San Jose Sharks Beat the Phoenix Coyotes to Close Regular Season Play

The San Jose Sharks beat the Phoenix Coyotes in a shootout, 3-2, Saturday night, matching the Pacific Division's two top teams at San Jose's "Shark Tank".

The victory throws pressure on the Chicago Blackhawks, who face-off against a resurgent and suddenly dangerous Detroit Red Wings squad on Sunday.

The Sharks lead Chicago by two points.

In Chicago's decisive match-up, the Western Conference top point getter will be determined. 

If the Blackhawks defeat the Wings, the squad will garner the number one seed in the Western Conference. Though they would tie the Sharks with each team posting a total of 113 points, the 'Hawks would break the tie with most season victories.

The number one seed will host the Colorado Avalanche in firstround action. The two seed will play at home opposite a foe yet to be determined and predicated upon Sunday's results.

Rookie, Logan Couture, provided a nifty backhand score to provide the margin in the Shootout for the Sharks and then San Jose's goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, watched the Coyotes' Shane Doan clank left pipe in a final attempt to earn an additional Shootout round for Phoenix.  

Dany "The Heater" Heatley scored his 400th career goal for the Sharks during regulation.

The Sharks go into the playoffs with high hopes as with recent campaigns.

Does this year's squad have the "Killer Instinct" necessary to reach the Western Conference Finals?

The "Logo" hopes for a playoff run that averts early round disappointments that have plagued the team in recent years.