"That's a hot pickle!" Vlasic, Sharks beat Red Wings 5-2

by mymclife on Nov 17, 2011 11:32 PM PST in Sharks Game Recaps

"He’s an offensive defenseman now."

Marc-Edouard Vlasic has long been touted by us at Fear the Fin for his near-perfect positioning and great defensive game. However, as Joe Thornton commented during a post-game interview, Vlasic’s offensive abilities were on display tonight. The normally defensive defenseman scored a goal and added three assists in a four-point night, a career high and a first for a Shark defenseman since Rob Blake.

Interestingly enough, it was eight years and day ago that the Sharks traded Miika Kiprusoff for a second round pick – the second round pick that was used to draft Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

The first period started just as the game against Phoenix six days prior left off – the Sharks couldn’t even get the puck past the red line, much less set up a cycle in the offensive zone. The Red Wings dominated the period, out-shooting the Sharks 17-6 and drawing two penalties. However, the Sharks exited the period tied with Detroit, 1-1.

Detroit’s first goal came on the power play, breaking the Sharks’ streak of eight straight penalties killed and the Wings’ streak of 0-for-16 on the power play. As Tomas Holmstrom screened Niemi, Niklas Kronwall’s shot bounced off of Dan Boyle and behind Niemi. As with most goals that deflect off of players, there was little Niemi could do about it.

However, with 11.1 seconds left in the first period, with Jason Demers off for his second penalty of the period, Vlasic dumped the puck in, which landed behind the goal line and outside of the trapezoid. Joe Thornton retrieved the puck while Kronwall peeled off, and centered it to a waiting Joe Pavelski in the slot, who did what he usually does and buried it behind Jimmy Howard.

The second period began with the Sharks killing of the remainder of Demers’s penalty. While the first eight minutes of the period featured back-and-forth play by both teams, after that the Sharks took over the game. It began with a great chance on a play by Jamie McGinn, Douglas Murray, and Torrey Mitchell; Jamie McGinn pulled a spin-o-rama deep in the Detroit zone, passed it up to Murray in the high slot, who shot it on Howard, generating a rebound that Mitchell almost put away.

Later, an odd-man rush was broken up by Joe Thornton, who used his stick to disrupt a shot by Henrik Zetterberg. Vlasic picked up the puck and dished off a breakout pass to Logan Couture. Couture, Vlasic, and Thornton broke out on a 3-on-1 rush. Couture passed the puck across the ice to Thornton, who wrested it past Howard with 10:05 left in the second for San Jose’s first lead of the game.

While Detroit came back with some pressure after Thornton’s goal, the Sharks were able to pad their lead even more. Brad Winchester emulated Holmstrom, planting himself in front of Jimmy Howard, while Vlasic took the puck behind the net and scored on a wrap-around to make it 3-1. The shots were still 25-14 in favor of Detroit, but the momentum had completely shifted.

Two minutes left in the second period. At home. With the chance to win free Jack-in-the-Box tacos. That’s right – it’s Torrey Mitchell time. With 1:42 left in the second period, Mitchell with a great breakout pass to McGinn, who fires it on Howard, who in turn barely redirects it past the net with his pad. Vlasic picks it up behind the net and centers it to a waiting Torrey Mitchell, who answers the crowd’s desire for free tacos and roofs it. Mitchell has scored two goals thus far this season, both goals giving Sharks fans free tacos. He is also the only Shark to score during the taco minutes.

With Ty Conklin in for Jimmy Howard, the third period saw the Sharks and the Wings trade goals. The fourth line – who had been playing well all night – chipped in the fifth and final goal for the Sharks. Andrew Murray chipped the puck past the Detroit defense, which Brad Winchester picked up and shot past Conklin. It marked the goal as a Shark for Winchester, as well as Andrew Murray’s first point as a Shark.

Detroit’s second goal came on the power play, leaving the Sharks 1-for-3 on the kill, which is hardly what they wanted after focusing on the penalty kill during practice for the past few weeks. What’s worse is that both Jason Demers and Colin White – two defensemen who had been struggling – were at least partially responsible for the goal, failing to cover Dan Cleary as he was standing in front of Niemi.

Both Demers and White had poor games tonight, with Demers having the worst of the two. He took two of the three Sharks penalties, and was responsible for the Detroit goal scored on the one penalty he didn’t take. While it could partially be explained by his lack of playing time recently, he still needs to play better, especially with Justin Braun playing so well.

Meanwhile, the fourth line was probably the best line all night. Even during the doldrums of the first period, they pushed the play towards the offensive zone, creating some of the Sharks’ best chances. They had jump all game, and played as well as they did on Opening Night. It was This was reflected in their ice time, with the line getting 10 minutes of ice time, twice as much as they usually do.

Assorted notes:

Joe Thornton, with two points on the night, continued his dominance against the Red Wings, much to the delight of Sharks fans everywhere.
Antti Niemi also continued to improve, with the only two goals against coming on the power play, and neither goal was one he should have been expected to save.
Despite being held off the score sheet, Justin Abdelkader was everywhere tonight.
After a while, the Red Wings were using the HP Pavilion boards like they would the Joe Louis Arena boards. Interesting, to say the least.

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Always good to beat the Wings

especially coming off a bad loss and a long break. Yay!

by WhatsAMataHari on Nov 17, 2011 11:43 PM PST reply actions

#stayhotpickles

by Kojo on Nov 17, 2011 11:50 PM PST reply actions

Now let's beat Lehtonen and the Stars so bad that they commit hari Kari.

The Pacific will be ours.

by Briceratops on Nov 18, 2011 12:11 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

IF THE MOON WAS MADE OUT OF RIBS

Will Ferrell as Harry Caray! - will-ferrell photo

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Nov 18, 2011 12:34 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

Pickles!

Can’t forget about Nemo with his what 40 saves? The Sharks were getting overwhelmed quite a few times in this game but it was still a fun one to watch.

WAR Chris Lytle!

by AwkwardBoner on Nov 18, 2011 12:29 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Yeah. It was 40 saves on 42 shots.

This was a weird game in which the Sharks were getting crazy outshot yet every chance the Sharks got seemed to go in. Normally it seems to be the other way around. The Sharks make the opposing goalie look good by inflating his save % and the other team’s chances go in.

Great to see the Sharks on the right side of this kind of game for once.

by WhatsAMataHari on Nov 18, 2011 12:46 AM PST up reply actions

The ice was tilted against us the whole game...

…yet I wasn’t even worried.

Much better on the defense, and it’s great seeing Mitchell’s hard work at practice pay off. Sorry, GoLG, but I think he’s only getting started.

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by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 1:00 AM PST reply actions

That's the spirit!

of someone who doesn’t watch Torrey Mitchell!

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Nov 18, 2011 5:47 AM PST up reply actions

I was watching him all night. Like a hawk.

Taco Torrey did alright.

PS: Free lunch!

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 7:47 AM PST up reply actions

Torrey Mitchell scoring goals is weird...

I don’t understand what’s going on when I see it happen…

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 18, 2011 8:00 AM PST up reply actions

Vlasic

scoring on a wrap around is even more weird. Did you see the look Mike Babcock gave after the goal from the bench. WTF!??!!

"Not to sound like a complete homer but, that was a bad call." -Drew Remenda
"You tee em up and I'll knock them out." -Randy Hahn

by raphelo on Nov 18, 2011 11:36 AM PST up reply actions

Mcginn showing great hands, puck control, and doing a spinorama…It was a really weird/awesome.

by Khaaz on Nov 18, 2011 6:26 PM PST up reply actions

It's the sound of our team not sucking.

I love that sound.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 12:36 PM PST up reply actions

According to ESPN the Sharks now officially have the worst PK in the league

at 73.2%.

by WhatsAMataHari on Nov 18, 2011 1:04 AM PST reply actions

I believe in the 1-3...

…I think they need more time with it.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 1:14 AM PST up reply actions

True. Generally I don’t believe the PK is as bad as the stats say it is, but it still hurts to see us at the bottom of the league.

by WhatsAMataHari on Nov 18, 2011 1:16 AM PST up reply actions

it looks like the 2nd goal the 1-3 broke apart. not sure if it was planned (i.e. coaching) or a breakdown into old habits.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 7:48 AM PST up reply actions

The second goal was all Demers swimming in the crease and not covering the man or a puck. Give a team enough whacks at it and it’s going to go in.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Nov 18, 2011 8:25 AM PST up reply actions

Mr. Plank: Jump in if I'm off...

….but, as I recall, since we changed the PK strategy, we’re actually 7 for 9, or 0.78. we were 6 for 6 (1.00) before last night. We can, in part, attribute that partially to a breakdown in the defense for second goal. But you also have to credit Detroit: they shoot high, fast, and spot on. There’s a reason that the tank gets loud when they’re in town: watermark team.

Oh, Niemi was unbefuckinglievable in net last night (sorry Z…)

#TacoTorrey. Word.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

I feel for Demers...

but I would like to see a bit more of Vandemeer… and even more of Braun. (twss? — there, beat ya’ll to it).

At this point in the season (it looks like TMC is still wanting to shuffle dmen quite a bit), I’d take White as the depth dman.

by raidershark on Nov 18, 2011 2:16 AM PST reply actions

I don't think

we’ll see Van or Braun until Sunday with I’m hoping Greiss. Tmac seems to be giving C.White all the time he needs to adjust and fit since I’m starting to forget when Vandameer last got the o.k to play.

"Not to sound like a complete homer but, that was a bad call." -Drew Remenda
"You tee em up and I'll knock them out." -Randy Hahn

by raphelo on Nov 18, 2011 11:46 AM PST up reply actions

Sweet 16

Sharks Win! Way too much time in their D-zone, but… Sharks Win!

Game 16 this season: 5-2 Win over Det. (3+ day-off-game)
Game 16 last season: 6-3 Win over LA (1-day-off-game)
at 16 games this season: 10-5-1 / 21 pts, 49 GF – 41 GA
at 16 games last season: 9-5-2 / 20 pts, 48 GF – 40 GA
next 10 games, games 17-26 last season: 4-4-2
going: OTL, OTL, L, W, L, W, L, W, L, W

Next up, a 1-day-off-game at Dal. Sharks are struggling in the 1-day-off-game department, where the majority of their games are 1-day-off-games. A Win over Dal would be a good way to begin to reverse this trend.

The rest of the November Sharkstistics have been updated.

Sharks continue to hold the lead in the West in the Potential Points Standings.

Keep winning, Sharks!

If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
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by Soloact on Nov 18, 2011 3:07 AM PST reply actions

From the sounds of it

the sharks pulled out a nice win last night. I didn’t get to watch for a variety of reasons, but it’s nice to see they were on the good side of this type of game for once

by BConns on Nov 18, 2011 5:32 AM PST reply actions

Oh, and just so no one thinks I was blowing smoke up their balloon knots.

Greiss STILL hasn’t worn the Hayward-ish Shark helmet. No clue why, but here’s proof he actually does own it:

I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.

by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Nov 18, 2011 6:44 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Taco Torrey approves of this picture.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 7:46 AM PST up reply actions

that mask is sharp

But i think his gorilla mask is better. I dare say its the best of any mask this season

by logancouturesteeth on Nov 18, 2011 9:42 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

I kinda like the Yeti mask as well

Albino gorilla, or whatever.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

Strange game...

Niemi was fantastic!!

Aside from the 4th line, the Sharks were not good in the 1st period. Everyone seemed to start playing/skating in the second and controlling play – though I wasn’t impressed with the Marleau line, they seemd a bit off. The 3rd & 4th lines both played well.

Thornton and, of course, Vlasic were awesome!

It would really suck if Detroit moves to the Eastern conference – they really seem to bring out the best in Thornton (and Niemi) and when he’s going like he was last night, he’s fun to watch.

by milanahalek on Nov 18, 2011 7:45 AM PST reply actions

You know...

It was sweet to win another lopsided victory over Detroit. We really do seem to have their number. And the offense, once they woke up, looked pretty good. They’ve been destroying Detroit in transition for years now. Guess its hell getting old. And Niemi looked calm, cool, and collected…he had a magnificent night. First night that wasn’t below league average for him all season, if my math is correct. More of those would be nice. Maybe he should get benched for Greiss more often if that is how he’s going to rebound.

That being said, the PK is still a huge concern. The PP worries me as well, although we only got 1 opportunity last night, so hard to judge just on that. But man, for a team with this level of talent, no idea why our special teams are so bad. Also, no idea why Handzus, who was brought in to PK, isn’t PKing. Seems like a silly waste of resources. Since pulling him off the PK, the Sharks PK has gone from like 5th worst in the league to worst in the league. So, you know, maybe he wasn’t the problem? And maybe we should be using him appropriately?

Finally, Demers was terribad again. No idea why they decided to sit Braun when he’s been so fabulous lately, but it better change back next game. I don’t want to drop a crucial game against Dallas because McL wants to get Demers off the bench. Braun is playing the best, he should be in.

That is all. Ahhhhh, beating Detroit is always so nice!

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
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by ZeroIndulgence on Nov 18, 2011 8:07 AM PST reply actions

First night that wasn’t below league average for him all season, if my math is correct.

Unless the league average SP is above .935, your math is not correct.

Yes, Niemi has had a couple of poor games, but he’s also had quite a few very good games (including his last 3 starts).

by milanahalek on Nov 18, 2011 8:19 AM PST up reply actions

Or – if you’re talking about his total season stats (not game by game)…then never mind :)

by milanahalek on Nov 18, 2011 8:21 AM PST up reply actions

It’s just a matter of trusting the new PK.

It’s stronger, really. They just haven’t been using it enough to let it be second nature. There’s a reason they say old habits die hard.

Also, it looks like Jumbo is starting to like the Goal train again. Mammoth Hockey looks to be making a comeback…

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 12:42 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah i agree about Demers/Braun. I understand wanting to give Demers a chance, but really i think Braun has looked better recently than Demers has ever really looked; i dunno maybe i just have a short memory, but either way Braun has looked really freaking good and now is not the time to bench him.

by Khaaz on Nov 18, 2011 6:30 PM PST up reply actions

Demers was our second best defenseman last season if you like point shares.

by Briceratops on Nov 18, 2011 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

Well it’s easy to be the second best offensive defenseman on a team that only had 2 offensive defenseman for the full year lol. Ian White would’ve beat out Demers had he played with us all year.

by Khaaz on Nov 18, 2011 8:24 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah I know just pointing out that Demers was actually a good player last year

That’s not the case this season but I still think he should be given some more opportunity to work things out.

by Briceratops on Nov 19, 2011 1:10 AM PST up reply actions

swwet Game Sharks

Awesome NEMO rocked it !!

by AlmadenBass on Nov 18, 2011 8:21 AM PST reply actions

OWNING the Red Wings

I just love that Detroit is sort like the Sharks b*tch. I know that sounds harsh but they are my least favorite team and since everyone has their heads up their rears all the time, I love that the Sharks can knock them down a peg or two consistantly.

What a game by Pickles! I love Vlasic… I rarely ever see him make a mistake and I’m glad he was rewarded last night with a goal and 3 freaking assists! Watch out Dan Boyle!

Anyone think Greiss will start on Sunday in Colorado or does Nemo get both back to back games?

GO SHARKS!

Waiting for the Cup to come to SJ since 1991...

GO SHARKS!

Find me on Twitter @njahoda

by winthecupsj on Nov 18, 2011 8:30 AM PST reply actions

The Sharks made one of the hardest days of my life a little easier last night.

And I whole-heartedly appreciate it. I can’t analyze the game or comment on plays or anything, but I’m just grateful they came through and that it happened to come at a time when I really needed it.

Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!

by Auth0r on Nov 18, 2011 10:32 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

Hope everything is OK & that today is better than yesterday.

by milanahalek on Nov 18, 2011 10:38 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Hope everythings alright man

"It was good to get banged and give a few bangs." - Jonathan Cheechoo

by CheechYou on Nov 18, 2011 10:50 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Hang in there buddy.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 11:30 AM PST up reply actions

take care, I second what everyone else said.

Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI

STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!

Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!

by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Nov 18, 2011 11:42 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks folks.

I’m personally alright for the most part. Just had a death in the family that was both shocking and heartbreaking. One day at a time right now, I suppose.

Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!

by Auth0r on Nov 18, 2011 7:31 PM PST up reply actions

last night was beautiful.

Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI

STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!

Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!

by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Nov 18, 2011 11:27 AM PST reply actions

Dammit, Burnzie....

…you’re my Hockey Hero!

It’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN SAN JOSE!

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 11:58 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

From the twitters:

"I don’t have a Twitter account, but I hear they’re calling me Taco Torrey." —Torrey Mitchell

Priceless.

by Noctro on Nov 18, 2011 2:09 PM PST reply actions

Taco Torrey and Hot Pickle…I’m guessing these guys might not wanna hang on to these nicknames for too long, it sounds like some sort of bad porn flick.

by milanahalek on Nov 18, 2011 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

So that nickname isn't exclusively coming from FTF?

by Briceratops on Nov 18, 2011 5:22 PM PST up reply actions

I'm all for Braun getting back into the lineup

but I also think Demers needs to see more games to work his way out of his funk. I think going with 7 D-Men might not be a terrible idea in the next few games.

I think a big reason why Demers has struggled is that when he’s been out there, he’s been paired with a guy who’s billed as a “defensive defenseman” which left Demers feeling he could slack off defensively because he expected his partner to be able to pick up the slack. I think that’s a big mistake for him. Demers was a much better player last season when he was committed to the defensive aspects of his game and let the offense be secondary.

I honestly don’t think it would be THAT terrible of an idea to throw out a Braun-Demers pairing for a game or 2, just to force Demers into thinking HE needs to be the defensively responsible guy on his pairing.

by BillytheSid on Nov 18, 2011 2:51 PM PST reply actions

Still,

if we go with 7 D-Men, we’d be tampering with our 3rd and 4th lines, which are doing pretty well right now. Granted, the Sharks are a team that has survived decently well with shortening its bench with its forwards, but we have a good thing going, and I’m not sure stopping it would be the best.

Of course, if the 3rd pairing gets so bad that having a good bottom 6 can’t compensate, then you may be right.

by bezzerkker on Nov 18, 2011 3:08 PM PST up reply actions

screw it...take Desjardins out and Murray/Winchester get limited minutes, but they've been the best out of the three

I don’t want Braun benched and we need Demers to get his shit together, so…let’s do it

Not a bad idea…at least during one of the two games on the back-to-back. Maybe vs. Avs?

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Nov 18, 2011 5:28 PM PST up reply actions

take Desjardins out and Murray/Winchester get limited minutes, but they’ve been the best out of the three

I don’t see that borne out by the stats. Desjardins has a significantly better faceoff percentage, slightly better shooting percentage, more shots, and a relatively equal +/- to those guys. He has more PIMs, but 15 of those came in one burst when he punched a Duck after the refs had stepped in, otherwise he’d be at about team average. None of them is scoring consistently, so I’d call that a wash.

His CORSI is significantly higher than Winchester’s, but decently behind Murray’s (though his Goals For in 60 is better than both and they’re all about equally bad at Goals Against with some advantage to Murray). His QualComp is actually the highest of the three, but they’re all pretty close there in reality. He’s doing that in only slightly more time than Winchester and about a minute less than Murray. The increasingly common argument that Desi is somehow the least effective player on that line is way overblown.

And like bezzerkker said, the bottom 6 are starting to click. Pulling any part of that out right at the start of that process seems like more of a gamble than it might be worth.

Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!

by Auth0r on Nov 18, 2011 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

My logic:

We have enough centers to make up for the lost FO % from Desi…I like Murray’s speed and Winchester getting his ass to the net (like last night)…seems if we went with 7D, he’d be the one to go. I may be wrong however.

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Nov 18, 2011 10:55 PM PST up reply actions

Murray’s speed, nice as it is to have, doesn’t necessarily make him a more useful part. Nor does Winchester’s willingness to screen. Nor even does Desi’s ability to win faceoffs. They’re all about equal in my mind save for Desi’s slightly lead in stats and two other big things.

One, Desjardins is a rookie and while he’s not young, he’s still got some development time coming to him; Winchester and Murray are not and do not and probably won’t be here next year. In terms of long-term planning, Desjardins needs more focus from the organization.

Two, and really more importantly, if we are going to go 7 D, the two forwards left from the 4th line need to be able to slot in in situations where they’re going to rest forwards higher up the depth chart. Murray and Desjardins can do that on the PK and can both take defensive zone starts pretty capably. Winchester cannot. His CORSI indicates that he’s best used in offensive zone starts because he struggles to turn the play out of the defensive zone. And that’s backed up by the fact that he is the only player on the roster who hasn’t been used on the PK at all this season.

Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!

by Auth0r on Nov 19, 2011 1:07 AM PST up reply actions

Do you think of Thornton and Burns...

As forwards together with Burnzie on the wing (whichever he feels most comfy). Please, listen to my proposition for a second. Imagine a scenario where both Braun and Demers shine and we have enough offense from our D b/c of that. Then think of Burns on the wing and then consider what Thornton has done for Murray, Samsonov, Cheechoo, Setoguchi and now Pavelski. Awards and career bests abound. He loves righty shooters that can position themselves well on the ice for the shot. Now think of Burns on that wing…Can you imagine? The players above were and currently are very good shooters and could/can position themselves well, but Burns would have the ultimate advantage of this group with his 6’5" frame. And he has one of the most wicked wrist shots I’ve ever seen. I think the Thorton © and Burns (RW/LW) combo could be one of the most explosive combos in the league for the next 3-4 years. Thoughts FTFers?

by SharksFan97 on Nov 19, 2011 12:25 AM PST reply actions