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“Redemption.” That word is thrown out an awful lot in sports and though they will not say it openly, that is precisely what is on the minds of the San Jose Sharks. It has to be. Just over one month ago, the Sharks had a commanding lead over everyone within the Western Conference, including the defending champion Detroit Red Wings. While the Red Wings were playing well, San Jose was able to play so while that they built up a very large lead over Detroit.
Then came December 18th at the Joe Louis Arena where the teams met for the first time this season. Ready to provide a statement that the Sharks had arrived with a road victory over the Stanley Cup Champions, the San Jose dropped the game in a horrendous 6-0 decision.
After that game, the Sharks (32-6-5) saw their nine-point advantage over the number two seeded Detroit whittle to one-point. The teams will face off again, this time in San Jose.
If the surging Red Wings (31-7-6) can win a game in regulation, they can do two remarkable things. First they will be able to catch and surpass San Jose for top team in the West, something perhaps unthinkable a few months ago. But perhaps more notably, with a regulation loss, the Sharks would lose their second game in a row in regulation. Thursday, the Sharks dropped their first game this season in regulation at HP Pavilion and first game in nearly 11 months when they lost 3-2 to the Flames.
Since the December 18th game, the Sharks have gone 7-2-2. A great mark, no doubt. But Detroit has gone 10-1-2 during that period, allowing them to pull within a point of San Jose. Both teams are also closing in on Bostons NHL best 70 points.
The Red Wings have gone 2-0-1 on their longest road trip of the season, which still has stops in Phoenix and Columbus. Thursday they blanked the Los Angeles Kings 4-0.
Detroit has won the four out of their last five games in San Jose dating back to the Western Conference semi-finals in 2007, however the Sharks won the teams last matchup at HP Pavilion earlier this season.
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