Stanley Cups: 0

2011-'12 record: 43-29-5-5, 96 points (2nd in Pacific, 7th in West)

2011-'12 playoffs: Lost to St. Louis Blues 4-1

Coach: Todd McLellan (195-92-41, 5th NHL year, 1st team)

Top returning scorer: C Joe Thornton (18 goals, 59 assists, 77 points)

Top returning goalie: Antti Niemi (34-22-9, 2.42, .915)

Key additions: D Brad Stuart; RW Adam Burish; C Bracken Kearns.

Key subtractions: C Andrew Murray; C Dominic Moore; C Torrey Mitchell; LW Brad Winchester; RW Benn Ferriero; D Jim Vandermeer; D Colin White.

Goaltending: Niemi’s first hockey job was driving a Zamboni back in his native Finland. He returned home during the lockout to play for Pelicans Lahti. Backstopped Chicago to the 2009-10 Stanley Cup title, becoming the first Finnish-born goalie to win the Cup.

Player to watch: D Matt Tennyson. With just eight blue-liners in camp, the free-agent signing from Western Michigan (CCHA) will get a long look. He was a Second Team All-CCHA choice and a finalist for the conference’s top offensive defenseman last season.

Icing: Stuart signed for less money with Sharks ($3.6 million per season) than he was earning with Detroit ($3.75 million) because he wanted to be back home with his family, who remained in California while he played for the Red Wings . . . C Joe Pavelski set a career high with 31 goals in 2011-12 . . . Sharks have regressed in wins in each of McLellan’s four seasons as coach and a slow start could put him on the hot seat.

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Biting back

PHT: After coming back home in an 0-2 hole, the Sharks are now even with the Kings after holding on to win Game 4 Tuesday night.

NBC Sports

Highlights: Sharks even series with Kings

  The San Jose Sharks capitalized on their scoring chances in the first period and the early part of the second period in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Kings. After falling behind by two goals, the Kings almost cut the lead in half in the second period, but the referee blew the play dead as the puck was about to cross the goal line. The series is now tied at two.

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