hours. The charter flight after Saturday night's 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres wasn't expected to land at the San Jose airport until about 2 a.m. All of the Olympians were flying commercially, and at least three were booked on an 11 a.m. flight from San Francisco — the only Bay Area airport with nonstops to Vancouver. "Land and go," Joe Thornton said, "but it'll be worth it." Players have been trying not to be distracted by all the pre-Olympic ..."
Ugly loss in Buffalo sends San Jose Sharks into break for Olympics
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February 14
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Patrick Marleau now has one more reason to be glad he's one of the eight Sharks going to the Olympics. "We get a chance to go and play another hockey game," he said, "and put this one behind us." His teammates who won't be competing in Vancouver now have to wait until next month to erase the memory of Saturday night's 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres that was precisely the kind of ugly hockey game coach Todd McLellan said he didn't want to see going into the NHL's two-week break. Part of the reason could have been fatigue at the end of a trip in which the Sharks won four of the six. Part of the reason could have been several players were battling stomach flu. "That's going around, but I ..."
Sabres torch Sharks before break
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February 14
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Sabres' winless streak is dead. Maybe now they can rest in peace. The Sabres finally ended their worst slide of the season Saturday, and they did so against one of the best and hottest teams in the NHL. Buffalo took down the San Jose Sharks, scoring the first three goals to earn a 3-1 decision in HSBC Arena. The victory was as timely as it was needed. It was the Sabres' final game before the Olympic break. They had no desire to spend two weeks lamenting a terrible stretch. Instead, they can spend their NHL vacation thinking about their one-game outing instead of the 0-4-2 and 2-7-3 skids that preceded it. "It was good that we could go into the break feeling good," Sabres ..."
Sharks trade Jody Shelley to Rangers
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February 13
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The Sharks will be without one of the NHL's heavyweight enforcers tonight when they finish their six-game trip here against the Buffalo Sabres. Left wing Jody Shelley, who dropped the gloves in 33 fights since coming to the Sharks in January 2008, was traded to the New York Rangers on Friday for a conditional pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft. What the Sharks also get is an open roster spot, more breathing room under the salary cap and added flexibility when it comes to bringing up rookies from Worcester. Logan Couture, for example, earns more than twice the NHL's $500,000 minimum when he plays in San Jose, and Jamie McGinn makes almost as much. "The decision was made in the organization's ..."
San Jose Sharks keep Patrick Marleau on second line for Red Wings game
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February 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"It could have been a final chance for Detroit coach Mike Babcock to get a firsthand look at the line that everyone expects him to keep together when Team Canada begins its pursuit of Olympic gold next week in Vancouver. But Sharks coach Todd McLellan decided that it was in his team's best interest to split Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau onto separate lines at the start of Thursday night's game against the Red Wings. "We have to look at history and last night at Columbus we started them together and didn't have a lot going on," McLellan said. "When we split them up, we got going." Devin Setoguchi joined Thornton and Heatley while Marleau stayed at left wing on a line with ..."
Evgeni Nabokov shines in San Jose Sharks' win over Detroit Red Wings
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February 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"There was Evgeni Nabokov extending his stick as he fell backward to the ice to block a shot by Pavel Datsyuk. There was the acrobatic move to rob Henrik Zetterberg early in the second, the quick glove that snared Nicklas Lidstrom's slap shot from the blue line in the third. Altogether, Nabokov had a career-high 50 saves Thursday night, and the Sharks had an exhausting 3-2 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings, the one team that has given them fits all season. San Jose was outshot by a 2-to-1 margin, but goals from Joe Thornton and rookie Dwight Helminen in just his third game as a Shark kept them in the game. In the shootout, Patrick Marleau beat Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard to end ..."
Nabokov's 50 saves befuddle Red Wings, who lose in shootout
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February 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Patrick Marleau had the only goal in the shootout and with Evgeni Nabokov's 50 saves, the Red Wings lost to the Sharks, 3-2, tonight at Joe Louis Arena. Pavel Datsyuk shot first for the Wings, but was wide on a backhand attempt. Joe Pavelski went first for the Sharks. He tried to slow momentum, but Jimmy Howard stopped his shot with a glove save. Jason Williams was next for Detroit, but Nabokov used both leg pads for the save. Ryan Clowe's try for the Sharks was wide to the left. Todd Bertuzzi was stoned on the Wings' third attempt and Marleau deked Howard and scored to end the game. "I came in and just waited for him to make a move," Marleau said. "He tried for the poke check and I was ..."
Sharks 3, Wings 2 (SO): Another shootout shutout
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February 12
Detroit News
 
"Sooner or later, you figured the Red Wings would have to get a second shot past goalie Evegni Nabokov. After 46 shots and numerous quality scoring chances, the law of averages was way in their favor. And the goal did indeed come, but confirmation from the video review board in Toronto had to be secured before it counted. Jason Williams put a slick move on defenseman Kent Huskins and fired a shot under the crossbar. Initially it was ruled no goal and play continued. But after a stoppage and a review, the Wings had tied the game at 2-2 with 7:05 left. After the scoreless overtime, Patrick Marleau, after five shooters were denied, beat Jimmy Howard to give the Sharks a 3-2 win. It was the ..."
Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom expects to play tonight
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February 11
Michigan Live
 
"Update from the Detroit Red Wings' morning skate on Thursday: Tomas Holmstrom (bone bruise in left knee) said he will play tonight against San Jose. "It was a big difference from yesterday to today,'' Holmstrom said. "It's going to be a big test for sure. I need to get these games. It's going to be a tough one for sure, but I may as well get into it right away.'' Coach Mike Babcock has a contingency plan in case Holmstrom can't play. Brad May will skate in the pregame warm-ups. "We'll have an extra in warm-up and we'll decide at that time,'' Babcock said. If Holmstrom plays, Babcock said he'll use him on the fourth line and on the power play. "When you haven't practiced, it's going to be ..."
Sharks lose 3-0 in Columbus
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February 11
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Sharks coach Todd McLellan had been concerned about his team's focus hours before the first puck dropped Wednesday night. "We can't look ahead for whatever reason," he said after the morning skate, "whether it's the Olympians, whether it's the players that aren't going there thinking about what they might do with their families." And after the Columbus Blue Jackets skated away with a 3-0 shutout victory that ended San Jose's nine-game winning streak away from HP Pavilion, McLellan confirmed that, yes, he thought focus was part of the problem. He didn't name names, but less than one week before they're expected to skate together for Team Canada, the Sharks coach did break up the top line of ..."
Jackets notebook: Sharks' minds on Olympics?
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February 11
Columbus Dispatch
 
"All three members of the San Jose Sharks'No. 1 forward line are headed to the Winter Olympics next week to play for Team Canada. Last night against the Blue Jackets, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley looked as if they were saving themselves for Vancouver. At least that's what Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda thought. The Sharks' most lethal line was a nonfactor in the Jackets' 3-0 win in Nationwide Arena. "I don't want to say something stupid, but in the second period I was thinking, 'Why are they playing like this?' " said Hejda, who will represent the Czech Republic. "They weren't as dangerous as they usually are. Maybe it's because they are going to the Olympics and didn't want ..."
Blue Jackets 3, Sharks 0: Feel-good story
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February 11
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The defining moment of the Blue Jackets' 3-0 win over the San Jose Sharks last night also is the perfect snapshot of what has taken place in three games under interim coach Claude Noel. Derick Brassard saucered a pass to Jake Voracek for a goal at 8:40 of the second period, then ran in his skates almost 40 feet to celebrate Voracek's first goal in 26 games. It was a highlight-reel goal from two highly skilled players who seem to have had a burden lifted. And Brassard's response was the purest form of one of Noel's favorite words: joy. "I was so happy for Jake," Brassard said. "He scored, and it was a big goal for us, to go up 2-0. "I couldn't wait to get over to him and celebrate." The ..."
Sharks might be perfect opponent as Olympic break looms for Red Wings
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February 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"No team brings out the best in the Red Wings quite like the San Jose Sharks, who, fortuitously enough, will be at Joe Louis Arena tonight -- just as the Wings are running out of time to get on the roll they've been talking about all week. The Wings are 3-0 this season against the top team in Western Conference, most recently earning a 4-2 win Feb. 2 in San Jose. "We match up well against them," goalie Jimmy Howard said. "We both play the same system, the same style, so it's usually whoever goes out there and sticks to their game plan the best ... comes out successfully." The Wings badly need success: Their one point in Tuesday's 4-3 shoot-out loss at St. Louis wasn't enough to get them ..."
Sharks will open 2010-11 season in Stockholm
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February 10
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The Sharks are going on their longest trip ever to open a new season — and that says a lot considering they once flew to Tokyo to do just that. The NHL made it official Tuesday: The Sharks will be one of six teams opening next season in Europe, with two games against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Stockholm on Oct. 8 and 9. Other two-game series being played overseas involve the Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes in Prague, and the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricane in Helsinki. The Sharks were asked to open the present season in Europe, but general manager Doug Wilson objected because of the extra travel in an Olympic year with an already compressed schedule. At the time, he said he would ..."
Ron Wilson juggles responsibilities
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February 10
San Jose Mercury News
 
"These days, it's not likely that anything gets Ron Wilson's undivided attention for very long. There's his day job as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that has undergone a major transformation in the past 10 days with two blockbuster trades. There's his other high-profile job as coach of Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he will be reunited with one of his former Sharks players, Joe Pavelski. And then there's the fact that his boss, longtime friend and former college roommate, Brian Burke, is dealing with a family tragedy that is both personal and public, the death of his 21-year-old son Brendan in a car wreck Friday. "It's just not fair what happened," said ..."
Sharks get the bounces in victory over Toronto Maple Leafs
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February 9
San Jose Mercury News
 
"In the Center of the Hockey Universe, the Sharks were "... well, let coach Todd McLellan describe his team's play at the start of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night. "We were in sand and clearly outworked," he said. "I thought we were sluggish and slow for whatever reason." McLellan's answer was to move left wing Ryane Clowe back onto the second line with Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi. And when the final buzzer sounded, goals by Pavelski and Clowe — each of them set up by Setoguchi — were the difference as the Sharks escaped with a 3-2 victory. The come-from-behind win might not have been pretty — lucky bounces helped on all three San Jose goals, including the ..."
Sharks strengthen defense with trade
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February 8
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Seeking depth on defense with an eye toward the playoffs, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson on Sunday picked up the veteran defenseman that the entire NHL knew he was after. The Sharks acquired the Carolina Hurricanes' Niclas Wallin and a fifth-round pick in the 2010 NHL draft for San Jose's second-round pick in the same draft, a selection previously obtained from the Buffalo Sabres. "He's a very big body," Wilson said of the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Wallin, "and he plays his best hockey in the playoffs. He's mentally tough, scored some very big goals and is a competitive guy." Each of Wallin's three postseason goals have come in overtime. Wallin, 34, is in the final season of a four-year ..."
Canes send Wallin to Sharks
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February 8
Raleigh News & Observer
 
"It was the day after Christmas, and Niclas Wallin was about to play his 500th game for the Carolina Hurricanes when the defenseman sat back to reflect and reminisce - on the Canes, his teammates, winning the 2006 Stanley Cup, the future. "This is my team," he said. "I'm really proud of what I've been a part of here. "It's been the best time of my life. I've got kids and that's the top of the mountain, but this has been a pleasure." At the time, Wallin had given no thought to the notion he might play for a team other than the Hurricanes before the season ended - that he would be asked to waive the no-trade clause in his contract, again, and accept a trade that would make sense for the ..."
Giguere's expertise on San Jose could help Leafs
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February 8
Toronto Star
 
"Maple Leafs goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is somewhat of a living encyclopedia on the San Jose Sharks. Having spent eight seasons in Anaheim prior to his trade to Toronto a week ago, Giguere has seen the Sharks rise to become an elite team, and the personable goalie knows enough to warn his new teammates about Monday night's encounter with San Jose at the Air Canada Centre. "Stay out of the penalty box because their power play is devastating," Giguere said as the Leafs practised Sunday after their best game of the season – a 5-0 shutout of the Ottawa Senators – Saturday on home ice. The Sharks also have the most powerful line in the Western Conference, if not the entire NHL with Joe ..."
Sharks acquire defenseman Niclas Wallin from Hurricanes
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February 8
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Looking for depth on defense with an eye toward the playoffs, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has picked up veteran blue-liner Niclas Wallin from the Carolina Hurricane. The Sharks acquired Wallin and the Hurricanes' fifth-round pick in the 2010 NHL draft for the second-round pick in the same draft previously obtained from the Buffalo Sabres. "He's a very big body," Wilson said of the 6-foot-3, 220-pound defenseman, "and he plays his best hockey in the playoffs. He's mentally tough, scored some very big goals and a competitive guy." Wallin, 34, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $1.725 million this season. The Hurricanes' fourth-round pick in the 2000 entry draft, Wallin ..."