Programming note: Hurricanes-Sharks coverage starts tonight at 7pm with Sharks Pregame Live on CSN California.
SAN JOSE – Just how important has defenseman Paul Martin been to his teams over the years?
Since the start of the 2003-04 season, no NHL blueliner with a minimum of 700 games played has a better winning percentage than Martin’s .649 (418-209-74). That includes his first four games in a Sharks sweater, all wins for San Jose. Since he’s been out, the Sharks have dropped three straight and have been outscored 14-4.
Martin has recovered from a lower body injury, though, and will take his place alongside Brent Burns on Saturday against Carolina as San Jose tries to end its losing streak against one of the weaker teams in the NHL.