Sharks’ long streak making believers out of the doubters

San Jose established a club-record 11-game roll before losing to Edmonton Sunday.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Just a month ago, Jeremy Roenick wasn’t totally sure his struggling San Jose Sharks would make the NHL playoffs, even with all their talent, experience and depth.

After the longest winning streak in franchise history, Roenick’s only remaining question is whether the Sharks can ride this wave all the way into June.

San Jose’s club-record 11-game roll ended Sunday night, but the 2-1 shootout loss to Edmonton still produced the Sharks’ 23rd point in 12 games.

Led by a rejuvenated captain, a new defenseman and a tireless goalie, San Jose has replied to the doubters who saw the preseason Stanley Cup favorites’ first 60 games as a disappointment — particularly the five before their winning run.

“We had that five-game losing streak, and when you’re in a playoff race and you get scared of actually missing the playoffs, it gets your attention,” said Roenick, recalling a miserable trip from New Jersey to Philadelphia right before the streak began.

“Everything started going right at that time, and it just built on itself. It’s an energy, and everybody thrives off it. We feel really confident right now.”

With 93 points, the Sharks (42-21-3-6) have leaped three points ahead of Anaheim and four in front of Dallas in the tight Pacific Division after mostly trailing for 41‚Ñ2 months.

Only Detroit, the overall NHL leader seven points ahead of San Jose, has a better record.

“With a little bit of luck, we might be able to reel Detroit in,” coach Ron Wilson said.

“But you want to just keep on plugging and win the games in hand.”

San Jose also has two games in hand on both of its division rivals, putting the Sharks in control of their hopes to avoid a rough first-round playoff matchup.

The Pacific winner will get the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference postseason, while the second- and third-place teams are almost certain to play each other in the first round.

Just in case the players forget, Wilson’s typically detail-oriented staff has posted a spreadsheet outside the locker room with every playoff contender’s point total and remaining schedule.

“Absolutely, every single day,” defenseman Craig Rivet said when asked if he checks the standings. “Guys are very aware of what’s happening. We’re in a dogfight to try and get second place. Guys know the repercussions if we don’t. We want to be the team that has the home-ice advantage.”

The Sharks seemingly have had every advantage ever since defenseman Brian Campbell arrived from the Buffalo Sabres two games into the winning streak.

Campbell, a two-time All-Star and a cornerstone of Buffalo’s back-to-back conference finalists, has been even better than San Jose expected.

He immediately assumed a lead role on the Sharks’ power play, logging heavy minutes and scoring 11 points in 10 games.