San Jose Sharks: Playoff Time Is Now If Postseason Streak Is To Stay Alive

The past few seasons the San Jose Sharks have entered February trying to fight injuries and fatigue and prepare themselves for the postseason all while sitting comfortably atop the Pacific Division and assured of a playoff appearance. The Sharks' annual concern was to shake off their reputation as playoff underachievers.

While the official NHL playoffs do not begin until the middle of April, the Sharks will play through a playoff atmosphere in 27 out of their final 31 remaining games as they fight just to make the playoffs this season.

The Sharks' inconsistent and often disappointing play up to this point of the season has them clinging to a one-point lead for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff picture with Colorado, Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Calgary all fighting for the final slot.

The Sharks play a combined seven games against teams chasing them for the final playoff slot. The Sharks have two games remaining against each of Calgary, Los Angeles and Colorado, and one remaining game against Minnesota.

Any of these teams could fall out of contention between now and their match ups against San Jose, but these games sit as must-win games for the Sharks if they are to hang on to their hopes of advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

The shootout victory by Minnesota over Los Angeles Monday night gives Minnesota 57 points to San Jose's 58 after the Sharks completed their come-from-behind victory  over the Phoenix Coyotes on the short-handed game-winning goal by Patrick Marleau.

Of the additional 24 games remaining on the Sharks' schedule, 20 of those games are against teams currently slotted to play in the playoffs, 15 games against teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings (not to mention 10 out of their next 12 are on the road).

While the task at hand may seem daunting, the Sharks will be poised to make some noise if they are able to come together and pull off their late season surge to continue their playoff streak.

The Sharks will lean on the veteran experience of their first line of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Patrick Marleau as well as All-Star Dan Boyle and Rookie of The Year candidate Logan Couture to keep the intensity high during this stretch of playoff atmosphere competition.

More consistent scoring and shots on goal are needed, and the Sharks will need to start closing out games in which they lead going into the third period. The Sharks need more consistent scoring from everyone not named Logan Couture, but players such as Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi and Ryane Clowe will play pivotal parts in the Sharks success the remainder of the season.

The Sharks were able to ride the hot-hand of Pavelski through the first rounds of the playoffs last season, and will benefit from an increase in shots and scoring from their second and third lines.

When it comes to defending goals, the Sharks will turn to their newly acquired duo of goaltenders.

Antii Niemi, who had a solid January in which he started 10 games and posted a .934 save percentage, has taken over as the teams No. 1 goalie. Niemi who led the Chicago Blackhawks past the Sharks in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs (and on to win the trophy), will be counted on to repeat his performance from last season down the stretch if the Sharks are to succeed.

Antero Niittymaki was removed from the injured reserve and will serve as the backup to Niemi. However Niittymaki has shown throughout the season that he is capable of being the No. 1 goalie if necessary.

It will be a tough stretch to say the least, but if the Sharks are to return to the playoffs they need to start playing like it's May—not February.

While it will be disappointing if they fail to continue their streak of consecutive playoff appearances, the remainder of the schedule will be nothing short of entertaining for Bay Area hockey fans.

Go Sharks!