Faceoff Factor

Sharks Vs. Stars Game 5 Preview

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

May 2, 01:16 PM | Hype this story!

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Sharks (2) vs. Stars (5) Game 5
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Series Score: Sharks 1 – Stars 3
Game Time: 10:00 EST
Location: HP Pavilion (San Jose)
Television: Versus, TSN

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Preview
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A Milan Michalek punch-in on a third period power play proved to be the game-winner and series-extender for the San Jose Sharks. They currently trail in this series 3 games to 1 as the series resumes tonight in San Jose.

Perhaps it was the desperation that led to such a outcome. “We had nothing to lose,” said Sharks coach Ron Wilson. “Let’s go out and have some fun. Create a challenge out of a chance to make history when you’re down 3-0.”

Perhaps a Sergei Zubov turnover that led to the other San Jose tally could prove to be a turning point. “We’re going home and feel pretty confident about ourselves,” said shorthanded goal scorer Patrick Marleau.

Brian Campbell and Milan Michalek have really turned their games around in the latter stages of this series and are going a long way to keeping them alive. Of course, Evgeni Nabokov has been incredible throughout the playoffs and his strong play bailed his teammates out on a number of occasions.

For the typically hard-working Stars, they were restrained by a number of lazy penalties. “That’s the frustrating thing. Five stick penalties. You have to control your stick,” said Stars coach Dave Tippett. “It’s a tight game, so a play here or a play there is dictating the outcome.”

Stars captain Brendan Morrow agrees, “We put together some good shifts, but it’s tough to gain momentum when you’re killing off those penalties. Sometimes you gain a step on a big (penalty) kill, but sometimes it’s hard to get going again.”

The Stars plan for game 5 is to get back to basics it seems. They also want to be a more disciplined team. At least according to Brad Richards, “We’ll go out there and play a simple road game, stay out of the box and play smart. We have to get pucks in deep and try to limit what they’re doing.”

In a less than statistically significant stat, only twice in history has a team rallied from down 3-0 in a series. 1942 and 1975, they were separated by 33 years, and so is 1975 and 2008. Up until last night, three teams were down 3-0, but Colorado ended up going down in flames. However, still two teams are in the hunt to keep their seasons alive, including San Jose tonight.

The Stars and Sharks will meet for game 5 at the HP Pavilion tonight at 10:00 eastern.

For a complete list of team leaders and statistics, click here.

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Injuries
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Sharks: K.McLaren, day-to-day (lower body)
Stars: P.Boucher, Out (lower body)