SAN JOSE, Calif. — Whether it’s been after a heart-stopping win or a crushing loss, San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan has always been consistent in his belief that new momentum is created at the start of every game.
Never before has McLellan hoped more that his belief in a lack of a carry-over effect was true than heading into tonight’s Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Sharks have squandered a 3-0 series advantage, blowing two third-period leads to move to the brink of becoming the fourth NHL team to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games.
“It doesn’t matter how we got here, whether it was 3-0 or win one, lose one,” McLellan said. “What matters is the input we put into the game (tonight). That will be the mental approach. Each of those individuals in there should be confident in their skill level and their commitment level. They’ve proven it before and it’s just a matter of bringing it to the rink and putting it on the ice.”
Both teams could be going into the crucial game short-handed. Ryane Clowe, who leads San Jose with 13 points this postseason, did not practice Wednesday after missing Game 6 because of an upper-body injury and is a game- time decision.
Forward Johan Franzen missed Tuesday’s game for Detroit because of an injured left ankle. His status for Game 7 is questionable.
