The Sharks managed to stave off a sweep tonight with a fairly gutsy victory in Dallas. I say “fairly” because there were still extended stretches where the Sharks played passively, and allowed the Stars to swarm. Nabby saved the Sharks’ bacon again several times, which is what great goalies do. Marleau had a second shorthanded breakaway, and again converted. I understand if people want to question his leadership style, but you can’t question his ability to score when his team most needs it.

Of course it wasn’t the decisive victory that we wanted to see, a clear sign that the Sharks may just beat the odds and come back from a 3-0 deficit. Morrow and Ribeiro are just as dangerous and effective as they’ve ever been. That puzzle is as of yet unsolved. Turco continues to come up big- there’s no solving that.  The Sharks give up too much time and space, and oftentimes do not press the pace when their own is threatened.

Can the Sharks continue to dance on the brink? Was tonight just a postponement of the inevitable, just the Sharks giving the home fans a chance to see the disappointment up close and in person?

Uncle Jonathan’s Corncob Pipe, I hope not.