A QUICK LOOK AT SHARKS VS. BRUINS

The San Jose Sharks skate in to Boston tonight to take on the Bruins in what is setting up to be one of the biggest games of the year. When the puck drops at seven (on Versus), here are some things to look out for, as well as some significant stats about each team, and some keys to the game.

Boston: 39-8-7, 85 points, 19-3-4 at home
San Jose: 36-7-7, 79 points, 13-5-4 away

Home Ice Advantage Is Huge
The action taking place at TB Banknorth Garden helps the Bruins significantly in this matchup of President's Trophy contenders. Playing at home on the season, Boston has scored 108 goals in 26 games. Only Calgary and San Jose, which have each played more home games than the Bruins, have scored more. Boston's defense is outstanding on home ice as well, as they have only allowed 62 goals at the Garden this year. On the road, where San Jose has played more games than over half of the teams in the league, they've scored only 64 goals and are 21st in the league in that category.

Boston Has the Edge in the Third Period
San Jose has the most first period goals of any team in the NHL, but are nowhere near as high in the last two frames. In fact, when the third period rolls around, the Sharks 50 goals are fewer than 11 other teams. The Bruins have scored 66 third period goals, which is one behind the Detroit Red Wings for most in the league. Boston also has the stingiest defense in the league in the final twenty minutes, having allowed the puck in their net only 32 times in the third. The Sharks will have to jump out to a quick lead for their best chance to win.

The Sharks Best Hope is on the Power Play
Boston has the best five on five team in hockey. They've scored 118 goals five on five, while San Jose has only netted 93. In five on four, the Sharks are the better team, and in four on four, they are way ahead of the Bruins. San Jose scores at a 24.5% clip during power plays on the road, the second best percentage in the league. For the Sharks to win, they'll need to draw some penalties and convert on the man advantage.

The First Goal of the Game Doesn't Mean All That Much
Announcers like to talk about the importance of getting on the board first during big games. It won't be all that significant in this one though. While, yes, both the Sharks and Bruins have outstanding records when scoring the first goal of the game (SJ: 25-3-3, BOS: 24-4-4), they are also the two best teams in the league when giving up the first goal. The Bruins are 15-5-4 (.682) and the Sharks are 11-4-4 (.579) when their opponent scores first, both tremendous records.

The Joe Thornton Factor
This is one unquantifiable factor that could very well determine the game tonight. Jumbo Joe, former captain of the B's, makes his second return to his old stomping grounds, and first since his very brief comeback in January, 2006. Thornton was ejected just 5:13 into that one for an alleged hit from behind on defenseman Hal Gill. Any hit from behind garners an automatic game misconduct, and Jumbo Joe hasn't been back since. If he's nervous and not playing like himself, or extra amped up and playing out of his mind, it could swing how the game is played, and won. Same goes for the crowd. Playing at home, the Bruins could be energized by the home fans like they were earlier this year against Detroit. That game, played way back in November, was big because it was so early in the season, that nobody knew how the Bruins would respond in an important game against one of the best teams in the league. The crowd was in it early, and Boston rocked Detroit 4-1.

One things for sure: this game is more important than just another regular season affair. Could it be a Stanley Cup Finals preview? Who knows. What we do know is that these teams are 1a and 1b as the best in the NHL right now. Let's drop the puck!