The contenders for the fifth seed in both the Eastern and Western Conferences squared off in an overtime duel tonight.

The San Jose Sharks extended their winning streak to seven games by defeating the struggling Ottawa Senators at the HP Pavilion, 3-2 in OT.

The win for the Sharks improves their record to 38-21-8 and moves them into the fourth place in the Western Conference with 84 points. One point ahead of the Anaheim Ducks.

Meanwhile, the Sens have been struggling as of late, still clinging to that fifth spot in the East. With their seventh loss tonight in their last 10 games, Ottawa went from the team to beat in the East, to a team fighting for a playoff berth.

A main reason for the Sharks hot-streak has been white-hot Jonathan Cheechoo. His mediocre play had been apparent thus far into the New Year, but he has recorded 16 goals since January 15th—second only to Alex Ovechkin, with 21. Jonathan scored his 21st goal of the season to force overtime tonight. 

San Jose captain Patrick Marleau stepped up and scored the game-winning goal in OT to bump the Sharks up two points in the tight Western Conference standings. He sent the Sens back to Ottawa with a one point OT loss.

Sharks netminder Evengi Nabokov stopped 17 of, a season low, 19 shots for the win. Sens goalie Martin Gerber kept Ottawa in the game with 27 saves on 30 shots on net. 

This was a big two points for the Sharks. Brian Campbell was a great acquisition at the trade deadline, but, they certainly need their big-time players, now more than ever, to step up during crunch time. Thornton, Marleau, Nabokov and Cheechoo need to continue their stellar play for the Sharks to have any chance at the cup this year.