Scott Gomez News

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Being ever the optimist about the San Jose Sharks, I pointed out to coach Todd McLellan on Friday that no team in franchise history has recovered from losing the first two games of a playoff series to come back and win it.

It happens each year in the playoffs: there are players not only fighting for the Stanley Cup, but to upgrade their own hockey future because they are scheduled to become free agents this summer.

Los Angeles Kings centre Jeff Carter celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game 2 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series, Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Los Angeles.

Sharks forward Raffi Torres was suspended for the rest of San Jose's second-round playoff series against Los Angeles on Thursday for an illegal check to the head of Kings forward Jarret Stoll during the opener.

Whatever confidence the Sharks gained with their four-game sweep of the Vancouver Canucks did not do them any good Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

They are the vexation dynamos of Northern California sports. Since 2004, they have qualified for the playoffs more often than any other Bay Area pro team.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi bumps helmets with Patrick Marleau after a win over the Vancouver Canucks at HP Pavilion in San Jose during their NHL first-round playoff series on May 5, 2013.

The Sharks spent some time in practice Saturday preparing for what either the Chicago Blackhawks or the Los Angeles Kings might present to them in a second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Coach Todd McLellan has not made any decision on who will replace Adam Burish in the Sharks' lineup when the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next week.

If the Anaheim Ducks beat the Detroit Red Wings on Friday in Detroit, the Sharks, seeded sixth, will play the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference semifinals with the series starting on a yet-to-be-determined date.

May 7, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks celebrate with center Patrick Marleau after scoring the game winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the overtime period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at HP Pavilion.

This column comes with a warning: We have been fooled before by the Sharks. They tantalize and then they teeter.

Veteran Scott Gomez returned to the Sharks lineup Sunday night and jokingly credited the team's marketing department for the timing.

Jan 27, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi defends the shot by Vancouver Canucks right wing Jannik Hansen during the first period at HP Pavilion.

Sharks coach Todd McLellan is optimistic center Scott Gomez will be available to play against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday in Game 3 of their opening round series at HP Pavilion.

Derek Roy, pictured, will centre Vancouver's No. 2 line with wingers Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins.

May 1, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo and defenceman Frank Corrado and left wing Mason Raymond during the third period of game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Rogers Arena.

"It's playoffs, guys. You know we're not going to give you anything," coach Todd McLellan said.

The Sharks learned they will be facing veteran goalie Roberto Luongo in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, but said that it didn't matter who would be in the net against them.

The Sharks took the high road Saturday, choosing not to complain about the Chicago Blackhawks' decision to sit seven core players against St.