This game kicks off tonight at 7:30pm Sharks time. Pregame starts around 7ish. Tonight there's no World Series interference, so you can watch hockey free of the nagging "I have to check the score of the game" thoughts.

I don't know what to say about the Avs this so far season. 10-1-2? Can we make that 10-2-2 tonight, Sharks? :D

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that winning in the 6th round of the shoot out is better than coming back from a four goal deficit only to lose.

The first period was pretty much all LA as the Sharks came out slow again. Nasty habit, that. They weren't super slow though, so I'm going to say they're improving in the slow start department. Even if it's only a little bit.

Mmmm...early penalties.

Ok, can't really complain there. Ortmeyer may have marched to the box a tad early but (if the box score is correct) there were a total of four penalties all night. 2 for the Sharks and 2 for the Kings. All in the first. Not saying the refs didn't miss some stuff, but it was missed evenly if nothing else.

The Sharks take on the Kings tonight at 7:30pm Shark time. Back on home ice after a long road trip, the Sharks will be looking to win one at the Tank and oh yeah, keep getting the first goals. And not fall behind only to come back in the last 2 periods because a season of that would be crazy. Please don't make me stab my pumpkin in frustration over people claiming the sky is falling.

Last time, the Sharks managed to claw their way back from a 4 goal deficit only to lose 6-4 in the end. This caused many people, who apparently weren't aware that it was a new season and the Kings had improved themselves, to panic. OMGWECANTEVENBEATTHEKINGS wtsfhfjd;fsfjj HWFO.

Admittedly, a lot of that was carry over from last years abrupt ending.While I understand the carry over, it's made for a somewhat poisonous environment in part of Sharkland this season. It has gotten better since the Sharks finished their road trip 4 and 2 but it's still there, hovering. Like a ghostly mist...ooooh spooky.

I started this tiny project right before the season began. After having a lively conversation on twitter with Odin Mercer of Five for Howling, I decided it would be really fun to try to make a painting of Gary Bettman in the style of Francis Bacon. Specifically, in the style of his "screaming Pope" piece. (officially titled "Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X")

Now, I don't paint in oils, and I don't used feces (supposedly. I was told that in classes but I can't find something to reference) in my paintings either. And I don't quite have Francis Bacon's ability to make hauntingly twisted images that can, on a slow night in art history class, scare you. I've only painted work in something close to his style once, for a master's study in painting class in like 2001. It's not quite where I'd like it to be, the eyes and mouth got lost somewhere between the layers of charcoal dragged across the canvas, but it's still pretty amusing, I think.

From here. Our twitpic page. Anyone else find that name hilariously insulting?

This isn't a great picture of it. I wanted to get a better one today b a) it was windy as all get out outside and I didn't want to spray sealant in that kind of wind and b) my camera battery flaked out on me...again. So, as soon as that remembers that it is, in fact, charged, I'll post a new picture.

CouchTarts: Combining art and hockey since whenever we started this blog

Speaking of, if you like dark work, I was just recently introduced to Beksinski. Awesome stuff.

Whooooooo, what a game that was, eh?

It's funny. I read some reaction for Flyers fans and it was like we were watching two different games. They thought the pace was slow, while I thought it was quite good considering how the Sharks have been lately.

You know what I love? Scoring the first goal of the game.

You know what I love more? Manny being Manny twice in one game.

Greiss did so much better than I think the majority of us expected. Like SO MUCH BETTER. He stopped 37 shots. 37! I would not ave guessed he'd be anywhere near that solid before the game.

He did sort of flail around a bit, but he moved decently well and was downright amazing at times.

Amusingly enough, none of the Sharks who scored on Boosh were teammates of his last year. See, mixing it up can be beneficial.

What was with all those bad calls last night? How is that charging? Holding? what? It was like that for both sides.

I kinda get annoyed when one side scores on a make up call, as the Sharks did last night, but there's not much I can do about it. I would prefer the games be called well so we don't HAVE make up calls, but I know I am asking too much out of 4 dudes on the ice. It was making up for that non boarding call which was ridiculous. I think everyone but the refs knew that should have been called.

Puck Fronger. So glad that guy is out of the west.

It does pain me slightly to see Matt Carle (MATT CARLE!) paired with Pronger, but I'll manage.

Randy and Drew had fun saying Powe (POW!) all night. They are ON this season.

I noticed in the first when I'd boo Pronger the Sharks would turn the puck over. I stopped, and then they scored. I decided that was a sign and didn't boo Pronger (much) for the rest of the night.

I am not at all sure of why it is that in the one fight (wrestling match, really) Shelley got the second call for interference when there was clearly reason to give an instigator penalty to the Flyers. That was such BS.

"Why do they keep booing?"

"They're saying Boooooooosssssssshhhhhhhhhh."

It's like "Goooooooooooooooooooch" only with more b sounds and less confused JR on the bench.

The fun kicks off today @ 4pm Sharks time.

I don't really know what else to say about this game. The Flyers are always a tough team to play against, and I don't expect anything like last years VERY BIZZARE 7-6 game. It was like trading chances out there. Last year they also met during one of the longest distance home and homes I suspect the league saw that season.

I do, however, still dislike Pronger. A lot.

The relief of knowing former alternate cap'n elbows is securely in the East and not likely to bother us much is somewhat refreshing. However, he'll be on the ice tonight, and I suspect he'll be just as annoying as he was when he was in the west.

I still plan to boo him every time he touches the puck.

Update:

WTC has some news. Looks like Seto and Vesce are out tonight but McGinn and Cogan are in. Boosh will probably be in net. Only time this year I want him to get the L instead of the W.

Pollak, as always, is the man.