SAN JOSEThere was a sense of relief at Sharks Ice on Friday, after an enthralling and controversial win over the Los Angeles Kings combined with San Joses punched ticket to the NHL's postseason party.
You can tell guys are much looser, and feel good, Joe Thornton said after an optional skate. Its been pretty hectic around here for the last month or month and a half, and its just good to see the guys loose and ready to go again.
Coach Todd McLellan isnt exactly happy about that, though, when asked if he feels that the weight has been lifted on the Sharks collective shoulder pads as they battled just to get in.
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I sense it has, and I dont know if I want it to, to tell you the truth, said the coach. With the pressure that weve played under, weve found our game most nights. Weve still been red-rotten a couple, but that happens to any team. Weve found our game and been in very competitive situations night after night. I dont want us to take a big collective sigh and then go have to find it again.
The Sharks still have something to play for, of course, even if Phoenixs 4-1 victory in St. Louis on Friday night makes it rather unlikely they will capture the third seed. The Coyotes need to secure just one point against the lowly Minnesota Wild to ensure they finish higher than the Sharks. A win gives the Coyotes the division title.
In other words, San Jose needs to hope for a Coyotes loss in regulation against the Wild, coupled with a win over the Kings tonight in the regular season finale.
Logan Couture already knows how important home ice in the first round can be at the Shark Tank.
San Jose Sharks
Everyone wants it. You want to have home ice advantage, and especially playing in San Jose, for other teams to come into our building is tough, Couture said on Friday afternoon. Our fans are loud, and we seem to have energy from them in our home games. It would be big."
He still senses a focused team, despite the assurance of a playoff spot.
Its positive around here. Its been good; weve kept it mainly positive even through the tough times. Its always nice to know youre going to be in the playoffs but we still have a goal in our minds to win the division, and were going to try and do that tomorrow.
There are still several possible first round opponents for the Sharks. Finish third, and theyll host either Chicago or Detroit, depending on which club finishes fifth (the Blackhawks and Red Wings meet today, and Chicago would jump into the fifth spot with a regulation win).
Finish seventh or eighth, and its a trip to Vancouver or St. Louis for Games 1 and 2 of the first round.
Have the players thought that far ahead?
Yeah, you think about it. Everyone thinks about it I think a little bit, Ryane Clowe admitted.
We played Vancouver last year, so we think about that a little bit, but besides that you dont really talk about it among the guys, saying I think it would be good for us to play this team, because it never works out that way. You never wish to play anyone.
Clowes linemate apparently hasnt paid any attention to such discussions.
I havent even looked. Some guys have talked about it, but I havent even looked, Couture said. We have to get through the regular season first, and when tomorrow game is over, well look up and see who were playing.