The Phoenix Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. After the Coyotes won against the Flyers on Monday night, the younger players will see how they measure up against the fifth place team in the Western Conference (both the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild have the same number of points that the Sharks have; the Stars are ahead with one less game played than the Sharks and the Wild are behind with one more game played than the Sharks – playoff standings are fun; so are points earned for regulation ties).

The Coyotes need the same effort they displayed against the Flyers for any shot at victory against the Sharks. So far this season, the Coyotes have only won two games in the season series and that was back in December during an incredible mid-season winning streak that brought the Coyotes to .500.

Now, it's a different team with a different philosophy, but winning is the common denominator.

The Sharks are coming off a huge lopsided victory thumping the Chicago Blackhawks 7-1; the team that thumped the Coyotes last week. Bill Guerin shows his new team what he's still capable of doing by registering his eighth career hat trick.

Plus, the Sharks have won four or their last five with two shutouts. They have outscored their opposition 18-3 during that stretch. In addition, they have earned points in six of their last seven games with a shootout loss against the Nashville Predators and an overtime loss against the Vancouver Canucks. Their only loss in regulation during the current stretch was with division leading Anaheim Ducks.

So what does this mean, exactly? With the playoffs being a month away, the Sharks are playing exceptional hockey right now and if the Coyotes do not play their best game, they could suffer the same fate as the Blackhawks did Tuesday night.

Brendan Bell suffered deep bruise in the last game against the Flyers and should be available for Thursday night's game. Also, Keith Ballard was scratched due to the flu, so hopefully he'll be available for Thursday night's game. Forward Billy Thomas was held out of the lineup after the Koci hit as a precaution. We'll see if he is reinserted into the lineup.

Also, here's an excellent article on NHL.com about Owen Nolan that's worth a look.

Original post by One Fans Perspective and software by Elliott Back

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