Speaking of streaks...

[Arlos]

If we're going to talk about the Rockets' streak, methinks we need to recognize another one.

How about the Sharks of late? 14-0-1 over their last 15 games, with their only "loss" happening via the shootout after closing out OT tied. Methinks Campbell was exactly the piece we needed, I can only assume we'll be definitely locking him up long-time once the season's over. Plus, Cheechoo and Marleau finally got their asses in gear, and have been playing awesome.

And hey, how about Nabokov for the Vezina? 43 wins, < 2.15 GAA. He's easily the team MVP, but I doubt he'd be up for the Hart.

-Arlos

[Tuggan]

I saw this coming as soon as they picked him up. I think SJ is going to be unstoppable come playoffs if everyone can stay healthy.

[Tikker]

SJ doesn't have a goalie good enough to win the Cup

nothing has changed. they'll win a series or 2, but if they run into a hot goalie, they're out

[Arlos]

You still say that after the year he's had? How much better does he have to get than 43 wins with a 2.13 GAA? That's more wins than Brodeur and the same GAA. Save percentage of .910 isn't exactly shabby either. Your man-crush Kiprusoff has only 36 wins, a 2.66 and a .907.

I've seen more than one article on CNNSI and ESPN that were saying Nabokov stands a good chance at winning the Vezina, and may be in for the Hart if Washington doesn't make the playoffs, which would pretty much rule Ovechkin out.

I can't think of what else he'd need to do to prove himself, honestly. He single-handedly kept us in games all year when our O was lacking, and has been a complete workhorse. So, why are you still down on him so much? (and what, short of actually winning the cup, would he have to do to prove himself? I mean, it's not like Kiprusoff has won a cup...)

-Arlos

[Tikker]

eh, i am not a big kiprusof fan. I just don't think nabokov is the type of goalie you can ride to a cup

[Kramer]

i would have brought up their streak if i had ever watched an entire hockey game and/or understood the basic rules of hockey and/or hadn't grown up in Houston where if you don't play football, basketball or baseball you are of utterly no consequence..... i m just saying.

[Arlos]

16-0-2 now. They lost once more in OT, after coming back from a 3 goal deficit in the 3rd period. They've gone from being 3rd in the division and 11-12 points out, to having now clinched no worse than 2nd overall in the west, and almost certainly are going to finish up 2nd overall in the league. The last time they lost in regulation was February 20th.

I'm sure the old-timer hockey heads here can remember longer streaks, but I've never seen one in the time *I* have been watching.

-Arlos

[Tikker]

well, you are a hockey n00b

Overall: 35 games, by 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers

SJ's streak is nice, but not in top 10 yet I think


Sharks do own the leagues longest losing streak tho (17 games)

congrats

[Tikker]

SJ also managed to lose 71 games in a single season once

[Arlos]

Yeah, but that was a long time ago now, and it was either the year they came into existence, or like the year after.

You won't get any argument from me that the first few years of the Sharks, they were beyond pitiful.

I do believe that their current streak is the longest since Pittsburg in like 91, yes?

-Arlos

[Tikker]

pittsburgh won 17 games in a row in the 92/93 season (win, no ties. SJ only won 11 in a row)

not sure about the most recent undefeated streak

lots of teams are putting up crazy number this year

the Oilers were like 27 pts out of a playoff spot at christmas, and now are actually in contention for as high as 6th (I still don't think they'll make it, but they've played great lately)

[Arlos]

Well, the sharks have captured one NHL record with their streaks so far: they're the first team ever to have 2 8+ game road winning streaks within the same season.

One thing that impresses me about their overall streak is they haven't just been facing bottom feeders or anything. So far on the streak they've beaten: Pittsburgh, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Minnesota (twice), Dallas, and Anaheim (twice).

-Arlos

[Atalya]

how many of those 16 wins were shootout wins? Even 1 shootout win will skew that stat. The only era you can even count that stat in is the post lockout era. Any other win/loss streak since is in a different league now imo.

[Tikker]

you know what

I've gone back and watched a few sharks games now, and Nabokov looks different this year

maybe it's that he doesn't have to platoon with Toskala anymore, but he looks better than previous years