The Sharks are currently tied with New Jersey as the second-best team in the NHL, with 63 points based on their 28-10-7 record. Between their 14-4-5 home record, 14-6-2 road record, and +30 goal differential (3rd behind Chicago and New Jersey respectively) San Jose is definitely one the most balanced and feared teams in the league this season.
The high-powered Sharks are loaded up front, with three scorers already over 45 points and two others at 30 or more for the first half of the season. C Joe Thornton (58 points, 11 goals, 47 assists) leads San Jose in points and assists, with C Patrick Marleau (46 points, 29 goals, 17 assists) topping the goals column, while LW Dany Heatley (48 points), D Dan Boyle (34 points), and LW Ryane Clowe round out this potent top-five.
San Jose's defense may still have some challenges. While Dan Boyle, Rob Blake, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic provide a solid threesome, Blake has missed a few games due to injury, and is not really much depth beyond that point. The Sharks are definitely young at the blue line this season, and the team will need to maybe rely more heavily than desired on their goaltending if they wish to match, or improve upon, their NHL-best record from last year.
Luckily, the Sharks do have one of the best goalies in the league in number one Evgeni Nabokov. Nabokov (24-7-7, 2.36 GAA, .921 save %) is ranked 10th in the NHL in goals against average, tied for 9th in save percentage, and ranked 3rd in the wins column, so the team is very solid in net, which is always a necessity for any successful Stanley Cup contender come playoff time. In reserve, look for backup Thomas Greiss – only one year of experience – to play only sparingly, meaning that Nabokov will need to endure a grueling schedule between the pipes in 2009-2010.
This is obviously a team which has been amongst the top few being discussed as true favorites to take The Cup this season. Tickets for the San Jose Sharks are a must have for any true hockey fan, because regardless of where your personal loyalties lie, this team plays a brand of hockey that appeals to any true fan of the sport. Get yours now, and buckle up for the ride of your life as the Sharks finish the season strong and go into the playoffs as one of the top teams to beat.
