Hockey Hot Stove: Episode 10

The Sharks Broadcasters are back with Episode 10 of the Hockey Hot Stove. In this special late night / very early morning installment of the Hot Stove, the crew recaps one of the most exciting regular season games in Sharks history, Thursday night's 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Kings.

UPDATED AT 4:51 PM Pacific

It's game day in Southern California as the San Jose Sharks are ready to take on the Los Angeles Kings. A win on Thursday night is all the Sharks need to clinch a berth in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Check out the links below to prepare for the game. Be sure to circle back throughout the day as we'll update the Game Day Blog with current news, video interviews, and stories as they become available.

MURRAY OUT, SHARKS FOCUSED ON KINGS
Mercury News beat writer David Pollak reports that the Sharks will be focused solely on getting things done in LA tonight and expect no help from others. Pollak also writes that Douglas Murray will likely not play, even if the defensemen is given the clear from trainers.
[ Working the Corners ]

SHARKS LOOK TO TAKE CARE OF OWN BUSINESS IN LA
CSN California Sharks Insider Kevin Kurz checks in with his "What to Watch For" game preview where he says the Sharks will have the mentality set to taking care of their own business. Kurz also expects that San Jose will use a similar lineup as fans have seen in the past two games.
[ Sharks Talk ]

SUTTER NOT TAKING SHARKS LIGHTLY
LA  Kings Insider Rich Hammond caught up with Kings coach Darryl Sutter and asked for his impressions on the Sharks recent two game sweep against the Stars.
[ LA Kings Insider ]

KINGS' RICHARDS: "IT GETS YOU READY FOR THE PLAYOFFS"
LA Times reporter Helene Elliot spoke with Kings forward Mike Richards about how a playoff push in the final month of the regular season can prepare a team for a postseason run.
[ Los Angeles Times ]


Read the rest of this blog entry >>

With the Sharks and the Stars set to face each other on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, here are the links you need to read before the game:

McLELLAN: 'WE HAVE TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL'
Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan spoke to members of the media on Tuesday morning following morning skate and talked about the importance of tonight's game and having a good start.
[ SharksTV ]

CLOWE'S PREVIEW
Sharks Radio Play-by-Play broadcaster Dan Rusanowsky spoke to forward Ryane Clowe about tonight's matchup vs the Stars and what the Sharks need to do to win.
[ SharksTV ]

McLELLAN'S 'READ' ON THE ROOM
Mercury News beat writer David Pollak reports that Head Coach Todd McLellan reads the room every game and today he said he liked the energy in the room as the Sharks prepare to face the Dallas Stars.
[ Working the Corners ]

Read the rest of this blog entry >>

Here is The Daily Chomp's Monday Mailbag answering your questions sent in by Twitter (tweet @SanJoseSharks using #AskSJS), Facebook, or email.


What is the rule about penalties expiring when a goal is scored during a 4-on-4 situation?
- Nicole G.

TDC: In the video posted above, you can see a highlight of Joe Pavelski scoring a goal when the Sharks and Stars were each using just four skaters on the ice. This was a result of a penalty served by each squad where the infractions were seperate and not coincidental. Stars forward Vernon Fiddler was off the ice for a Boarding penalty called at 8:56 of the second period. On the ensuing power play opportunity, Sharks forward Logan Couture was called for Interference on the Goalkeeper at 9:05.

Thirty-four seconds later Pavelski scored during the 4-on-4 play. NHL rules on expiration criteria for minor penalties states that because there was no man-advantage during the play, both penalties continue to be served and 4-on-4 play remains. Here is an excerpt from the official rule book (Rule 16 - Minor Penalties) :


Read the rest of this blog entry >>

On March 24 the Sharks Foundation hosted a "Shark for a Day" Fantasy Camp. The camp raises money for the Sharks Foundation and allows men and women to play out a life long dream of skating through the infamous Shark head as a member of the San Jose Sharks hockey club. Below, Randy Lashinski shares his story from this year's camp.

DREAM COME TRUE

(From left to right) Curtis Brown, Ronnie Stern, Jeff Odgers, & Al Iafrate.

What is better than a pick-up or league game of adult hockey? In my opinion, there are two things. The first is teaching a group of children how to play hockey. This I do every Sunday morning with my six-year-old son and enjoy it as much as playing the game myself. The second is skating on HP Pavilion ice with legends like Al Iafrate, Jeff Odgers, Curtis Brown, Mike Ricci, Ronnie Stern, Jamie Baker and Dave Maley. This I did on Saturday, March 24 as part of the Sharks Foundation’s annual “Shark for a Day” Fantasy Camp.

Arriving at the Shark Tank at 7:00 AM Saturday morning to begin my journey with the other participants was a bit intimidating. I had so many thoughts running through my head. My friend Kenny Martin and I signed up for this adventure in December not knowing what to expect, but we were getting more and more excited as we entered the building and signed in. There was no turning back now.

Read the rest of this blog entry >>

The Sharks and Stars are set to play in a pivital game on Saturday night. Here are the links you need to read before the game:

NOT JUST ANOTHER GAME, MURRAY IS QUESTIONABLE
Mercury News beat writer David Pollak says the coaches and players do not avoid looking at this game with greater importance. Pollak also spoke with Murray who will be a game-time decision to play depending on health.
[ Working the Corners ]

NIEMI VS LEHTONEN, SAN JOSE TRENDS WELL AGAINST DALLAS
CSN California writer Kevin Kurz talks about the Sharks previous stats against the Stars and highlights the potential goalie matchup between the two squads.
[ Sharks Talk ]

IT'S PLAYOFF SERIOUS BETWEEN DIVISION RIVALS
Dallas Morning News writer Mike Heika says there is no closer simulation to playoff hockey than in the next two games between the Sharks and Stars. Heika also highlights some of the storied history behind the division rivalry.
[ Dallas Morning News ]

Read the rest of this blog entry >>

Time for my weekly Baker’s Dozen.

1. I love the way Joe Pavelski plays the game of hockey. In the Sharks last four victories (Nashville, Detroit, Boston and Colorado) he has been the 1st star twice and the 2nd star twice. For good measure, he was also a star in the loss in Anaheim. The Big Pavelski uses all of his abilities to the utmost, and when the games are important, he finds a way to elevate his play. Pavelski competes every shift, plays for his teammates, and is about as selfless a player as you can get.
   #SomeoneYouWantOnYourTeam


2. I covered all the mirrors in my home because I’m ashamed to look at myself. Why you ask? Because in the past few weeks I have been cheering for teams that I would never in my wildest dream cheer for, including: Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis and, if you can believe it, Vancouver.
   #MirrorMirrorOnTheWall_Don’tGetMadAtMe_ForRootingForSharks_ToMakeItToTheBall


3. When Florida makes the playoffs they will end a 10-year postseason drought. So the dubious honors of “team that last made the playoffs” goes to the center of the hockey world, aka the Toronto Maple Leafs. The last time the Leafs made the playoffs was the 2003-04 season.
   
   Only 232 miles separates Toronto and Detroit, but they are a lot further apart when it comes to hockey organizations. Both are Original 6 teams, but while one has lost 20 of 25 games and will miss the playoffs for the 7th consecutive season the other will be in the playoffs for the 21st straight year.
   #IGuessHockeyTownIsBetterThanTheCenterOfTheHockeyWorld

Read the rest of this blog entry >>

So in a weird chance of fate Gary Bettman calls in sick and big boys in New York call me to let me know I’m now in charge….

Here’s how my first day on the job goes:

--Reduce the regular season schedule to 70 games. The level of hockey would move to another level. 82 games is just too many games to ask of a player. Teams need their rest and quality practices. I’ll let the revenue guys figure out how to make this work.

--Move struggling franchises to viable Canadian markets. Put teams in Quebec City, Hamilton or a second team in Toronto. Contract from 2 to 4 teams and work to make game.

Read the rest of this blog entry >>

With the Sharks and Pacific Division rival Coyotes set to face each other on Thursday night in Glendale, here are the links you need to read before the game:

MURRAY IS OUT AS WHITE TAKES HIS PLACE
Mercury News beat writer Mark Emmons reports that Douglas Murray will rest with a lower body injury sustained in the previous night's game against the Anaheim Ducks. Emmons also reports the defenseman Colin White will take his place int he lineup.
[ Working the Corners ]

THREE SPOTS, FOUR TEAMS
CSN California writer Ray Ratto shares his thoughts on who the Sharks need to beat in their remaining schedule to lock up a remaining playoff spot.
[ Sharks Talk ]

COYOTES HEALTHY FOR STRETCH RUN
The Arizona Republic beat reporter Jim Gintonio writes that the Sharks can expect to see a full and mostly healthy roster from the Coyotes after some key players have missed games due to injury and suspension.
[ The Arizona Republic ]

Read the rest of this blog entry >>

With the Sharks and Pacific Division rival Ducks set to face each other on Wednesday night in Anaheim, here are the links you need to read before the game:

GALIARDI TO PLAY, NIEMI TO MAKE 16TH CONSECUTIVE START
CSN California beat writer Kevin Kurz reports that Sharks forward TJ Galiardi is expected to return to the lineup after missing some time due to injury. Kurz also reports the goaltender Antti Niemi will make his 16th straight start in the net.
[ Sharks Talk ]

GALIARDI LINE EXPECTED TO BRING SPEED, DUCKS WANT TO BE SPOILERS
TJ Galiardi told Mercury News beat writer David Pollak, "We all skate pretty well. The key for us is just getting behind their D and trying to get a good cycle going." Pollak also spoke with Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau about the Sharks getting Anaheim's best effort despite playoff probabilities.
[ Working the Corners ]

DUCKS & SHARKS HAVE 'HATE FACTOR'
The Orange County Register reporter Jeff Miller spoke with Anaheim's head coach about the Ducks recent success against the Sharks this season. Boudreau attributed the play of his squad to possessing a "hate factor" for San Jose.
[ The Orange County Register ]

ANAHEIM HAS 'OBLIGATION' TO REST OF LEAGUE
The Orange County Register writer Eric Stephens focuses on Boudreau's comments about the Ducks having an obligation to teams still competing to put out the best lineup each night. Stephens also said Boudreau wants to avoid playing young guys just to give them minutes at this point in the year.
[ Ducks Blog ]

SHARKS AND DUCKS PREVIEW
NHL.com previews Saturday night's game, including trends to watch on both sides of the puck.
[ NHL.com ]