On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa the Sharks early defense measures have made all the difference for the Sharks as it helped them with victories in St.Louis and in Chicago as the Sharks shocked the Blackhawks with a 2-0 shutout. The Sharks Joe Thornton says that the defensive strategy of keeping opponents away from the Sharks end of the ice has worked out well and holding the offense from taking shots on net have given the Sharks an advantage to focus on holding other teams off then get their own shots on net to score.

The Sharks are noted for being the stingiest team in the NHL when playing with the lead and they are tied for the most wins 11. The Sharks start a five game road trip on Tuesday night starting in Tampa Bay and later heading to Florida, Carolina, St.Louis, and Colorado.

Mary Lisa Walsh is the San Jose Sharks beat writer and does the Sharks podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo credit: nhl.nbcsports.com The San Jose Sharks Joe Thornton says team defense has improved the Sharks success