Record: 31-10-8, 70 pts Conference Rank: 2nd Division Rank: 1st Top Scorer: Joe Thornton (12 goals, 49 assists, 61 points) Top Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov (27 wins, 2.25 GAA) Midseason Grade: A+
The Sharks have been one of the best teams in the NHL for the last few seasons, so it’s not really surprising to see them at the top of the West again. They’ve struggled mightily in the postseason, however, so none of their current success will matter if they can’t translate it into playoff wins. This year’s team looks better than any Sharks team has in the past, however.
Winning the Dany Heatley sweepstakes this summer may have brought the Sharks just what they needed to gain that postseason success. One of the best pure goal scorers in the game today, the sniper already has 27 goals, and might break 50 if he keeps it up. Even better news for the Sharks is the fact that veteran winger and former captain Patrick Marleau is having a renaissance season, despite being stripped of his captaincy after another failed postseason. Rather than reacting negatively like many other stars would, Marleau has played better without the C, and currently leads the NHL with 31 goals scored. Centering Marleau and Heatley is Joe Thornton, who may be the best passer in the game today.
The Sharks aren’t all offense, either. They have the best penalty kill in the Western Conference, and rank in the top ten teams in the NHL in goals allowed, giving up only 123 goals so far. Nabokov has been a beast between the pipes, and every single one of the Sharks’ starting defensemen have a positive +/- rating.
I think this may be the year that the Sharks put it all together and make a serious run for the Cup. Then again, it’s been said in the past, so it’s all just speculation until they prove they can actually win when it matters.