SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks returned from the All-Star break in playoff position but knowing they have almost no margin for error if they want to make an 11th straight post-season trip.The Sharks entered Tuesday in second place in the Pacific Division with 56 points in 48 games. But with only a 10-point lead over 12th place Minnesota in the tightly packed Western Conference, the Sharks know they have their work cut out for them down the stretch of the season.Were in a dogfight, coach Todd McLellan said. Thats the best way of putting it. My time here with the group weve been comfortably in the playoff picture. There have been a couple other years where we had to battle and were in the middle of one of those battles or dogfights.San Jose has made the playoffs for 10 straight seasons — the second-longest active streak in the NHL. But after becoming just the fourth NHL team to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games in the first round last year against Los Angeles, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson talked about the need to take a step back before taking two steps forward.The team made few off-season additions, choosing instead to give more opportunities to young players. Rookies like Melker Karlsson and Barclay Goodrow have made contributions this season and young veterans like Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic have taken on added responsibility.But more work is needed if the Sharks are going to reach the level of the top teams in the Western Conference.Were in a playoff spot right now, so positive, Couture said about his outlook on the team. I dont know if weve played our best hockey yet. Were still improving, which is also positive. We realize we have a tough road ahead to get to the playoffs.Consistency has been a major problem for the Sharks, who have seven losses against the bottom six teams in the league but are 6-0-2 against the four first-place teams.Were a middle-of-the-pack team right now, McLellan said. Until we declare ourselves any different and thats through play and wins, thats what we are. We have to take steps forward to overcome that.The Sharks will begin the post-break stretch on Thursday night against Anaheim without two key players. Defenceman Justin Braun and forward Tommy Wingels both broke bones in their left hands on Jan. 19 against New Jersey. Braun got hurt blocking a shot from Mike Cammalleri and Wingels was injured on a slash by Cammalleri later in the game.Both players are expected to miss a few more weeks but would like to be back in time to play the outdoor game at Levis Stadium on Feb. 21 against Los Angeles. Whether that is possible remains to be seen.The Sharks managed to win their first game without those two key players last Wednesday when they beat Los Angeles 4-2.Tommy and Brauny are big parts of our team, Goodrow said. Tommy can really play anywhere in our lineup — special teams, PK, PP. Hes a key guy on our team and with him out, guys like myself are going to need to step up and bring a little more to the table.The Sharks do expect to get rookie defenceman Mueller back. Mueller has been out with an upper-body injury since returning from the World Junior Championship Custom San Diego Padres Jerseys . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. Fake Padres Jerseys .ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season. https://www.cheappadresjerseys.us/ . With Washington teammate Nene drawing double-teams coming off his big game against the Lakers, Gortat scored 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Wizards to a 100-92 win in overtime over Milwaukee on Wednesday night. Cheap Padres Jerseys . Reyes, 26, was traded from Atlanta to Toronto in July 2010 and spent the remainder of the season in the minors. He began 2011 in the majors and made 20 starts with the Blue Jays, going 5-8 with a 5.40 earned run average before he was waived on Aug. Padres Jerseys 2019 . -- Mississippis Andrew Ritter said his game-winning, 41-yard field goal felt good off his foot.During the game, Mutombo was set to help Rocky, the Denver Nuggets mascot perform a tramppoline dunk, but Deke was up to his old tricks.dddddddddddd NO NO NO! ' ' '