With the Stanley Cup playoffs about a week away, the Sharks have a couple of items on their checklist before the regular season ends.
First, they would like to clinch the best record in the NHL. That seems to be a mere formality. After all, the team needs just one more win against either lowly Phoenix or Los Angeles to claim the first President's trophy in franchise history. With that achievement, the Sharks will have home ice advantage as long as they continue to play hockey this spring.
Second, and arguably more important, they need to get the entire team HEALTHY. That process has started. Mike Grier and Claude Lemieux returned to the lineup in Tuesday night's win over Colorado. Captain Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe should also return this week.
Will all of this be enough to finally propel the Sharks towards hockey immortality? The question will start to be answered when the puck is dropped in the playoffs.
