Pittsburgh Penguins' Alex Goligoski(notes) (3) and San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton(notes) (19) vie for the puck in front of the Penguins' goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury(notes) is at left, and Sharks Dany Heatley(notes).

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Joe Thornton(notes) #19 of the San Jose Sharks looks to pass against Antoine Vermette(notes) #50 of the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 4, 2009 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. San Jose won the game 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe(notes) (29) celebrates with teammate Joe Thornton(notes) (19) after Thornton scored a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. Blue Jackets' Antoine Vermette(notes) (50) skates away.

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Joe Thornton(notes) #19 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his first-period goal with Ryane Clowe(notes) #29 during NHL action against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 4, 2009 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

San Jose Sharks' Douglas Murray(notes) (3), from Sweden, celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with Joe Thornton(notes) (19) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward(notes) (30) looks on at left.

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 30: Jamie McGinn(notes) #64 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by Joe Thornton(notes) #19 after McGinn scored a goal in the third period of their game against the Colorado Avalanche at the HP Pavilion on October 30, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 30: Joe Thornton(notes) #19 and goalie Evgeni Nabokov(notes) #20 of the San Jose Sharks defend against Chris Durno(notes) #45 of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of their game at the HP Pavilion on October 30, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson(notes) (41) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton(notes) (19) in the first period of their NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Oct. 30, 2009.