NEWS » om our guys, from our medical side

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Its not last season anymore.Thats obvious, of course, but what it means in a hockey context is that the San Jose Sharks (7-6-0) and the Florida Panthers (6-6-1) are battling to regain their form.Both teams will be trying to rekindle that magic from last season on Thursday when the Sharks visit the Panthers. San Jose made the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in its history last season and Florida set the franchise record with 47 victories.Recent events show signs of improvement.The Sharks snapped a three-game losing streak by winning on the road and dominating one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, beating the Washington Capitals 3-0 on Tuesday.That win was big for us just to kind of right the ship for us a little bit, said Sharks goalie Martin Jones, who made 24 saves. Everything kind of went our way.For the Panthers, starting goalie Roberto Luongo broke a personal four-game losing streak by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Monday.Even better for Florida is the fact that it is starting to get healthier.Forward Jussi Jokinen, who has missed the past nine games due to a knee injury, is set to return on Thursday against the Sharks.Hes ready to play, Panthers coach Gerard Gallant confirmed.Florida center Nick Bjugstad, who has yet to play this season due to a broken hand, is set to return next week.The Panthers also made a trade on Wednesday, acquiring former New York Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound bruiser.Florida dealt the Rangers a conditional seventh-round draft pick and 28-year-old defenseman Steven Kampfer, who has been a healthy scratch in 12 of 13 games this season. The Rangers sent Kampfer to their AHL affiliate, so he is a non-factor, for now at least.McIlrath, 24, could actually help the Panthers. He was a first-round pick, No. 10 overall, in 2010, but has been unable to crack New Yorks lineup of top-seven defenseman.Part of the problem for McIlrath is that he doesnt play the speed and puck-moving game the Rangers prefer. But with the Panthers, his toughness could be an asset if they indeed use him.Interestingly, the Sharks played the power game all the way to their first Western Conference title last season. But then in the offseason, general manager Doug Wilson added speed by acquiring David Schlemko and Mikkel Boedker as free-agent signings.Neither player has made much of an impact so far, combining for a total of just five points.The Sharks were outstanding on the road last season with a 28-10-3 record. They are off to a 3-4-0 start in 2016-17, including that big win over Washington on Tuesday.The Panthers will have a couple of advantages on Thursday that have nothing to do with personnel -- they are home and did not have to travel. They also have one more days rest in between games than San Jose.Panthers backup goalie James Reimer played for San Jose last season, but is not expected to start on Thursday.San Jose was fourth in the NHL in average goals per game last season, and the Sharks power play is one of the most dynamic units in the NHL. That top unit includes forwards Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau along with defenseman Brent Burns at the point. Adidas Yeezy NZ Shoes .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Wholesale Adidas NZ . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. http://www.discountyeezynz.com/ . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Cheap Adidas Shoes NZ . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Cheap Yeezy NZ Online .ca! Kerry, Two nights after the Scott-Eriksson incident in Buffalo, the Bruins returned home to play San Jose. In that game, Zdeno Chara put a check on Tommy Wingels that clearly targeted his head. CLEVELAND -- Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber isnt sure if he can play defense when the World Series shifts to Wrigley Field for Games 3, 4 and 5 this weekend, but he and the team arent ruling anything out.Well see where it goes, Schwarber said after the Cubs 5-1 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 2 on Wednesday. Nothings set in stone. No ones told me anything, so as of right now, the story is still the same.Schwarber was the designated hitter for Games 1 and 2, going 3-for-7 with two walks and two RBIs -- both coming in Game 2. He missed all but three games of the regular season after tearing two ligaments in his left knee in early April, but doctors cleared him last week to play, though not in the field. At least not yet.I have no idea, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Were going to go back. We have a mandatory workout tomorrow, so were going to be at the ballpark. If its OK, possibly, you might see him taking some fly balls, if theres any chance at all.The Cubs could play Schwarber in left field and move?Ben Zobrist to right, as Maddon has started three different right fielders over the past three playoff games after benching Jason Heyward.Well see, Schwarber said. I havent tried it. So well take it day by day, like I said.Schwarber became the first position player in MLB history to earn his first hit of the season in the World Series after missing nearly the enttire year.ddddddddddddIm living the dream, Schwarber said. Were playing in the World Series. What else could you ask for? Im just going to keep riding the wave until it ends.The fourth pick in the 2014 draft is already a fan favorite after hitting five postseason home runs in 2015 to become the all-time franchise leader in that category. Cubs fans will undoubtedly be excited if Schwarber can do more than pinch hit over the next three games.[Its] going to be what the doctors tell us, Maddon said. But I honestly dont know. Thats something Im waiting to hear from our guys, from our medical side, because obviously, he looks good. He looks good at the plate. Running the bases, he looks pretty good so far. I talked to him there before his last at-bat. I asked him if he got on base if he was good to go. He said, Yes, and I said, OK, fine.Schwarber singled twice in Game 2 on Wednesday, each time driving in a run, then he walked, as the Cubs evened the Series 1-1. Game 3 is Friday night at Wrigley Field.?I have total faith that he can, Maddon said. Im not even concerned about that. My concern is what the doctor does say regarding lateral movement, quick stops, abrupt stops, change of direction. Those are the kind of things I dont know anything about. ' ' '