San Jose Sharks: 5 Teams That Could Use Antero Niittymaki

It has been a tough break for Antero Niittymaki since becoming a San Jose Shark, especially in the last year.

Injuries have kept him down, and now with Thomas Greiss playing excellent in net in relief of Antti Niemi, it would seem that Niittymaki's days in teal are numbered.

San Jose Sharks: 5 Moves Todd McLellan Needs To Make

We shouldn't be surprised by a little inconsistency on the part of the San Jose Sharks. It seems every year this team starts off slow, then suddenly runs away with the Pacific Division.

The Good and the Bad of the San Francisco 49ers' Loss to the Baltimore Ravens

It is not often we can find good things about a loss at the hands of a playoff-bound AFC foe on one of the greatest stages the NFL has to offer. But the San Francisco 49ers managed to escape Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day with at least a little of their dignity and a secure spot as one of the remaining elite in the NFL.

San Jose Sharks' Penalty Kill Growing As A Unit

It is funny how the NHL works. From week to week, it seems that you can never tell which part of the team will either break down or become clutch in the right moments.

For the Sharks, a penalty kill that was the weakest part of their game just two weeks ago seems to be a key force on the ice in the last week.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens Preview & Prediction

Throw out the first 10 games. Throw out the tests that were the Eagles, Lions and Giants. Even throw out the 9-1 record because the San Francisco 49ers were never going to get the full respect until their Week 12 match-up with the Baltimore Ravens. It will be the team's biggest test and measuring bar on Thanksgiving day on one of the biggest regular season stages of the entire year.

San Francisco 49ers: Things to Pay Attention to Against Baltimore Ravens

The 49ers domination of division foe Arizona resulted in some good things discovered and some really bad things that should set up an intriguing match-up on Thanksgiving Day against the Baltimore Ravens.

San Jose Sharks Not Shy in Big Games This Season

It is hard to call any games "big" this early in the 2011-12 NHL season, but for the sake of the argument the San Jose Sharks have had a few, and won nearly all of them.

What defines a big game?

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals Preview & Prediction

Have the 49ers done enough to sway you into thinking they are Super Bowl contenders?

You better believe it.

It is hard to argue with a relentless defense, physical running back and a quarterback that can manage a game with the best in the NFL.

And so the Arizona Cardinals dawdle into Candlestick Park with an acquired quarterback that does not work and a team hoping for next season. That will not stop them from playing a gritty game against one of the NFL's elite.

San Jose Sharks: Top Prospects in Their System

The San Jose Sharks have made their mark in the NHL as a Western Conference powerhouse that is inches away from getting over that hurdle and into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Detroit Red Wings Pose Early Season Test For San Jose Sharks

The rivalry that is Sharks/Red Wings goes back many years, and everyone knows that story well whether you root for one team or the other.

For now, the rivalry has swung the Sharks' way after two seasons of playoff exits for the Red Wings at the hands of the Sharks. Suddenly, San Jose is a playoff powerhouse after so many years of looking up at Detroit. If only they could get over that last hurdle, and there always seems to be one that time of year.

San Francisco 49ers Yet to Prove Themselves to the Monday Morning Quarterback

The San Francisco 49ers (8-1) took yet another step towards the NFL's best when they defeated the New York Giants (6-3) in their biggest test this season.

Even without Frank Gore, the 49ers managed to pull away a win from the Giants who have made their mark this season with late-game scores, and San Francisco was a Justin Smith batted ball away from possibly falling into that same category.

San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants Preview & Prediction

A test...finally a test.

Before Week 1, did you think that would be what we were saying in Week 10?

Not sure many did, but the match-up agains the New York Giants on Sunday will be an actual test, and a good one at that.

San Jose Sharks: Todd McLellan Tinkering With the Defensive Third Line

The San Jose Sharks have clicked as a team, simply said. Martin Havlat has made an impression that second line and the team is continually growing together to gain chemistry with one another as the season is progressing.

San Francisco Giants: Jonathan Sanchez Dealt For Melky Cabrera

Hot stove this early? Evidently, yes, because the San Francisco Giants traded Jonathan Sanchez to the Royals for Melky Cabrera on Monday.

In fact, Giants GM Brian Sabean may have managed to force a wry smile after hearing that the Royals actually wanted to take Sanchez off their hands.