Neither the San Jose Sharks or the Colorado Avalanche are in a good position as far as making the playoffs, sitting seven and eight points behind the Jets for the final wild card in the West. I think the Sharks will come out ahead here though as they did in a 3-2 shootout win in the opening month of the season.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Semyon Varlamov in the Shark Tank - Varly is yet to record a win at San Jose, going 0-3-2 with a 3.96 GAA lifetime. He's struggled on the road all season long compiling a 2.92 GAA while posting a 10-10-7 record and was pulled after less than 10 minutes his last outing away from home after giving up three goals on only seven shots at Edmonton on March 25th.

2. Home Cookin' - The Sharks have won 13 straight regular season meetings in their own building against the Avs. They're finally back home after a seven game road trek over 12 days and will be determined to show their home fans that they've still not given up on reaching the playoffs.

3. X-Factor - San Jose fell 3-2 in a shootout at Pittsburgh Sunday but has had a couple of days to regroup and is 14-3 in its last 17 playing on two days rest.

Selection: This is a play on the San Jose Sharks(10*)"