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5 Players the San Jose Sharks Will Need to Step Up to Make the Playoffs

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Bob Stanton - USA TODAY Sports

5 Players the Sharks Need to Rise Above

San Jose Sharks celebrate
Bob Stanton - USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Sharks find themselves in somewhat uncharted waters with the possibility of missing the playoffs. The Sharks haven't done so since the 2002-03 season, leading to a streak of 10-straight playoff seasons. If San Jose wishes to be one of the 16 playoff teams, these five players from their potent lineup will need to rise above expectations if the team wants to make another run at Lord Stanley's hardware.

5. Brent Burns

Brent Burns San Jose Sharks
Kyle Terada - USA TODAY Sports

5. Brent Burns

Brent Burns San Jose Sharks
Kyle Terada - USA TODAY Sports

There's no denying Burns' offensive skills and booming slap shot, but he's also capable of becoming a shut-down defenseman the Sharks can depend on a nightly basis . Burns' play in the defensive zone needs to immediately improve as he leads the NHL in turnovers which has cost the Sharks more than a few wins. Whether he's used as a forward or defenseman, Burns is a force on the ice which is exactly what the Sharks need come playoff hockey.

4. Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto San Jose Sharks
Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports

4. Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto San Jose Sharks
Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports

Playing on the Sharks' second line alongside star forwards Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture has seen Nieto's speedy play reach new levels. This needs to continue as Nieto only has seven goals and 21 points in 57 games, one powerplay point and a -7 rating on the year. He may surpass his point total set last season, but Nieto is more than capable of getting on a hot streak that could impact a first-round playoff matchup.

3. Tomas Hertl

Tomas Hertl San Jose Sharks
Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports

3. Tomas Hertl

Tomas Hertl San Jose Sharks
Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports

This young sensation wowed fans across the NHL last season with his Datsyuk-like dekes and pinpoint accuracy. Since recovering from a horrific knee injury, Hertl isn't, understandably, playing at the level he did in the past leaving the Sharks' scoring attack with somewhat of a hole to fill. If Hertl can fully heal and play at the level he's given glimpses of, he could give San Jose that balanced scoring arsenal they had just a season ago.

2. Patrick Marleau

Patrick Marleau San Jose Sharks
Ed Szczepanski - USA TODAY Sports

2. Patrick Marleau

Patrick Marleau San Jose Sharks
Ed Szczepanski - USA TODAY Sports

Marleau has seven seasons of scoring 30 goals or more, is a three-time All-Star, San Jose's all-time leader in goals, points, powerplay goals and game-winning goals and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. Even though he's become an elite player over his 17-year career, Marleau's drive and leadership abilities have been questioned over the years. The Sharks need their veteran leader to set the standard in the locker room and on the ice.

1. Antti Niemi

Antti Niemi San Jose Sharks
Bob Stanton - USA TODAY Sports

1. Antti Niemi

Antti Niemi San Jose Sharks
Bob Stanton - USA TODAY Sports

Niemi has had some success as the Sharks' netminder in his four seasons with San Jose, but his effort in recent seasons hasn't been strong or reliable, especially during the playoffs. His shaky, inconsistent play coupled with soft goals and blown leads has crippled San Jose's season and chance for a postseason. Niemi is capable at playing at an elite level which may give the Sharks a shot at redemption after last season's playoff embarrassment.

Derik Irvin is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @d_m_irvin or “Friend” him on Facebook.

 

 

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