[Open Thread] Sharks Gameday: A Budding Rivalry?
by Mr. Plank on Nov 25, 2008 11:12 PM PST
in Gamedays
122 comments
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@7:30 PST |
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| 10-4-5, 25 points | 17-3-1, 35 points | |
| 2nd in Central | 1st in Pacific |
Television |
CSN Bay Area |
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Second City Hockey |
Consider for a moment the new NHL- a league fixated on the notion that higher-scoring games lead to more revenue at the box office, where speed through the neutral zone is necessary for success, a place where young playmakers are thrown into the limelight and expected to deliver at the highest level.
With all of these in mind, take a look at the Chicago Blackhawks. The youngest team in the NHL this year (25.65 average age), the Hawks are loaded with burgeoning superstars. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are just a few of the notables skating in Chicago this season- an impressive short list that speaks volumes about the benefit of being inept since the late nineties.
A quick glance at the current Sharks roster yields the same results, albeit with a slight amount of tinkering. Assuming that Jeremy Roenick and Rob Blake are not in the long term plans of San Jose (a relatively safe assumption considering their age and respective one-year contracts), we see some striking similarities in both teams makeup.
[Editor's Note]: Remember your SPG Picks for a chance to win a Sharks Banner courtesy of Carrol's Cove.
Rounding out to a youthful 26.1 years of age, the current Sharks roster is (as it has been in the previous three seasons) built for the long haul. Devin Setoguchi, Joe Pavelski, Christian Ehrhoff, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are players who, although they might not get as much media attention as Kane or Toews, deserve serious consideration as the new faces of the NHL marketing machine. You don't inspire an All-Star voting campaign based solely off a great nickname, and you don't win a championship at every competitive level you've played just by being a nice guy to have around.
For the sake of comparison, a look at the statistics compiled during this season for all the previously mentioned players:
| Player | G | A | +/- | TOI/G | GF/60 | GA/60 |
| Patrick Kane | 11 | 14 | +4 | 19:53 | 3.96 | 2.86 |
| Jonathan Toews | 2 | 12 | +3 | 20:26 | 3.07 | 2.60 |
| Duncan Keith | 2 | 7 | +10 | 27:18 | 3.42 | 1.95 |
| Brent Seabrook | 3 | 3 | +7 | 24:18 | 3.08 | 1.81 |
| Total/Averages | 18 | 36 | +24 | 23:38 | 3.38 | 2.31 |
| Player | G | A | +/- | TOI/G | GF/60 | GA/60 |
| Devin Setoguchi | 12 | 12 | +8 | 16:02 | 4.49 | 2.99 |
| Joe Pavelski | 7 | 9 | +1 | 19:04 | 2.06 | 2.29 |
| Christian Ehrhoff | 2 | 14 | +5 | 20:31 | 2.32 | 1.93 |
| Marc-Edouard Vlasic | 2 | 10 | +8 | 24:29 | 3.41 | 2.05 |
| Total/Averages | 23 | 45 | +22 | 20:03 | 3.07 | 2.32 |
- The goals and assists column may seem to be favoring San Jose's young guns by a noticeable margin, but keep in mind that the Sharks as a whole have potted 80 goals compared to 71 from the Blackhawks (while playing two more games).
- All the skaters log minutes good enough to be in the top seven on their team. The only exception to this is Setoguchi, who's apparently making the most out of his limited ice time. Keith and Vlasic both lead their respective squads in this category.
- GF/60 (goals for while on ice at even strength over sixty minutes) yields a number that seems to give the edge to Kane & Co. The only rebuttal I would offer is that Setoguchi is the lone Shark to get consistent ice time with heavy point-producers (Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle), while all four Hawks players skate on the top line with one another. On the flip side, the case can be made that the Hawks are put up against tougher defensive lines.
- GA/60 is about as close as you can get.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
The Blackhawks haven't been a serious contender for quite some time, and yet the potential for a rivalry is brewing. The 6-5 win in Chicago was a good indicator that both teams can skate, both can score in droves, and both are able to recover from being down a couple goals. Talented youth in both cities should keep those ideals intact for the future. Brian Campbell's contract will fuel the media. Doug Wilson's ties to Chicago provide a nice backstory.
All we need now is a playoff series.
Prediction: Sharks win 4-2. Goals by Pavelski, Boyle, and Big Joe (x2). Brian Campbell gets booed, and while it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, it sure makes you smile.
Go Sharks.
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gamethread before gameday?
anyway
VOTE FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME
Patrick Marleau is 1,254 votes away from ribeiro
Whoops!
I mucked up and accidentally hit publish. Hopefully the internets don’t explode.
And for any of those with unlimited texting text “Marleau” or “Setoguchi” or whomever to 81812. It’s just the same as voting online at http://fanballoting.nhl.com.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
THE GAME IS NARROWING DOWN
a few days ago Marleau was behind by 10,000 votes. NOW HE’S 862 VOTES AWAY FROM THE ALL-STAR GAME!!!!!!
The price of these tickets on Stubhub and such...
…is ridiculous. The normally $20 seats are going for $80. For Ron Wilson’s return next week, the tickets are just $40 something. Possible reasons = 1. Nabby’s back. 2. Soupy’s back. 3. The Sharks are on a roll, and out come the bandwagoners (sorry to sound elitist). 4. No one has work the next day. 5. It’s the family pack night – 4 packs of tickets get you free hot dogs, soda, and chips.
I’m waiting to see if I can get tickets – this might be the first home game in November that I won’t attend. Singles are still available, but I wanted to take my gramps to the game since he’s in town.
No, I checked the prices for soon-to-be tickets recently and they were ABSURD. It might just be the way it is now.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
just wondering...
I wouldn't
With Nabby In Net Tonight
I thought it’d be good to throw this out there.
Is Nabby as bad as the Contarian Goaltender says he is? Any thoughts?
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I’d have to agree with him. Nabby is a fine goalie with an ability to have some great stretches of play. He’s nothing special though, and I wouldn’t put him in the elite class. He’s more of a product of being on a great team.
Yes and no...
I think that although Nabby has been blessed to play on the Sharks, he’s a well above average goalie.
I have a feeling that this guy would find fault in any goalie on any good team.
Fear The Fin: Gloating during the season, crying during the playoffs.
I thought about this a good amount last season. It seemed like everytime I looked at the box score after a game the Sharks won by a goal or two, Nabby didn’t face nearly as many goals. That made me look at his number a lot closer and made me appriciate the rest of the team a whole lot more. They do a great job of keeping pressure on the other goalie and keeping opposing team’s scoring chances low.
After reading a few of this guy’s post, I like the way he is taking a reasoned statisticle approach towards player evaluation. I might not agree with everything he says, but I still like what he’s doing. It has also created some interesting conversations in the comments section.
And by interesting conversation I mean poorly written attacks upon the writter while using flawed arguments that meet a well thought out counter point.
I’d have to agree with everyone who’s chimed in thus far- Nabby isn’t as good as Luongo or Lundqvist, but does it even matter?
1) Is Nabby an above average goaltender? Yes.
2) Is Nabby good enough to steal a fair amount of games this year? Yes.
3) Is Nabby good enough to take the Sharks to a Stanley Cup appearance? Yes.
In a team sport, that’s all that really matters to me.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
PLUS ONE
I THINK THAT’S HOW THE COOL KIDS DO IT.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
I just don't like it...
when bloggers or journalists say that someone doesn’t “deserve” something. Nabby had a great season last year and played all but 5 games. He was definitely worthy of his Vezina votes. Just seems very snarky to me.
Fear The Fin: Gloating during the season, crying during the playoffs.
You’re probably just missing the required codecs. Try installing this and see if it works.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
I dunno
if I agree. I think Nabby has shown, at times, that he is a brilliant goaltender (THE save against Dallas last year (I forgot who made the shot)). I do think that at times he looks pedestrian at best and benefits from his linemates, but I think he is better than that.
I think, just my opinion, that this year will show us how good Nabby really is.
Wait a minute...
I’m at my folks’ house, and that report came from my mother, who hears what she wants to hear. Take it with a grain of salt.
I would say youre right
Evgeni Nabokov is back in goal tonight after missing seven games with a lower body injury…..
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
By the way
Mr. K at an open thread? Pleasant surprise :)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I'll be stopping in here and there...
But I’m over at my parent’s house for quasi-Thanksgiving…
Go Sharks!
Fear The Fin: Gloating during the season, crying during the playoffs.
Great first shift
Gotta love when they come out strong at home
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
I’m in the “turn the puck over immediately” group. I think the Sharks for the most part are too. They shoot on goal pretty soon after taking another penalty when on the PP.
Right there with ya. Seems sort of silly to have less time on the power play by holding the puck.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Well, it’s technically more power play time since the new PP starts later, but it’s less 5v3 time, which is think is more valuable than 30 extra seconds or so of 4v5.
Ah, that’s what I was trying to say- sucks being an ineloquent sonuvagun sometimes…..
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
SPG standings for the first period (becuase I know you all are itching to know)
S: Setoguchi P: None G: Blake
DaveValentin: 1
GeneralDisarray: 1
idunno723: 1
MicahC-G: 1
Netsky: 1
sharkiesgirl: 1
SwisherThresher: 2
thatllcheechyou: 1
Milan Michalek
Has really impressed me this year with his willingness to block shots.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Wow
The Bulin Wall is up in full force tonight. What a goaltender.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Hahaha
Whats your record at home (while being present at open game threads)?
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
True
After all, they’ve only dropped one at home all year :)
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Hawks really pouring it on
like my uncle pouring gravy on his mashed potatoes- too much for my liking.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
On that note, the Hawks are really utilizing attacking from behind the net, probably testing Nabby’s mobility.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
VOTE FOR MARLEAU
HES ONLY (approximately) 200 VOTES BEHIND FROM BEING IN THE GAME (plus he’ll knock out mike ribeiro)
Uh oh
Possible suspension coming to Mike Grier for this one.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Yeah- Colin Campbell has been fairly inconsistent this year, but we’ll see what happens. I’d say at most it would be three games.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
WELCOME TO THE FIVE MINUTES OF HELL!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Another overpaid pick up by Chicago this season. Let’s unload on this guy.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
Shorthanded To Start the third
Whatever, we can still rock n’ roll like Rick Allen.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
SPG after period 2
S: Setoguchi P: Grier G: None
DaveValentin: 1
GeneralDisarray: 1
idunno723: 1
MicahC-G: 1
Netsky: 1
sharkiesgirl: 1
SwisherThresher: 2
thatllcheechyou: 1
GoldenStateGuerrero: 1
marcello: 1
sjsharkdude: 1
TheRobberBaron: 1
Thanks for doing this senor k- although it hurts to not see my name on the board each time you put it up
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
NP
And at some point in the future I should have a script to automatically scrape them from the play-by-play.
Whoah- you know how to do that stuff?
I’ve been updating at the end of every period, so if you need any help with users picks and stuff just email me.
Can’t help ya with the script though.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
darn that should have been a reply to “whoosh” lol
by ang6666 on Nov 26, 2008 9:37 PM PST up reply actions
Too bad Vlasic wasn't the one to score though...
Haha. I like the suprise pick. idunno723 was the only one to get a point for the Marleau goal…
nice save senor k.
nabby had a couple good ones while i was typing this too.
Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.
SPG Final Results
Period 1
S: Setoguchi P: None G: Blake
Period 2
S: Setoguchi P: Grier G: None
Period 3
S: Setoguchi P: None G: Marleau
Overtime
S: Thornton P: None G: Thornton
Happy Thanksgiving all
and see you on Friday. :)
by ang6666 on Nov 26, 2008 10:08 PM PST reply actions
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