With the Sharks and the Blackhawks set to face each other on Friday night at HP Pavilion at San Jose, here are the links you need to read before the game:

COACH, TEAM HAS CONFIDENCE IN NIEMI
Sharks head coach Todd McLellan told the media this morning that Antti Niemi is 'due for a good game and we believe in him' when asked about his starting goaltender..
[ SharksTV ]

BOYLE RETURNS, NIEMI VS. CRAWFORD IN NET
Mercury News beat writer David Pollak reports that defenseman Dan Boyle will return to the lineup after missing Wednesday night's contest against Calgary with the flu and touches on center Logan Couture quietly stringing together a nice points streak.
[ Working the Corners ]

SHUTTING DOWN 'CAPTAIN SERIOUS' AND 'CLARK KANE'
CSN California beat writer Kevin Kurz reports on what the Sharks must do in order to shutdown a talented Blackhawks scoring attack headlined by captain Jonathan Toews and winger Patrick Kane.
[ Sharks Talk ]

STAYING POSITIVE
ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers talks with Towes about the Blackhawks' six-game losing streak and how the team has been trying to stay positive.
[ ESPN Chicago ]

BEHIND ENEMY LINES
The Blackhawks have listed defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador on their injury report, indicating they will not play tonight against the Sharks. Replacing them in the lineup will be Sami Lepisto and Dylan Olsen.
[ ChicagoBlackhawks.com ]

SHARKS AND BLACKHAWKS PREVIEW
NHL.com writer David Kalan previews Friday night's game, including trends to watch on both sides of the puck.
[ NHL.com ]