Updated

A near-perfect homestand catapulted the San Jose Sharks from a fierce fight just to make it into the NHL playoffs to a battle for home-ice advantage in the opening round.

If the Sharks are going to have any hope of winning that race and finishing in the top four in the Western Conference, they are going to need to take the momentum they built during their recent seven-game winning streak and bring it out on the road, where they have had problems all season.

San Jose left Monday for a four-game trip that begins Tuesday night in Columbus. The Sharks will play six of their final 10 games on the road, where they are just 6-10-2 this season.