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The Sharks are officially back in the playoffs, clinching a spot Tuesday night after the Colorado Avalanche beat the host Minnesota Wild 3-1.
The Sharks, with 94 points and in second place in the Western Conference and Pacific Division, were going to clinch a spot if the Wild lost in any fashion. Minnesota, with 77 points, remains one point back of the Arizona Coyotes for the Western Conference’s second wild card spot and with only eight games left, can now reach a maximum of 93 points.
It’s the 13th time in the last 14 years, and the fourth straight year, the Sharks have qualified for the postseason.
The Sharks could have clinched a spot on their own during their just-completed three-game homestand with a win against either Florida, Nashville or Vegas. But the Sharks lost all three games in regulation time, including a 7-3 drubbing at the hands of the Golden Knights on Monday. Vegas is third in the Pacific Division with 87 points.
San Jose is three points back of the Calgary Flames, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Tuesday night, for first place in the west. Both the Sharks and Flames have nine games left. The Sharks’ next game is Thursday in Los Angeles against the Kings.
The Sharks are searching for their first Pacific Division title since 2011.
Also Tuesday, the Sharks announced playoff tickets will go on sale to the public on March 27 at 10 a.m. at sjsharks.com/playoffs, by phone 1-800-745-3000 or at the SAP Center ticket office. Due to the limited number of tickets available after the Sharks365 member presale, ticket buyers may purchase a maximum of eight tickets per transaction.
