San Jose Sets Team Record for Wins While the Florida Panthers Stay Alive.

OK, I have to admit the San Jose Sharks are good, I mean really really good.  Last night in front of another capacity crowd the San Jose Sharks walked into the pond in Anaheim and beat the Ducks 3-2.  The Sharks recorded their 52nd win of the season setting a franchise record for wins.  The Sharks increased their lead over the Boston Bruins in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy.  It seems to me that their having so much fun when their out on the ice.  It is truly a game for them now, but the real business starts next week when the playoffs start.  The Sharks are also getting key goaltending down the stretch.   Evgeni Nabokov has been stellar this season with a record of 40-10-8.  He has a goals against average of 2.43 and has 6 shutouts.  Brian Boucher the Sharks other goalie is also pretty good, it was him who was in net for last night’s win.

Not to far behind San Jose is the Detroit Red Wings.  The Wings became the third team to win 50 games this year joining Boston and Sharks.  Detroit beat Minnesota at home by a score of 3-2.  The loss pretty much eliminates the Wild from playoff contention.  Marian Hossa who led Detroit scoring his 38th goal of the season also added an assist  on Pavel Datsyuk’s 32nd goal of the year.

In the eastern conference the Florida Panthers won in what was a do or die game for Florida.  The Panthers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins to remain in playoff contention, they jumped out to an early lead and were able to hang on for the 4-2 victory.  Florida is now tied with the New York Rangers with 89 points.  I guess Florida may not yet be done playing spring hockey.  For the Penguins it was an another opportunity missed to move up in the standings.  Right now the Pens sit in 6th place just a point ahead of the Montreal Canadiens.  You’d think that with Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin on your team the Penguins would almost impossible to beat but give credit to all the other teams that have figured out how to contain these guys.  I mean sure they get their points but they don’t always translate into wins.  Pittsburgh will need these two if they are to make a strong run at the Stanley Cup.