On Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks moved into first place in the Pacific Division - and released a whole lot of frustration. If not frustration, then there was some sort of other chip on their shoulders, as the team unleashed an onslaught of offensive production on the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the end walking away with a 7-2 victory.
Tampa Bay was hoping to resolve some goalie issues with Mathieu Garon making his fifth-straight start, but they didn't get anywhere on that front, as Garon was pulled after surrendering four goals in the first period. Dwayne Roloson also surrendered one in the first, and then went on to give up two more after that first frame. Those five goals in the first period were a franchise record for San Jose, and was the fastest amount of time they'd ever scored five goals in a regular season game. Those seven goals are the highest of the season for them, too.
Ben Ferriero got the scoring started, taking a pass from Joe Thornton behind the next just three minutes into the game and putting it in the net. Ferriero was in the lineup for the injured Martin Havlat, and production from him was exactly what San Jose wanted to see on Wednesday. Joe Pavelski then would score on the power play. Andrew Desjardins lit the lamp next, followed by two goals from Logan Couture, who really wanted a hat trick.
He wouldn't get it though, as Brent Burns and Patrick Marleau notched the next two goals to complete the offensive onslaught for San Jose.
Technically, San Jose shares the lead in the Pacific division with both the Dallas Stars and the Phoenix Coyotes, all three teams have 39 points. San Jose, though, has played two games less than the Stars, and three fewer than the Coyotes. Next, they've got the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.