The San Jose Sharks are used to getting the best out of their opponents.
Being the top team in the National Hockey League, it's only natural other clubs would try to rise to the occasion against them.
But it's been especially true down the stretch, as teams battle for playoff spots and are desperate for wins, very much like the Edmonton Oilers were heading into last night's game.
"We've been going into this situation for about two months now," said Sharks veteran Jeremy Roenick. "We've been going against teams that have been gunning for us. We've been the top team in the league for 90% of the season so teams are going to throw their best at us night in and night out.
"Now coming to playoff time, teams are really pushing hard. It's not going to be easier than it has for the last two months."
THREE UP
The Sharks are in a race of their own, trying to clinch top spot and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
They went into last night's game three points up on the Boston Bruins and four up on the Detroit Red Wings. Despite making it look otherwise, it has not be easy for the Sharks.
"These teams that we're playing are fighting for their lives," said Roenick. "You look at the Oilers, they're no stranger to working at the end of the season. Even when they went to the cup final, they rattled off a number of wins just to get to that eighth spot. They know what it's all about and they know they can still do it, so they're going to scratch and claw and we have to be ready for that."
Playing teams desperately trying to get into the playoffs has helped the Sharks keep sharp. More impressively, they've been able to do with nearly half their roster on the disabled list.
Yesterday defenceman Rob Blake and centre Marcel Goc returned to the lineup, but Ryane Clowe, Kent Huskins, Claude Lemieux, Torrey Mitchell, Mike Grier, Patrick Marleau and Tomas Plihal are still not available.
"It's good for the guys that are up here up from the minors to have that playoff mentality at this time of year," Roenick said.
"I think it's been good for our whole club. Even the guys that are hurt, they're getting some rest and they're getting ready for the playoffs, so it's been a good situation for us."
The knock on the Sharks in the past couple of seasons is that they fall apart when they face adversity in the post-season, not having faced any in the regular season.
This year they have gone through their share and are still going through it as the year winds down.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
"We've had some adversity throughout the season - injuries, other components like travel - and in the end we became a better team," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan.
"This string of adversity that we're going through with injuries, I think will help us in the long run."
If anything it's shown the Sharks do have some versatility and are able to count on players taking on increased roles.
"What's happening is that we're giving Todd a lot of options," Roenick said.
"When you have options and are able to play on different lines, you are able to put together three solid lines.
"That gives Todd a lot more variety in terms of what he can put together and that's what you need going into the playoffs."
DEREK.VANDIEST@SUNMEDIA.CA
