The San Jose Sharks have looked like one of the most impressive teams in the Western conference through the start of the strike-shortened season, breezing through the first two games to start 2-0-0.
Last year the Sharks failed to win the Pacific division title for the first time in four seasons, but has the look of a champion early on. The Sharks will look to stay dominant on Thursday night against the Phoenix Coyotes, the team who beat them out for the Pacific last year.
The Sharks ended the season on a sour note after getting beaten in the first round of the playoffs, while the Coyotes went to the conference finals. The Sharks won 4-1 to open the season against Calgary on Sunday before blowing out the Oilers on Tuesday in a 6-3 victory.
San Jose showed off its offensive skills early in the game, scoring a franchise-record six goals in the first period, with Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture netting two apiece, while Joe Thornton assisted on three scores.
"It's only two games, but we've had a couple of nice wins and put some points in the bank which is important in a season like this," said Marleau, who is leading the team with four goals and an assist.
Marleau scored five points against the Coyotes last season, but the Sharks struggles towards the end of the year, losing four of the last five meetings. Phoenix goalie Mike Smith shut out the Sharks three times during that stretch, but there is a chance he will not be able to play on Thursday.
Smith was fantastic last season while winning 38 games with a 2.21 goals-against average, but he was injured on Wednesday against the Blue Jackets. Despite the injury, the Coyotes won 5-1 with Jason LaBarbera stopping 21 shots in place of Smith. The in helped the Coyotes avoid an 0-0-3 start for the first time since the franchise was in Canada.
"I was a little bit nervous going in, but we were focused," LaBarbera said. "We played an unreal game and that's how we have to play every night."
The Sharks have started the season as one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, but it will be tough on Thursday if they have to face Smith. San Jose has converted nearly 50 percent of their power plays, but have only killed 62 percent while shorthanded. The Coyotes have done a good job on the penalty kill early, allowing zero shorthanded goals.
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