Just two games shy of the halfway mark of the season and an uncertain playoff position, the Sharks hoped to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, January 9th at the SAP Center or “Shark Tank” as referred to by fans. A win, more specifically a home win, was vital for the Sharks as their home record has plummeted this season. Going into this game the Sharks had a record of 5-12 at home, one of the worst in the NHL. The pressure was on not only to obtain a much-needed home victory, but also to go undefeated with the Maple Leafs for the 2015-2016 season (Sharks beat Toronto 5-4 on December 17, 2015 in overtime).

This season has been a rollercoaster for the San Jose Sharks, with a new coaching staff, multiple injuries, and several additions to the team. After mutually parting ways with their head coach of 7 years Todd McLellan last season, the Sharks acquired Peter DeBoer and have a 19-18-2 record so far this season. Another deciding factor for the Sharks’ performance is the various injuries they have had this season already. The list of injuries include Dainius Zubrus, Justin Braun, and alternate captain Logan Couture, centre. Couture’s absence is a vital factor to the team’s record as he averages 23 goals per season and missed more than 2 months after breaking his ankle at practice only three games into the season.

On the subject of players missing from the lineup, left wing Raffi Torres was suspended for 41 games on October 5th, 2015 for an illegal check to the head against Ducks’ Jakob Silfverberg. As for new faces, the Sharks have had positive new assets to their team including goalie Martin Jones, defense Paul Martin, centre Dainius Zubrus, right wing Joonas Donskoi, and right wing Joel Ward.

Goalie Martin Jones has a record of 16-13-2 and has 762 saves in 32 games. Defense Paul Martin has recorded one goal, seven assists, and 54 blocked shots in 35 games played. Center Dainius Zubrus has had one goal, one assist, and 27 hits this season. Also, right wing Joonas Donskoi has recorded four goals, nine assists, and 44 shots so far while fellow right winger Joel Ward has attained 11 goals, 14 assists, and 65 shots.

As part of the Sharks 25th year celebration, they commemorated one of the most iconic players in Shark history, Mike Ricci, on the January 9th game against Toronto by giving every fan in attendance a mini-locker with the jersey worn at the time of Ricci. Mike Ricci, along with Scott Thornton and Niklas Sundstrom combined, were one of the most popular and effective lines in franchise history. With a 16 year career in the NHL, Ricci notched 605 points from 243 goals and 362 assists. In his career, Ricci played 110 Stanley Cup games and won a Stanley Cup in 1996. However, it was with Colorado. Ricci is now part of the Sharks development team.

Tension was felt around the arena from both San Jose and Toronto fans as not one team could convert in the first period. Maple Leafs dominated the Sharks with more shots on goal in the first period but couldn’t manage to get it past the goal. Even with several close shots from both teams and a very fast-paced start, the score remained 0-0 after 20 minutes of hockey and fans in the arena worried at this rate, the game could very well be decided by just one goal. A notable highlight of the first period was a tremendous pad save by Jones, denying former Shark Joffrey Lupul of a goal just 5 minutes into the game.

As second period began, fans chanted and cheered on the Sharks, motivating them to keep the thrilling momentum of the first period. Only five minutes into the second period Brent Burns, with a 5 point game streak and 12 points in the last 8 games, put his team on the scoreboard at 15:42. Burns started with immense speed in the neutral zone, tapped it through the legs of Phaneuf from the Leafs, back to himself, and with a backhand shot to the far side, top corner got the–very important– first goal of the game. Then with 54 seconds remaining in Toronto’s power play, Matt Nieto makes it 2-0. On a shorthanded breakaway, Nieto gets his 5th goal of the season, taking advantage of a horrible line change from the Leafs. Captain Joe Pavelski recorded the third goal of the night, and his 21st of the season, by redirecting it to the far side with an assist from Tomas Hertl. Confident from the assist, Hertl scores an amazing goal of his own, tipping it into the top of the net just two minutes after the Pavelski goal. Sharks dominate the second period with a final score of 4-0, this time leaving fans confident in the tremendous performance from their home team.

Third period was underway and fans anticipated another entertaining 20 minutes of hockey after what they got second period. Less than five minutes into the period, Melker Karlsson began the wave of goals from a pass by Chris Tierney that he successfully shot to the five hole. However, referee Dave Johnson and Toronto head coach, Mike Babcock, challenged the goal claiming Tierney was offside. After careful review, the goal was good and, in relief, fans celebrated the six goal lead. Donskoi added to the team’s confidence and momentum by scoring his 5th goal of the season. The beautiful goal was created by a pass from Tommy Wingels, which created a an opportunity for Donskoi to wrap around the net and get the puck past Maple Leaf goalie, Jonathan Bernier, with 10:22 left on the clock. Just two minutes later, Hertl out-battled Toronto defenseman Matt Hunwick and recorded his second goal of the night, the third for his line, and the seventh for the Sharks. The rebound goal was recorded with 8:38 left and was assisted by Justin Braun and Brent Burns. The home team ended the third period with 31 shots on goal compared to 28 from the Leafs.

After clearly regrouping from a 2-1 home loss against Detroit just two nights before, the San Jose Sharks dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs did not stand a chance against a passionate group of players desperately looking for a home win and starting goalie, Martin Jones, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season that night. Jones was in turn selected as first star of the game having saved all 28 shots on goal. Followed was Tomas Hertl as the second star with two goals and an assist and Brent Burns as the third star with one goal and one assist.