[Open Thread] Sharks Gameday: Where Is The Power Play?
by Mr. Plank on Nov 13, 2008 1:32 AM PST
in Gamedays
191 comments
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@7:30 PST |
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| 9-7-1, 17 points | 13-3-1, 27 points | |
| 2nd in Northwest Division | 1st in Pacific Division |
Television |
CSN Bay Area |
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When Todd McLellan came over from Detroit, the consensus was that he would revamp the ever-frustrating power play.
Thus far it's been wishful thinking.
The Sharks come into tonight's game 19th in the league with the man advantage, posting a paltry 16.1% success rate. Not exactly the 20.7% Detroit put up last year with Sweeney Todd at the helm; nor is it even at Ron-Wilson era levels. Granted we're dealing with a much smaller sample size, but 17 games is enough elapsed time to rile up some level of concern.
Hold your breath, the sky isn't falling. Not yet at least.
Year |
Coach |
Home PP |
Away PP |
Total PP |
|
08-09 |
Todd McLellan |
7/54 13.0% |
7/33 21.2% |
14/87 16.1% |
| 07-08 | Ron Wilson |
39/206 18.9% |
31/168 18.4% |
70/374 18.7% |
| 06-07 | Ron Wilson |
53/223 23.8% |
39/187 20.9% |
92/410 22.4% |
| 05-06 | Ron Wilson |
48/257 18.7% |
43/243 17.7% |
91/500 18.2% |
| 03-04 | Ron Wilson |
29/172 16.8% |
27/165 16.3% |
56/337 16.6% |
The home percentage is dreadful; but what jumps out at me is the rate at which the power play is firing away from HP Pavilion. If you care to think back to last year, the Sharks were the best road team in the NHL (in terms of overall record). Carry over or coincidence? I'll leave that one to you.
As for this season, the experiment of having Big Joe camped out in front of the net seems to have either been forgotten or scrapped for a more favorable model. Personally I'm not too beat up over the whole thing- the more time he spends with the puck looking for the open man, the better. Thornton has also ditched the idea that camping on the sideboards firing errant centering pass after errant centering pass is an effective strategy. Baby steps have never looked so good on such a big guy.
I mentioned this in the Nashville game wrap up, so excuse me for being repetitive and quoting myself. Nonetheless I feel it is a valid point.
Nashville was not loathe to pressure the point shooters (which is probably going to be opposing teams M.O. from here on out). I’m sure Boyle will help shore things up a bit against Calgary, but the Sharks were/are having trouble making a cross ice pass to the weak side forward. It’s frustrating to see what we saw last year on the man advantage. All our passes are vertically inclined.
If teams aren’t going to respect the lower end of the zone, by all means, make them pay for it. Pressure down low will open up the cannons from the point.
So how does this apply to tonight's game? In last year's playoffs, the Sharks power play was one of the many reasons we went the full seven with Calgary, bowed out at the hands of the Dallas Stars, and came up with the slogan "The Second Round Is Overrated". Both teams failed to respect our power play, and therefore were able to take liberties with our skilled players (see Morrow-Michalek; Sarich-Marleau). If San Jose is going to stay healthy this season, they need to make teams pay on the powerplay.
It's pretty apparent we know how to shoot the rubber- let's start putting some of those pucks in the back of the net.
Prediction: Sharks win 3-2. Goals by Boyle, Blake, and The Gooch. All goals come on the powerplay; rest assured Todd McLellan reads this blog. Every. Single. Day.
Go Sharks.
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PP!!!
just like my earlier fanpost called “PP!!!”, the power play will take off. they just need to capitalize on their chances. they’ve had plenty, they just can’t finish, yet.
Although game seven turned out okay- JR’s due for a goal too :)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
"The Second Round Is Overrated"
Funny how you guys find a different reason each year to come up with the same slogan. :)
http://battleofcalifornia.blogspot.com/
There’s nothing fun about broken dreams Sleek. Especially when you have an albums worth of ramblings that’s starting to look like a burgeoning country career.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Does Anyone Else Feel
Like there is a little more emotional investment in this one?
Who else do you get jacked up to play? I’d have to go with Dallas, Detroit, Anaheim, and Edmonton.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I do think the inclusion of physical play has improved with Staubitz in the line up. Shelley has also looked a lot better this year, faster almost.
Although Gooch and Thornton have taken their fair share of lumps in the game already.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Jinx artist! Hold your tongue (or would it be fingers?)!!!!!!
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
No worries,
I immediately knocked on my table. But yeah, I’ll take full responsibility for Calgary’s kill.
Patty’s getting close to last year’s total already eh?
That’s either discouraging or uplifting as hell. Can’t figure out which.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I think it helps
That there are no trade rumors swirling around. For a team captain, that had to be rough.
Dave mentioned this above- Joe has looked really good tonight.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Keenan will leave him in for the first, but he’s not coming out for the second. Guaranteed.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I have been a little disappointed w/ Joe this year, but I’m thinking his preseason injury is probably still nagging. Remember when you said that McLellan reads this blog daily? Maybe he’s got a laptop on the bench like Wilson used to. “Hey Joe, Mr. Plank thinks you’re having a nice night. Lets give him a little bonus, eh? Maybe on the power play just for kicks.”
If Todd McLellan listened to me we’d be 3-13-1 haha.
I agree with you on Joe- he hasn’t looked as sharp in year’s past. A lot of no look passes behind the net as well; can’t give up possession that easy.
I’d wager you’re correct in assuming his injury is still bugging him.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
St. Louis Blues & Diary Queen have it set at 5 goals. Same with Nashville. Columbus has it set at 3. We’d get pizza all the time if that was the case!
is this really happening?
3 power play goals? anyway im streaming on my computer so i could only talk during intermission
That's nice
about time we start making them pay (anyone) for the penalties. Love to see that power play working
Just a Shout Out To SB Nation here
How sweet is that live scoreboard they set up today? Some good stuff.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Mr.Plank
when is fear the fean going to have the favicon built in the the address. athleticsnation and goldenstateofmind have had it a long time
the first period was great
3 PP Goals!
4 goals total
4 goals scored by four different people
but the only problem for me is, there hasnt been a FIGHT (i like fights if you cant tell)
the flames are looking to pick a fight so i hope shelley or staubitz can beat up a flame (does that sound right, a flame)?
Grier doubtful to return
Just repeating what everyone else heard.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I actually didnt, but its a “lower body injury”. They will probably show it at intermission.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I doubt it- Grier is a machine. With a 5 goal lead there’s no need to try and play through anything.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I've Never Liked
The idea of interviewing players when they’re playing a game.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Especially when it’s such softball-esue questions. “What made you guys come out so good tonight there Christian? Did you work hard at practice???”
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Guys
amazing game right now. I’ll admit it, i didn’t think we were gona come back from a loss this way
Wack To Mack With The General and The Back. (J-Mac and D-Mac)
Ye of Little Faith!
(I was in your same boat, who am I to talk)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I think that’s reserved for Kipper ;)
Poor guy is either ON or wayyyy off whenever he comes to The Tank.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
He put up a pretty poor performance last year as well- lemme get the stats.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Kipper's Stats (before tonight)
08-09: 3.31 GAA, .889 SV %
07-08: 2.69 GAA, .906 SV %
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
They were throwing a lot of the lower lines out there though. As idunno723 mentioned, Shelley got some power play time. Smart move by McLellan to discourage the idea of taking a run at our stars.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
And hey, us Sharks fans aren’t overly impressed with anything till we get past the second round right?
:)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Have to agree
with the Shelly on PP…nice to see him get the time…also noticed early that he was producing some good hustle, getting some chances. Not that he doesn’t hustle anyway, just seemed to notice a bit more. We didn’t seem to be hitting as hard in the 2nd
Sounds like a game plan- Todd, are you reading this?
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Thanks to all for coming out tonight
Dave is on the East Coast staying up past his bedtime- talk about dedication.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Hey, I'm an old guy
6 pm is past my bed time. I have to take a nap after dinner for these west coast games
by Dave Valentine on Nov 13, 2008 9:17 PM PST up reply actions
Rob Blake is probably in the same situation as you :)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Yeah....maybe a 4
for that tie….Drew’s sucks. They both had pretty good ones the other night. I’m waiting for my purple Hockey Fights Cancer tie at Xmas
by Dave Valentine on Nov 13, 2008 9:20 PM PST up reply actions
Related video
From Curb Your Enthusiasm; great clip.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Hey, I used to shave my head
and I wouldn’t have ever worn that tie
by Dave Valentine on Nov 13, 2008 9:23 PM PST up reply actions
Drew Remenda: (in regards to Torrey Mitchell coming back) “He’s sick- I mean ph sick”
Nice try. You = Fail.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
hahahahah
thats the only downside of actually being at the game, not hearing what shit comes out of drews mouth. but i sure did pick a good game to go to
by CoreyMulhair on Nov 14, 2008 3:50 PM PST up reply actions
Power Play Post
Best thing I’ve done in awhile :)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
If the Sharks score 8
Does everyone with a ticket get two pizzas? Just sayin’.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Holy Diverrrrrrrrr
Does Dustin Boyd warm up to Dio before every game?
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Anyone know ...
without me having to look it up … what is the most goals a team has made in a game before … and what is the most the Sharks have done previously?
by ang6666 on Nov 13, 2008 9:39 PM PST reply actions
From about.com
Question: What’s the highest scoring game in NHL history?
Answer: The most goals scored by one team in an NHL game was 16. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Quebec Bulldogs 16-3 on March 3, 1920.
16 ... wow!
And the highest for the Sharks? (saves me looking it up)
:)
by ang6666 on Nov 13, 2008 9:44 PM PST up reply actions
and all of those in between.
Ehhhh, time to stop drinking……
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Oh you sexy hermaphrodite ladies..
with your sexy lady bits, and your sexy man bits too. Even you must be in to you-oo-oooo
If you don’t know what I’m talking about… click
I'm always in such a great mood
when the Sharks win!
especially against the Flames, Stars & most definitely the Ducks.
GO SHARKS!
by ang6666 on Nov 13, 2008 9:56 PM PST up reply actions
Thankfully the Sharks are smart enough not to
give in to the mixing it up by the Flames and Stars this year.
(Dashboard Confessional playing in the background)
Sounds good Mr. Valentine. See you Sunday night.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Thanks for coming out tonight everyone
Always a good time.
We will be instituting some prediction games starting with Sunday night’s game. Look for the announcement either tomorrow night or early Saturday.
GO SHARKS.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
You too
I’ll be here….no nap on those road games
by Dave Valentine on Nov 13, 2008 10:04 PM PST reply actions
eastridge sharks shoes
saw a dude at the game last night with sharks logo’d out nikes. he said he got them at eastridge mall and i thought briefly about stealing them off his feet. then was deturred by reality.
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