Friday At The Rink
April 6, 2007

EYES ON DALLAS?

There's no doubt that San Jose Sharks fans will find a way to watch
all, if not some, of tonight's game in Dallas between the Stars and
the Anaheim Ducks. Simply stated, a Ducks win means they clinch the
Pacific Division title.

As play begins today, the Sharks are a point behind the Ducks for
first place in the Pacific and potential home ice advantage to start
the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dallas trails the Sharks by three points
and can only hope for a fifth place finish in the Western Division as
they start the day in sixth place.

Of course, Sharks players will have more than a passing interest in
this evening's events. However, not everyone will be watching the
game closely.

"Are they playing tonight," defenseman Kyle McLaren asked with a
smile. "To be honest with you, no. I'll be checking the updates and
see who's winning and losing. But as for watching it, I'm going to
get my rest for tomorrow (the final regular season game against
Vancouver at HP Pavilion)."

"I'll be definitely keeping an eye on it," defenseman Scott Hannan
said.

"I watch hockey all the time," center Joe Thornton said. "I usually
turn on the TV around four o'clock and watch a couple of the East
Coast games and then some West Coast. So, I'm always watching the
games.

"I just like hockey," Thornton continued. "It's good to see different
players from around the League."

"I'm sure I'll keep an eye on the score, but I probably won't be
watching it too closely. I'm sure it will be an interesting game,"
left wing Ryane Clowe said. "When I'm away from the rink, I stay away
a little bit from hockey."

Tonight's game is just part of what has been one of the most exciting
finishes in National Hockey League history. The Western Conference
features seven teams with more than 100 points. If Calgary wins their
next two games, they would become the eighth team to hit the century
mark.

Only Western Conference-leading Detroit has clinched their division
(Central) title. Vancouver needs to win one of their next two games
to be Northwest Division Champions. And then there's the two-way race
between Anaheim and the Sharks for Pacific Division supremacy.

The next three days will be very interesting ones in the NHL.

"Often, you don't see this excitement towards the end of the year,"
Hannan said. "Teams are playing against the teams that could make a
difference in whether or not they make the playoffs or how they seed.
This has been a tight race for quite awhile."

The numerous season-ending options can drive any fan, even the most
die-hard, crazy. Don't think that these possibilities haven't caught
the attention of the Sharks. They just can't dwell on them as much as
the fans.

"You really have no idea who you're going to play (to start the
playoffs)," Thornton said. "The only teams we can't play are Detroit
and Calgary (currently in eighth place). You have a ton of playoff
possibilities. You look at them, but you don't really pay attention
to them."

"We definitely want certain teams to win right now. That goes without
saying," McLaren said. "But we've been taking care of business at
home and on the road. I'd rather be in the position we're in, which
is we've locked up a spot. We're not worried about just trying to
make the playoffs. We're trying to go for bigger and better things."

The Sharks have played 13 games in a 26-day period that started March
11. Over that stretch, San Jose has won 11, lost one in regulation
and one in overtime. The hectic schedule has helped San Jose stay
focused on their play, as opposed to wondering how other teams are
playing.

"We've been playing every other night for the last couple of weeks,"
McLaren said. "Our focus has been on our own game. We don't have time
to see what other teams are doing. We worry about ourselves."

"It's good that we're playing this kind of hockey right now,"
Thornton said. "It gets us used to playoff hockey and a playoff
atmosphere as well."

SATURDAY AT THE RINK
The Vancouver Canucks come to San Jose for the Sharks last 2006-07
regular season game. The Canucks (48-25-7, 103 points) lead the
Northwest Division and are third in the Western Conference.

The infamous Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, are amongst the NHL's
top-25 scoring leaders. Daniel has a career high 83 points and 36
goals. Henrik's 70 assists and 80 points are personal NHL bests as
well.

Roberto Luongo, who's a strong candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy
as the NHL's most valuable player, is the first Canuck goaltender to
have won 40 (46) games in a season. He's been a big reason why the
Canucks penalty kill is atop the NHL at .875.

Tomorrow's game, which starts at 1 p.m., is also Fan Appreciation Day.