from Curtis Pashelka and David Pollak of the Mercury News,

The Sharks (30-23-8), with just two wins in their last eight games, stand fifth in the Pacific Division and 10th in the Western Conference with 68 points, two spots out of the playoffs. Monday, the website sportsclubstats.com, which projects a team's finish based on schedule and past performance, gave San Jose only a 33 percent chance of reaching the postseason. The website calculated that the Sharks will need to reach 94 points -- over a point per game the rest of the way -- to increase their chances beyond 50 percent.

The last time the Sharks missed the playoffs was in 2002-03, the season that cost Darryl Sutter his job as coach.

McLellan, who has one more season remaining on his contract, knows the deal.

"When it comes to wins and losses, our record isn't where it needs to be, and I understand how the business works," he said. "People will make decisions as we go forward."

The Sharks, who had Monday off and return to practice Tuesday, play seven of their next eight games at SAP Center, starting Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings. That stretch will go a long way to determine if the Sharks make the postseason, because 10 of the final 13 games are on the road.

For now, McLellan is keeping it simple.

"We show up tomorrow," he said. "We get prepared for a game Thursday against a really good hockey club, and that's all we can do."

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