Honestly, the coaching connections between the two teams are crazy. Over the summer, it was joked about how the Sharks traded Todd Richards for Matt Shaw, and how we were hosed in the deal. But seriously, I don’t think that even the Sutter family has this many coaching connections. Well, at least not as convoluted. The Sutters are just like, “he’s his brother,” and they’re done.

And on the coaches note, Jacques Lemaire, the head coach of the Wild since their inception, was let go over the summer in lieu of Todd Richards. Let’s have a moment of silence for this now-dated meme parody:

Okay, now let’s bring out the new one!

Wait, no, sorry, that’s the old-old one. Here’s the new one:

Much better, don’t you think?

Anyways, enough with the picture foolishness. Down to the game!

Basically, Sharks started out flat-footed as usual, going down 2-0. But then Jed Ortmeyer (yes, Jed freaking Ortmeyer) had a goal on a beautiful setup, which prompted San Jose’s floodgates to metaphorically open. Marleau then got on the board after shooting at Backstrom and then chipping in his own rebound over flopping goalie. Oh, and then he went around the net and stuffed the puck back in, just in case. The assists on that play? Huskins and Shelley. That’s never going to happen again.

Heatley also one-timed a goal for the Sharks lead and the eventual game winner, which was really pretty. But the back-breaker was really Marleau’s second goal, nine seconds into the third period when Marleau turned on his jets and sped past Minnesota and scored on a breakaway. Bet they miss Gaborik now, huh? Then again, he’d just hurt his groin trying to catch up to Marleau, so maybe not.

Other notes:

• Hits record-holder Cal Clutterbuck and general beast Douglas Murray met tonight. Clutterbuck tried to hit Murray. Murray hit back. Clutterbuck is now injured. Therefore, Murray is better.
• Owen Nolan scored against the Sharks. Also: water is wet, Pope is Catholic.
• Wild got a 2 minute 5-on-3 and failed to score. Actually, they took a penalty and gave up two shorthanded chances to the Sharks. Probably the worst 2 minute 5-on-3 you can achieve without allowing a goal.
• Good things come to those who plant their asses in front of goalies.
• Remember the Evgeni Nabokov of 2007-08? Yeah, that one showed up tonight. Honestly, there is no goalie better than him when Super Nabby shows up.
• Marleau has tied Heatley for the team lead in goals. Don’t think many have expected that.