The San Jose Sharks (15-16-2) are in dire straits once again, heading into a seven-game home stand starting with tonight’s house guest, the New York Rangers (15-12-3, 6th Metropolitan). While the Sharks have been below the real .500 mark since their obliteration at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, Tuesday’s loss to the Nashville Predators got them below the softer NHL .500 for the first time since bobbing up above it with a win over the Edmonton Oilers on November 19.
It’s a rude awakening for those fans who thought the season’s trials and tribulations would be limited to October, and those of us who read here regularly likely are not counted among that group.