San Jose Sharks: Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley Awaken, Jumbo Still Sleeps

In examining Game Five of this series, there were some things that the Sharks had been lacking that came together, including success for some of the Sharks stars: Dany Heatley awoke with two assists and a plus-one rating, while Patrick Marleau scored the first goal for the Big Three and was also plus-one.

And then there was Joe Thornton. He had no points and was even in a game the team won 5-0, making him one of only three forwards held scoreless and one of only four who failed to finish in the black.

I am not asking him to be our best forward like he is in the regular season, even though that would be fair. But he is worst on the team in plus/minus at minus-three, and tied with the likes of stay-at-home defenceman Douglas Murray, rookie Logan Couture, and fourth-line grinder Scott Nichol in points.

In other words, he has been among the team's worst players in this series. If this team is going to win beyond this round, they will need their sleeping giant to wake up.

Todd McLellan should not wait. It is Thornton who should be demoted to the third line—what good is it to have him out there with the speedy Marleau and Torrey Mitchell when he always pulls up and slows the game down, anyway?

From the looks of his Game Five, Heatley is back. Put him out there with Marleau and Couture, who scored twice because he goes to the net well. That way, you have speed in Patty to break down a defence, Couture parked by the net, and Heatley to find space and play the sniper.

You leave the second line alone, except to make them officially your first line. They have six of the Sharks' 14 goals, and at least two of the three were out there for two more—in other words, they have accounted for over half the Sharks' goals. They also have the only three clutch ones: Tuesday's overtime winner plus last Friday's game-tying and game-winning goals.

Then the third line would have Mitchell's speed to push the defence back on one wing and Malhotra to do the dirty work and cover for all the times Thornton will get tossed from the faceoff circle. The fourth line would be Nichol surrounded by Helminen and McGinn, which was a very effective line Thursday.

Hopefully, being demoted will instill a little more urgency and adaptability to Joe's game. The Big Three can still be together on the power play, and this gives Joe a chance to work his way back up. They have had a chemistry all season, and while they would be my second unit, they are still probably better than any alternative.

But something has to be done, or the perennial momma's boys of May will be free on Mother's Day again this year.