San Jose Sharks

First overall in both the Western Conference and the league for most of this season, the Sharks have shown few signs of slowing down. Their game has been well-balanced, sitting fourth in goals for and penalty killing, second in shots on goal, third in faceoff percentage while giving up the second fewest shots against and the third fewest goals. Joe Thornton's usual brilliance, Patrick Marleau's return to form, the breakout performances of Devin Setoguchi and Ryane Clowe,the additions of Dan Boyle and Rob Blake to the defense and the solid goaltending of Evgeni Nabokov and Brian Boucher have been among the chief factors for the team's success and have the Sharks poised for an equally dominant second half. -- Spector