The San Jose Sharks are still alive in the Western Conference playoff hunt. Just barely, yes, but they’re still alive.
After both the Sharks and visiting Colorado Avalanche struggled to generate anything offensively through the first half of Wednesday’s game, San Jose erupted for four goals -- two of them into an empty net -- in the third period for a 5-1 victory.
The win gives San Jose 85 points, five back of the Winnipeg Jets for that final Wild Card spot in the West. In order to get into the post-season, the Sharks would have to jump over two different teams, including the L.A. Kings, in their final five games.
Even tough guy John Scott got into the act for San Jose, scoring an empty net goal for his third of the season, which sets a new single-season career best for him.
There was a scary scene in the third period, when San Jose defenseman Scott Hannan took a puck to the face and rushed off the ice, straight toward the Sharks dressing room, clutching the left side of his face.