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Can Sharks complete first sweep in franchise history?

Sharks win

The San Jose Sharks know how hard it can be to complete the sweep in the playoffs.

Mostly because they’ve never done it.

Nope, not one of their 13 series victories in franchise history has been done in four games.

They had a golden opportunity in 2011 when they took a 3-0 series lead over the Red Wings -- just as they did over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday -- but Detroit fought back to force a seventh and deciding game.

San Jose won that Game 7, but still, the Sharks aren’t exactly famous for clutching up in the playoffs.

“That [Detroit series] reminds me a little bit of this one,” said head coach Todd McLellan, per the team’s website. “It was close all the way through. Vancouver is going to do the same thing. They have a lot of talent and a lot of veteran players that have played a long time. They are going to come and play. If we don’t, we’ll be in trouble.”

If Vancouver can somehow win Game 4, the Canucks will get to play Game 5 on home ice. And if they can win that...

The Sharks would prefer to avoid going down that road. But they don’t expect it to be easy tomorrow at HP Pavilion.

“They are going to give everything they have,” said Sharks center Logan Couture. “Their season is on the line. They’re going to be their best. We know that. We expect that. We are ready for a battle.”