If hockey were on the same level of popularity in the United State as the NFL, the San Jose Sharks would be receiving a comparable amount of media coverage as the 2007 New England Patriots. Unfortunately, however, few people outside the world of hockey has taken notice of the Sharks' unbelievable beginning to the 2008-09 NHL season. If a football season is a 17-week physical onslaught, then the hockey season is a seven-month, 82-game grind on the body and soul. The NHL season is an assault on the senses as players and teams must endure a season?s worth of hits, checks, cheap shots, blowouts, and fights. While a mistake in football may lead to a first down, a mistake in hockey can be the difference between a win and a loss. Tom Brady and the Patriots' start and almost finish was impressive, but the Sharks are off to a start never before seen in their respective league. As of December 20th, through 32 games, the Sharks are 1st in the Western Conference with 53 points out of a possible 64 points. Not to trivialize what the Patriots pulled off last year in regular season play going 16-0, but the Sharks start is perhaps one of the most impressive beginnings to a season ever. Right out of the gate, the Sharks won 13 of their first 15 games. The Sharks have not lost a game in regulation at home this year and are playing like there is not a home loss on the schedule in sight. Led by former MVP Joe Thornton, All-Star Patrick Marleau, the revitalized defensemen Dan Boyle and sophomore phenom Devin Setoguchi, the Sharks are an impressive 12-3 in games decided by only 1 goal. To make their stellar record even more astonishing is that they have been without their most important player on the ice, goaltender Evengi Nabokov for 10 games, and former 90 point scorer Jonathan Chechoo for 12 games. Great teams in hockey typically go through a season with one streak at a time. Last year?s Stanley Cup Champion the Detroit Red Wings rattled off nine straight wins at one point, only to lose their next three games. What is unique about the Sharks is that they have not gone two consecutive games without at least one point. The Sharks success can be attributed to their overpowering offense. The Sharks? forecheck is unparalleled in terms of talent and size. The Sharks are physically overwhelming teams with their top line of Thornton, Marleau, and Setoguchi, probably the best line in hockey right now. The Western Conference is deep from one through 15. Only six points separate the 8th slot and the 15th place team from the playoffs. The Sharks schedule is not going to let up and their chances of keeping this pace and breaking the 1976 Montreal Canadiens team record 132 points in a season is slim. However, considering the brutal and tiresome west coast traveling schedule, the Sharks? beginning to the season is absolutely remarkable. The New England Patriots were quite possibly the greatest team in the history of their sport right up until they lost the Super Bowl to the NY Giants. Nobody talks about that perfect season now because they did not win when it mattered most. The San Jose Sharks have to avoid a similar misstep; otherwise, the Sharks? regular season will just be an afterthought in hockey fans' minds. If the Sharks keep playing the way they are and ultimately win the war of attrition that is Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will have done what the Patriots did not. They will be remembered.