I really went out on a limb yesterday, predicting a 3+ goal win over a team that’s only given up 2.4 goals per game while scoring 2.9.  And I almost looked like a genius.  Instead, I’ll have to settle for extraordinarily intelligent.  I was right that the Sharks played a patient game and eventually cracked the trap.  There were so many times the Sharks could have scored the fourth goal, but my disappointment at not being inducted into the pantheon of Great Calls is offset by yet another impressive Sharks effort.  I’ll take it.

All that and more discussed on the recent DOH podcast, and other issues discussed on last week’s ChompTalk radio show.

In a landmark podcast on a landmark night, the Sharks and Dudes on Hockey continue to roll.  After winning four in a row, the Dudes talk about what is different about this team versus past years.  After some emails, they look to the rest of the Pacific division to try and gauge upcoming challenges.

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Seems like Minnesota has played in the league for a thousand years, and every year they play the same style- very tough defensively, shutting down the neutral zone, but the offensive game is wearing a restrictor plate.   Since 2000, the Wild have had a scorer in the top 40 only four times- Gaborik twice, Brunette, and Rolston.  Several of those years they don’t have anyone in the top fifty.  This is a team that doesn’t care about offense.

Since we’ve now seen the new high-flying high-scoring Sharks, I feel like we match up even better against the Wild than in past years.  Believe it or not, but the Sharks have already faced one of the stingier defenses in the NHL- Tampa.  That’s right- the Lightning have allowed only 24 goals in 10 games, and the Wild have allowed only 22 in 10.  If we can hang three on the Lightning, we can hang three on the Wild.

The pitfall with the decidedly non-wild “Wild” system is the opposition would get frustrated with all the traffic in the neutral zone and take stupid chances in order to create a rush.  Then Minnesota could capitalize with chances the other way.  But with the patient way in which the Sharks dispatched Detroit and Pittsburgh, I doubt that will happen.  I’m predicting a big win here – the Sharks by three or more.

As I’m sitting here watching the Leafs and Rangers on a Saturday afternoon, I’m still riding the high of that win on Thursday night. Thanks to our good buddy Bryce, Mike and I saw the win from the club level and it wasn’t even close folks. The Wings looked like the little brothers and the Sharks took it to them all night. Now, eleven games into the season, I love the attitude of being out for blood every night and every shift. A few other thoughts…

– Undefeated at home. I told Mikey during the 2nd intermission that I think the Sharks will drop only five games at home all season. That’s right. The Tank is now a dominant place where opposing teams should thank their lucky stars if they can get even one point. This is another aspect where the Sharks will move from good team to elite team.

– Seto and Pavelski are exploding in this new system. Seto was the best player on the ice on Thursday, he was everywhere and we could be seeing a star born before our eyes this year. His constant motor has won over Coach McLellan.

– I think McGinn is here to stay and will take Plihal’s spot when Mitchell returns to form. He is highly skilled and aggressive, perfect for this Wings model. His ability to slide up and play 2nd line minutes is evident as well.

– The Sharks had a new video feature on Thursday night, asking several players what three things they would take to a desert island. Here are the three best responses.

ROENICK: A case of red wine, a hot blonde and a boat so I can leave when I’m done.

SETO: Strawberries, chocolate and Jessica Alba.

SHELLEY: Uh…soap….toothpaste….and, a can of beans.

All this good karma being spread makes me fully aware the Sharks could struggle tomorrow night in Colorado. The Sharks split in Colorado last year and are coming off an emotionally charged week with two huge victories at home. One game road trips can be bad news, so I regretfully expect the Sharks to be on the wrong end of the result on Sunday night….but I thought they might get caught napping against Pittsburgh.

GO SHARKS!