No, the San Jose Sharks will not win all 48 games they play this year in the 2013 National Hockey League season, shortened by labor strife.
But if you watch any of their games, you could believe the Sharks are certainly capable of it the way San Jose is playing right now.
After a chippy 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks tonight at the HP Pavilion, the Sharks are 5-0-0 on the season, and along with the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose is one of only two perfect teams left in the NHL this year.
The two teams combined for 84 penalty minutes -- including 35 for Sharks forward Ryane Clowe alone -- and the Sharks came out on top by holding the Canucks to an 0-for-7 on their power-play chances.
Meanwhile, San Jose converted two of its eight special-teams opportunities to pull away from Vancouver after the Canucks had pulled to within one goal midway through the second period.
The Sharks scored twice early -- in the first 3:26, to be precise -- and never looked back. It both helped San Jose and contributed to Vancouver's frustrations tonight that the Canucks hit at least five posts in the process of only getting the single goal past Antti Niemi (23 saves).
Patrick Marleau scored once for his ninth goal of the year, while Joe Thornton (3) and Joe Pavelski (1) netted the first two goals of the night for the Sharks.
The impressive penalty kills, however, may have been the story of the game. One of San Jose's huge weaknesses last season was their 29th-ranked penalty killing, and the Sharks came into the game tonight ranked only 25th in that category this year.
This one game alone moved them up to 17th in the league, though: they've surrendered only five goals to opponents in 23 chances.
If San Jose can keep their defense tight when a man down, they may have a great shot at the Stanley Cup in 2013.
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