Antero Niittymaki

San Jose Sharks backup goalie Antero Niittymaki has undergone surgery to fix a lower-body injury that occurred in February of this past season. He will miss 12 weeks in recovery, as reported on Thursday.

This leaves an otherwise solid net situation vulnerable. But another injury will actually be helpful in finding out just how much.

The Islanders are building a significant young corps of key hockey players with Stars like John Tavares, Michael Grabner and a right-handed shooting power play quarterback and Olympic defenseman Mark Streit playing out of Switzerland.  With this International appeal, the Islanders are in dire need of the goalie they are missing out on in the Rick DiPietro bust.

How would you like to be San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan right now?

Okay, he's probably not the worst person to be right now, I mean, he is head coach of a team that came back from a 4-0 deficit to win 6-5 in overtime in the playoffs and take control of the series.

But how about the decision he has to make for Game 4 in Los Angeles on Thursday night?

The Sharks return to the friendly confines of HP Pavilion to kick off a three-game homestand, before hitting the road once more. While the Sharks put down the Stars, to snap a three game winless streak, they are still not out of the woods by any stretch.

They will also be missing star winger Dany Heatley, who was suspended for two games for elbowing Dallas Stars' left winger, Steve Ott.

Antti Niemi signed a four-year extension that will keep him in teal through the 2014-15 season.

At $3.8 million per year, a salary-cap friendly price for a Stanley Cup winning and underrated net-minder, Niemi is currently the longest contracted Shark—and the only player under contract for the 2014-2015 season.

The NHL Trade Deadline is just five calendar days away. That hasn't stopped the trades or GM's phones from ringing. With many teams still looking to fill needs with limited assets, it figures to be a eventful week leading to the deadline.

While many experts may surmise that the San Jose Sharks are done with their trade process, the fact is they are not. Despite being snug up against the cap, there are a multitude of reasons for this line of reasoning.

One week really can make a difference.

In three games over the last week, the San Jose Sharks went from the pits of a six-game losing streak to the high of a three-game winning streak.

Three games is modest to be sure, but all three teams were ahead of the Sharks in the standings. Two of the games were on the road. They scored 10 goals in the three games against good goaltenders and doubled-up their opponents all three times.

In the offseason, Sharks GM Doug Wilson made a few transactions to replace long-time netminder Evgeni Nabokov.  These moves included signing 30-year-old Fin Antero Niittymaki, and eventually Stanley-Cup-winning goaltender Antti Niemi.  Many Sharks fans got really excited with the addition of Niemi.  However, Niemi hasn't lived up to Sharks fans' hopes and expectations.  Meanwhile, Niittymaki has been anything and everything the Sharks have asked for.

Three stars: Mikko Kolvu, Min: 1 assist

Two Stars: Andrew Brunette, Min: 1 goal.

One Star:Nikas Backstrom, Min: 36 saves.

For really the first time all season, San Jose's offense was shut down. 

San Jose, Calif.

San Jose Sharks (5-3-1) Five

Anaheim Ducks (4-7-1) Two

Whenever Northern and Southern California teams play each other, emotions run high. In a tense and physical match, the San Jose Sharks showed off their offensive prowess in a 5-2 win.

After a shaky start, the San Jose Sharks have found their grove.