SJS vs DAL

The San Jose Sharks are taking this history thing one step at a time.

After going down 3-0 in their best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series with Dallas, the Sharks took the first step toward their unlikely goal by fighting through a tough and tight 2-1 win in Game 4 Wednesday.

Now, for the next step in trying to become only the third team in NHL history to rebound from a 3-0 deficit in a series (the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders), the Sharks say they have to methodically win the small battles and capture Game 5 Friday in San Jose.

If they do that, then they can really start to put some pressure on the Stars.

"We know it's going to take a lot of hard work, and it's only going to get harder,'' said centre Joe Pavelski. "We wanted to be able to go back to our building and play there and get a chance to win one there.''

The Sharks, of course, lost the first two games of the series at home, and Dallas is 8-0-1 in its last nine trips to HP Pavilion. So protecting "their house'' will be a significant matter of pride for the Sharks in Game 5.

"`We'll embrace the challenge to make history in coming back from a 3-0 deficit,'' Sharks coach Ron Wilson said. "We've been sitting back and not playing Sharks' hockey enough.''

Expect them to try to not sit back in Game 5.

The Stars, meanwhile, missed out on their first chance at a playoff sweep since 1999, but they say they are focused in on a quick recovery. Dallas lost Game 3 to Anaheim in the first round, and then followed that quickly with a Game 4 victory.

"That's already in the past,'' Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "If you would have said, you were 3-1 going into Game 5 and you have a chance to close the series out, hey, that's what you're looking for. Our attitude ever since the series started is win the next one. Game 5 is our whole focus right now.''

Marleau and Zubov

Sharks captain Patrick Marleau obviously is zoning in on Sergei Zubov right now. Marleau has picked Zubov's pocket twice in the past two games and scored two huge short-handed goals. Marleau is doing it on pure instincts, as he's not a regular penalty killer.

"He hasn't played penalty kill all year long,'' said Sharks centre Joe Thornton. "He just has great speed. And obviously, when he gets the chance, he's going to put it in the back of the net.''

Zubov is just four weeks removed from a procedure in Germany to repair a sports hernia injury. He is clearly not 100 per cent and, in addition to the turnovers, he has been beaten down the left wing on a couple of occasions by the speedy Marleau.

"He's fighting through it and he's getting up to speed,'' Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "I have every bit of confidence in Zubie that he'll be fine.''

Barnes still questionable

Stu Barnes is listed as questionable for Game 5. He was hit in the head by Jonathan Cheechoo in Game 3 and missed Game 4 with concussion-like symptoms. He worked out Thursday, but the Stars say they will make a decision on whether or not he plays at some point on Friday.

Brunnstrom visits Dallas

Highly-sought free agent Fabian Brunnstrom of Sweden visited Dallas over the past two days and attended Game 4 as a guest of the team. Brunnstrom, 23, is a late-bloomer who was undrafted when he was draft eligible.

Because Brunnstrom, a 6-1, 203-pound left wing, can only sign a maximum entry level contract, his choice will come down to a recruiting process. He has narrowed his choices to Dallas, Detroit and Montreal and will visit all three teams on this trip to North America.

"It's a great opportunity to sell our city and our franchise, but it really sells itself,'' Stars co-general manager Les Jackson said. "He's looking for the best fit for him, and we hope we're it.''

Brunnstrom came in Tuesday night and on Wednesday toured the Stars' plane, American Airlines Center and talked with key figures, including Dallas assistant coach Ulf Dahlen, who has a history of scouting in Sweden.

They said it

“It's a fine line. They could be even with us or ahead. We won twice in overtime, so we're fortunate to be where we are. But I like where we are.''

- Stars centre Brad Richards on taking a 3-1 lead into Game 5 Friday in San Jose.