The San Jose Sharks made a few more trades before the National Hockey League trade deadline today at 12 noon Pacific Time, and then they went out on the ice to win their sixth straight game.
Ho hum.
The Sharks beat the Minnesota Wild tonight at HP Pavilion, 4-2, to maintain their momentum as they climb up the Western Conference standings. San Jose (19-11-6) is now in fifth place in the playoff chase, thanks to another two points this evening.
But it wasn't as comfortable as the two-goal edge might indicate.
The Sharks got up 2-0 in the first period, before the Wild scored twice in 25 seconds in the middle of the second frame to tie the game. San Jose responded with a Joe Thornton goal to take a one-goal lead into the third.
T.J. Galiardi scored with 6:55 left to give the Sharks an extra cushion, and that margin held to the end.
Antti Niemi finished with 31 saves for San Jose, once again holding up his end of the bargain in a way perhaps no one could have expected or demanded from him.
The Sharks goaltender entered the game with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage this season -- and he improved on both numbers with his effort tonight.
What's more impressive is how San Jose fought off the second period adversity in this game: giving up quick goals isn't a new issue for the Sharks, but they responded well this time to secure the win.
After trading away veteran forward Ryane Clowe yesterday and acquiring former defenseman Scott Hannan today, San Jose has juggled its roster a bit in the last few weeks.
But the new chemistry seems to be working, with six straight wins -- the last five at home.
The Sharks have two more games at home before they hit the road again, and with the best home record in the NHL -- 13 wins, one regulation loss and four overtime/shootout losses -- San Jose is rolling like people expected them to now.
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