Wed Jan 30 16:08:53 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Sharks getting defensive in run to the top

---

(Sports Network) - Some people like to argue that the best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around?

Anyway, the Sharks seem to be taking the former to heart, as their defensive group is making sure that the club puts points on the board. Heading into play on Wednesday, San Jose's defense has posted a least a point in the team's last 13 games, a season best for the unit.

In total, the blueliners have put up 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists) and have helped the power play click at a 27.8 percent in that span. San Jose is also winning, going 8-3-2 in its last 13 games.

Craig Rivet is leading the way with 19 assists and 24 points. Half of those have come on the man advantage, as the 33-year-old has 14 power-play points (2g, 12a) this year.

Rivet has an assist in each of the Sharks' last four games, and three goals and six helpers in the past nine games.

Christian Ehrhoff, 25, is also getting it done with a goal and 16 assists in 47 games this year.

The Sharks recent winning run, six wins in their last 10 games, have helped put the club into a tie with the Stars for first place in the Pacific Division. Both clubs have 63 points on the season -- three more than third- place Anaheim -- but San Jose has played four fewer games than Dallas.

However, the clubs won't be going head-to-head for some time. San Jose does not play a divisional contest in February, and won't play a fellow Pacific resident until March 18 in Los Angeles.

San Jose is in Calgary on Wednesday before kicking off a six-game homestand on Saturday versus Chicago. Colorado, Columbus, Nashville, the Flames and Edmonton will all come calling on the stand.