Faceoff Factor

Sharks Vs. Stars Game 6 Preview

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

May 4, 02:06 PM | Hype this story!

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Sharks (2) vs. Stars (5) Game 6
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Series Score: Sharks 2 – Stars 3
Game Time: 9:00 EST
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
Television: Versus, TSN, FSN Southwest, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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Preview
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Joe Pavelski was the game 5 hero early in the first overtime. Brian Campbell and Milan Michalek, both of whom turned their games around big time for this semifinal series, tallied in the 3-2 win. That effort has extended this series to yet another game, game 6 back in Dallas.

As outlined in previous previews, the Stars have struggled at home in the playoffs since 2003. It goes without saying that the Sharks are building a lot of momentum and would like to continue it for a game 7 in the Shark Tank.

The bounces and calls are starting to go the way of San Jose as well. Including a newly-coined Brendan Morrow hat trick, one goal scored, two goals disallowed.

However, Morrow is not concerned, he thrives on the pressure that the media and fans put on him, “I enjoy it, to tell you the truth. I enjoy listening to the media saying the pressure is all on us. I enjoy it, because it makes it that much more enjoyable when we prove them all wrong.”

Stars coach Dave Tippett may be tweaking the lines a bit for game 6. “We were just trying to tweak things a little bit, trying to see what we can come up with,” said Tippett about his line combinations. “We’re just trying to do whatever we can to win.”

Meanwhile, Sharks coach Ron Wilson continues his assertive confidence. “I’m not afraid to talk about being down in a series 3-0 and finding a way to win because you guys (the media) are all, ‘Ooooh, you’re not supposed to do that.’”

Wilson went on, “...The last 60 teams acted that way and talked about taking them one at a time – and they didn’t win.”

The Sharks coach mentioned how his team just need to win four in a row, which is not as daunting of a task as splitting the atom or curing cancer. He said now that it’s down to two games in a row, he’s even more confident. “...We’ve probably done that 20 times [this year].”

Veteran leaders Mike Grier and Jeremy Roenick had high praise for Wilson’s technique. Citing that Wilson told them that they could make history if they want to. “It just gave the guys a little bit of confidence,” said Grier.

The tone of the series sounds rather verbose and confident from the San Jose end and very quiet, reserved and has a trying-not-to-lose feel from the Dallas side. A pivotal game 6 will decide whether or not the Sharks will have a chance to make history or not on Tuesday.

The Stars and Sharks will meet for game 6 at the American Airlines Center tonight at 9:00 eastern.

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

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Injuries
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Sharks: K.McLaren, Questionable (groin)
Stars: S.Barnes, Questionable (concussion-like symptoms); P.Boucher, Out (lower body)