"End of an era: Joe Thornton signs with Maple Leafs, not Sharks" (Friday, 10/16/20) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 3: San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton (19) talks to a referee during their game against the Washington Capitals in the first period at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) -G
"San Jose Sharks officially relocating to Arizona for training camp, and possibly longer" (Sunday, 12/20/20) San Jose Sharks fans try to stay dry before Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2019. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group) -G
It's interesting that all of the Canadian based NHL teams were lumped into one division, but I suppose that it makes sense since the current pandemic has made travel across the U.S.-Canadian border problematic. Also, the new divisional alignment shows more clearly than ever that for as much as hockey is considered a "Canadian" sport by some, that there are literally three times as many U.S. based NHL teams as there are Canadian based NHL teams. -G
Yeah, after I posted my comment above I realized that there aren't even enough Canadian teams to keep this divisional alignment for future years. Once Seattle joins the league later in 2021 they would become the 9th team in the West division, 2 more than the # of teams in the Canadian division. #bringbackthenordiques
The final one of my favorite pro sports teams (they're all listed in my current tagline) to resume playing post-COVID shutdown does so tonight as the San Jose Sharks begin their season at the Arizona Coyotes. Among other things, the Sharks' goalkeeping let the team down last season. Hopefully current goaltending coach Evgeni Nabokov, himself among the top goalkeepers in team history from back in the day, can help the team's current goalkeepers regain their confidence and composure. -G
1-0-0. Tomas Hertl's two first period goals helped lead the San Jose Sharks to a season opening shootout win at the Arizona Coyotes. Next up: another game at the Arizona Coyotes on NBC Sports California HD on Saturday. -G
1-1-0. The San Jose Sharks suffered their first loss of the season at the Arizona Coyotes. Next up: a visit to the St. Louis Blues on NBC Sports California HD on Monday. -G
1-2-0. The San Jose Sharks lost at the St. Louis Blues. Next up: another game at the St. Louis Blues on NBC Sports California HD on Wednesday. -G
2-2-0. The San Jose Sharks won in a shootout at the St. Louis Blues. Next up: a trip to the Minnesota Wild on NBC Sports California HD on Friday. -G
2-3-0. The San Jose Sharks lost at the Minnesota Wild. Next up: another game at the Minnesota Wild on NBC Sports California HD on Sunday. -G
3-3-0. The San Jose Sharks went wild at the Minnesota Wild. Next up: the current road trip continues at the Colorado Avalanche on NBC Sports California HD on Tuesday. -G
3-4-0. The San Jose Sharks lost at the Colorado Avalanche. Next up: the current road trip concludes at the Colorado Avalanche on NBC Sports California HD on Thursday. -G
"San Jose Sharks set date for return to SAP Center" (Wednesday, 1/27/21) GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 14: Derick Brassard #16 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck ahead of Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 14, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. Gila River Arena is allowing 3,450 socially distant fans into the building, or about 25%. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) -G
3-5-0. The San Jose Sharks lost again at the Colorado Avalanche. Next up: the "home" opener in Arizona against the Vegas Golden Knights on NBC Sports California HD on Monday. -G
4-5-0. The San Jose Sharks won in a shootout at the Anaheim Ducks. Next up: another game at the Anaheim Ducks on NBC Sports California HD on Saturday. -G
4-5-1. The San Jose Sharks lost in a shootout at the Anaheim Ducks. Next up: the first round of the NHL's version of the California Clásico at the Los Angeles Kings on NBC Sports California HD on Tuesday. -G
5-5-1. The San Jose Sharks won in a shootout at the Los Angeles Kings. Next up: the second round of the NHL's version of the California Clásico at the Los Angeles Kings on NBC Sports California HD on Thursday. -G
5-6-1. The San Jose Sharks lost at the Los Angeles Kings. Next up: the early-afternoon home opener (finally!) against the Vegas Golden Knights on NBC Sports California HD on Saturday. -G