SAN JOSE -- Devin Setoguchi has shaved his head in the name of hockey before.
As an 18-year-old playing for the WHL Saskatoon Blades, the winger was in need of change during a scoring slump.
Taking the buzzer to his scalp did the trick back then, and he potted a pair of goals in his very next game.
Fast-forward to the NHL and a nine-game goal drought.
Preparing to face the Edmonton Oilers Saturday, the 23-year-old Setoguchi got the clippers out. Same result -- a two-goal effort.
"The funny part about it was it was against (Oilers goalie) Devan Dubnyk, who was the same goalie I did it in junior against," Setoguchi said.
"It was pretty funny after I figured that one out."
Setoguchi kept his scoring touch going last night. He potted a third-period beauty in the Sharks' 9-1 win over Calgary.
Dubnyk was tending twine for the Kamloops Blazers back in 2005-06 when Setoguchi's new look paid off the first time. Which begs the question: Is the shave or the goalie Setoguchi's lucky charm?
"I don't know," grinned the Taber product. "It could be Dubie ... It wasn't something where I was really superstitious about it. I maybe just needed something to take my mind off things and go out and play."
In the midst of his third NHL season, Setoguchi still struggles to keep his head clear of clutter when things aren't going his way.
It's part of the learning process all young players go through when being counted on for offensive production.
"You can get all the advice in the world from everybody -- from coaches, your teammates, your agent, even your dad -- and really it's not up to them, it's up to you and how you handle it," he said.
Practice makes perfect
The only person accepting the option of not skating in a voluntary morning practice in San Jose is often the head coach. That's how much Sharks players want to be out on the ice together.
All season, the stars seem to show up even when it's not required. Take Monday's morning skate for example.
Joe Thornton was third out on the ice, and the Sharks' active ironman was quickly joined by linemates Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley.
In fact, all 12 forwards and six defenders were out there at least 15 minutes before Marleau headed for the dressing room after a few drills.
"It's fun going out on the ice with the group of guys we've got," Marleau said.
"You usually see a lot of guys out there," said Thornton.
"We like to warm up together. The guys on this team like to go out and play."
STEVE.MACFARLANE@SUNMEDIA.CA
THREE STARS
AS CHOSEN BY STEVE MACFARLANE
JOE PAVELSKI
A goal and an assist in the first seven minutes of action,
DEVIN SETOGUCHI
Earned his 100th point with an early assist and added a third-period goal.
SCOTT NICHOL
Also joined the 100-point club, and his goal and two assists were well earned.
