Sharks vs. Stars: Joe Thornton fights Jamie Benn

Joe Thornton, like all good captains, is putting his team on his back to try and break the Sharks' horrid February slump. So far, it's working.

For the second time in the last couple of weeks, Joe Thornton dropped the gloves with one of the best players in the NHL. Last time it was Jonathan Toews, and on Saturday it was Jamie Benn.

You have to love the fights where the two combatants circle around and prep themselves like it's some sort of prize fight. Benn flipping his hair back was particularly amusing.

This might just be a case of a captain trying to spark his team, and if it is, it certainly worked. The Sharks have looked more energized and potent offensively since the fight. Thornton helped orchestrate a power play goal for San Jose, motioning for Patrick Marleau to position himself in front of the net on a face-off before winning the draw and setting up a point-blank goal for Marleau.

More in the NHL:

• Are these the Winter Classic jerseys?

• The end of an era in Buffalo

• How reliable is NHL.com's shot tracker?

• Solving the Sharks' goal-scoring woes