218 shares share tweet sms send email By: | October 27, 2013 11:20 am Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports The San Jose Sharks (9-1-1) will be aiming for their 20th and 21st point in 12 games tonight when they play in Ottawa (5 p.m.). The Sharks may rest goalie Antti Niemi for the first time this season, giving backup Alex Stalock his first start. Here’s why the Sharks may have their best shot at a Stanley Cup. 1. Blackhawks vibe: There are similarities between these Sharks and the Chicago team that has won two of the last four Stanley Cup titles. Speed. Transition game.  Scoring depth. 2. Olds dogs, new tricks: The Sharks seem to have the perfect blend of older veterans (Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle), established difference makers (Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski) and a young star in waiting (Tomas Hertl). Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports 3. Goalie best in the west: When you factor in experience, accomplishments and current level of play, Niemi is the best goalie in the WesternConference. He’s already won a Stanley Cup, and he’s durable and he is in the prime of his career. He has the perfect unflappable demeanor. 4. Sneaky good defense: Aside from Boyle, Sharks defensemen don’t often find the spotlight. But Brad Stuart, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Jason Demers, Scott Hannan, Matt Irwin and Justin Braun are playing at a high level as a group. This is mobile, cohesive, puck possession defense that knows how to defend, reclaim the puck and move it up ice. Would you be shocked if I told you Braun is averaging more minutes (21:31) than anyone on the San Jose defense right now? He’s presently one of the NHL’s most underrated players. 5. Strong supporting cast: The Sharks’ depth is better than it has been in the past. The third and fourth lines are quicker, more dangerous. They put pressure on the opposition. Players such as Tommy Wingels, Matt Nieto and Tyler Kennedy are all making key contributions on a nightly basis.  Their contributions help make the Sharks’ theNHL’s highest-scoring offense and the Western Conference’s best 5-on-5. Your games tonight: San Jose at Ottawa, 5  Tampa Bay at Florida, 5  Anaheim at Columbus, 6  Winnipeg at Colorado, 8  Edmonton at Los Angeles, 9  , 218 shares share tweet sms send email