NHL Playoffs: San Jose Sharks Need Killer Instinct in Round Two

The San Jose Sharks open round two of the Stanley Cup playoff action opposite the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday with home ice. It's a given that the "Shark Tank" crowd will be loud, but can the Sharks exhibit the "killer's instinct," that was rarely displayed in their first round series against the Colorado Avalanche? 

The Red Wings are a seasoned team that is playing its best hockey of the current campaign. Detroit vanquished a very good Phoenix Coyotes in round one. The game count was 4-3 as the Wings dominated game seven in Arizona. This Coyotes squad was a real thorn in San Jose's side during the regular season, beating the Sharks once, and extending four other matches to shootouts.

The Red Wings beat the Sharks in two of three matches, losing only in a shootout. Detroit has been a constant nemesis to San Jose in past playoff action, besting the Sharks most recently in the 2007 Western Conference Final. This year's Sharks run in the playoffs goes through Detroit and could end there. 

San Jose dominated the Avalanche during their first round playoff victory, out shooting "The 'Lanche" in all but one period. However, the squad lost two games, albeit one contest being decided by a puck deflected from "friendly fire" into their own goal. The Sharks' lack of aggressiveness in front of the posts made Avalanche goalie, Craig Anderson, look impenetrable.

Individuals must take accountability as well.

Evgeni Nabokov, the Sharks' goalie, was rarely tested in the prior series. He was perhaps failing most when teammate, Dan Boyle, attempted to wrap the puck around the goal to clear, surprising Nabokov and providing the Avalanche with a game winning goal. He will face much more rubber against Detroit's marksmen and exacting puck movement.

Sharks blue liners must initiate a much more exacting effort themselves in clearing the puck.

The Joe Pavelski-led second line was a highlight against Colorado. Joe Thornton's first line was anything but ESPN-worthy in the arduous series against a young, overachieving Avalanche squad.

Do the Sharks have the killer instinct that any predator has in devouring their opponent? Past playoff campaigns have proved to be pains meted out by Detroit, among other squads. Early exits by the Sharks have been the rule as of late. Their series beginning tonight, Thursday, versus the Red Wings will be a resounding report card on the state of San Jose hockey. 

This second round home opener could determine whether another "Shark Tank" is in the offing.