Second line reunites, gets right in 4-3 shootout win
by Matthew_Taylor on Dec 1, 2011 10:48 PM PST
in Sharks Game Recaps
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The Sharks still can't seem to kick those first period demons, although they somehow have been able to overcome them.
For the fifteenth time in their twenty-two games this year, San Jose gave up the first goal of the game. Tonight's early lapse didn't fall into the same category as the other fourteen; the Sharks were outplayed in most of those games and deserved to take the first arrow as a result. Against the Canadiens, though, the Sharks played fast and strong early, controlling the play for stretches and winning the majority of face-offs and board battles. Still, Mike Cammalleri was the beneficiary of a well placed shot from the point, and directed it past Antti Niemi for the first score of the game.
In a familiar position, the Sharks needed a hero to save them from what looked like could be another first period let down. Enter Jamie McGinn, who just 40 seconds after Cammalleri's goal, took a glorious pass from Michael Handzus and slammed it past Carey Price for his third goal of the year. McGinn has been getting rewarded on the scoresheet as of late; he's been getting better and better and if he can continue to sprinkle offense into his high octane, physical game, he will quickly become an extremely valuable player at just 24 years old.
The second period would see the Sharks take another punch to the jaw; Joe Pavelski turned the puck over in the offensive zone and David Desharnais was off to the races. Niemi came out to challenge the shooter, but Desharnais placed the puck perfectly under the goalies arm. Desharnais, who earned the game's second star, was a real standout for Montreal, and shows that Doug Wilson isn't the only one who picks up talent under the radar. A two-time training camp invite, Desharnais looked fantastic tonight and I'd say he has a future ahead of him in the NHL.
Down 2-1, the Sharks' reunited second line of Ryane Clowe, Logan Couture and Martin Havlat went to work. None of the three had been producing while separated, and coach Todd McLellan was forced to bring the three back together in an effort to get it going. It worked, first paying off in the form of a beautiful pass from Clowe to Couture that beat Price clean just two minutes after the Canadiens took the lead back.
More of the same? Alright. Eric Cole would put the Canadiens up again in the third, and this time, it seemed like it was a deflating one. The Sharks wouldn't strike back as quickly as before, but that only helped to build up the drama that would unfold in the final minutes.
With Niemi pulled for the extra attacker, the second line entered the zone perfectly, and some great pressure foxed a rebound, which found Clowe's stick in the slot. Clowe didn't miss, and tied the game with just 1:30 left. Retribution. Redemption. It was Clowe's first goal in his last 10 games, and it couldn't have come at a better time for the team or the player.
The Sharks would play a solid overtime period before winning in the shootout to improve their record to 3-0 in the skills competition.
It's only one game, but it's great to see the Sharks get four goals after struggling to score in three straight. With the secondary scoring heating up, it's something the team can build on going forward. Also, Jason Demers looked to be getting some of his physical edge back, as he blew up Eric Cole in the biggest neutral zone hit of the year so far in San Jose's season.
Not everything was great, as the first line was a combined -9, and the Boyle-Murray combo had their share of issues as well. The team committed 22 turnovers, a result of their inability to complete passes... something that has plagued them all year. Still, the Sharks come out tonight with two points. As long as they're earning points, they can accept not playing a perfect game. Hopefully the pursuit of perfection outside of wins pushes them to new heights this season.
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The Alternate Game Recap is amazing.
As is McGinn. :P
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 1, 2011 10:59 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
I was blaring Total Eclipse of the Heart on my laptop when I clicked on the Alternate Game Recap. Thanks.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
by mymclife on Dec 1, 2011 11:01 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
You’re very very very welcome.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Dec 1, 2011 11:05 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It could've been worse.
It could’ve been a song that reminded him of the good times.
"Clearly, you don't understand anything about defeating trolls!" - Troy, Community
Free Demers!
Don't ever let him keep you down.
Flugenweb. Spacecode. Twitzone. Assmode.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
Wow, really must have missed that inside joke...
… Or I’m just horribly slow.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
Have a whiskey drink
then have a vodka drink, then have a lager drink, then have a cider drink.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 2, 2011 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
pissing the night away?
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
Look at every OT thread for the past few months
Specifically, look at the first comment.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
It's some song by the Spice Girls from the 80's.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 3:10 PM PST up reply actions
Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart. Nothing I can say, Total Eclipse of the
McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN McGNYAN
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Dec 2, 2011 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Flag'd.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
x
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 11:19 PM PST up reply actions
Sooooo....
…Ginner has rainbows spraying out of his buttocks?
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 2, 2011 11:47 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Pooping rainbows?
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)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
This is unrelated, but amazing just the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AEUULIs_UWE
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
McGnyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
10 internet dollars says McGinn scores the cup-winning goal.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
Game 22
Sharks score the tying goal before Nemo is able to get completely off the ice. Awesome. Shootouts, yuck, but Sharks Win, Yeah!
Game 22 this season: Shootout Win vs Mon (a 2-day-off-game)
Game 22 last season: Win 4-3 at Edm
at 22 games this season: 14-7-2 / 29 pts, 64 GF – 51 GA
at 22 games last season: 11-7-4 / 26 pts, 65 GF – 63 GA
Next 10 games, games 23-32 last season: 5-4-1
Going: L, W, L, W, SOW, L, OTW, SOL, L, OTW
The December Sharkstistics are now up with all of the updated info.
The Sharks remain on top of the West in the Potential Points Standings.
Sharks, a bit rough, but you pulled out a win, now get out there and start blowing the competition away! Goals and Wins, keep us happy!
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)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
got out played and came out with 2 points
at the end of the day, its all about the “W” when the Stanley cup playoffs starts
btw McGinn is so good he walks on walls
Haters Gonna Hate
Spiderdick!
Flugenweb. Spacecode. Twitzone. Assmode.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
by jwizzle241 on Dec 1, 2011 11:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
He looks so unconcerned about flying horizontally through the air
almost like he is right side up and everyone else is off kilter
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 1, 2011 11:37 PM PST up reply actions
Holy shit. Look to the right.
I WANT THAT GIRL’S HAT.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
they sell those at the tank store...
…Hockeydarling has one. I’ve debated it, but only if we hit the SCF.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 2, 2011 11:50 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Do you know how much? :>
My girlfriend loves hats. I’m thinking anniversary gift~
(And maybe one for me too).
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 3, 2011 8:34 AM PST up reply actions
I'll check next game I go to...~2 weeks.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 3, 2011 1:52 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
All these
come back wins will probably help the team in the playoffs when the going gets tough.
"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
Comeback wins are nice, but...
I prefer being up 5-0 in the first.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 11:26 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah
but then they’ll start giving up 3 or 4 goals in the 3rd. By fighting to hold 1 goal leads I think it makes the team stronger. I see more 5-0 leads after the deadline. I just hope they take this comeback hold the one goal lead into the playoffs.
"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
Who else loved Demers' hit on Gionta?
"You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain Kent Huskins!" - Randy Hahn 2/13/11
I'm on the tweets
They gave it its own video on CSN Bay Area’s website. Complete with Zapruder film style multiple angles and slowmo.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 2, 2011 12:29 AM PST up reply actions
Demers with a big crushing hit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzytiWafO1Y
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Tweet Tweet
The hit was on Cole who’s 6’2, 205lbs (Giont’s generously listed at 5’7, 173lbs), it was a fantastic, momentum changing hit!
The hit Emelin put on Pavelski was pretty damn good too. My favorite part about both hits is that both players bounced right up and neither team found it necessary to start a fight after a good, clean, hard hit.
That was right in front of us.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Really?
I’ll try to find you in the video.
O_O
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
Well we were like 20 some rows up, so good luck with that.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I will find you. O_O
I will track you down. I will find you.
O_________________O
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
Game changer, at that moment I knew the Sharks would tie it up. Its that kind of hit that says, “Yes, we actually do want to win…we care”.
I would rather be happy than right any day.
by SouthBayernMunchen on Dec 2, 2011 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
Who said Brains
might not be able to black on the left side? He looked like a regular Douglas Murray out there.
"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
The Sharks’ inability to complete a pass tonight drove me crazy, but it was great seeing McGinn, Clowe, and Couture light the lamp
Not the best night for the top line though, agreed (and their one powerplay was super bad)
it wasn’t just that they couldn’t complete a pass, it seemed like every bounce went the other way, every poke check the Sharks made the puck went to one of their guys, or hit an official or some other derfy thing.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I really
think some of the players need to stop trying to freeze the puck just after the blue line. Thorton, Boyle, even Havlat and few others have looked pretty bad trying to hold the puck up high after just entering the zone.
"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
hilight moments aside, and keeping in mind we ARE only 1/4 of the way in...
…I saw a lot last night that worried me.
Murray and Boyle missed several turnovers to bad positioning
Our D was often too deep into the O zone, which could have lead to more odd-man rushes (luckily not).
Jumbo did at least 4 blind passes…to nobody. No one was even near the passing lane, which lead to 4 turnovers. Not sure if it was. Puck pressure, or line mates not playing position, but, man, it looked bad.
Burns, Ginner, and Vlasic looked really good and seemed to put in the full 60. Mitchell had his moments too.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 2, 2011 6:03 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions
With Thorton
I just don’t think the Pavelski experiment is working. I don’t think it’s enough that Pav is doing well cause he would do well on any line. I think joe needs a player next to him that completely revolves around him at all time and just looks for his pass. 3 centers on the 1st line when a natural RW would probably help the Marleau/Thorton chemistry more. But then I’d rather have Pavelski centering the 3rd line, I’m starting to miss the helicopter line.
"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
I think joe needs a player next to him that completely revolves around him at all time and just looks for his pass.
That would be a recipe for disaster!! Teams are so good on the backcheck now and about 95% of the teams have defensemen that, if all JT is looking to do is pass (or his winger waiting for a pass) they’ll be easily shut down.
Also, Pavelski is doing just fine on Thornto’s wing – and he’s just flat out too good to move out of the top 6, unless they go for a real 3rd scoring line (meaning NOT having wingers like Mitchell/McGinn/Handzus, etc).
I see
Clowe as a player who plays his game but revolves around Couture who’s the center. All Thorton does anyway is look to pass regardless of how the game has changed. And I’m not saying that it’s all he should do or that whoever plays with him should just wait on him. I just think that Pav automatically or naturally just does his own thing while Joe feeds off of players that feed off of him. It just seems to me that Marleau is playing around two centers trying to figure out who to play with instead of playing with a RW who plays off of their center. If that makes any sense
"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
Doesn’t make any sense at all actually…
Though Thornton will always be a pass first player (he is elite at it afterall) he has completely changed his game over the course of the past 3 years because other teams figured out game plans to shut him down. He’s shooting more, he’s moved away from starting everything from the halfwall,, he’s way more defensively responsible.
Really – there isn’t a single player in the Sharks top 6 who’s game revolves around another player and that’s the way it should be. There are, however, guys who have more chemistry with certain players, maybe that’s what you’re trying to say.
Maybe
You obviously know more then I do so your probably right. I’d still argue that the 2nd line as it is right now plays best when Clowe and Havlat are playing around Couture as the center piece. If it’s chemistry then I’d say that Pav and Thorton don’t seem to have it. The top 6 are all elite in my book but I’d say Havlat has a better chance at gelling with say Couture then Pav does with Joe.
"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
TBQH
Joe Thornton would be Messier-level good if he’d only shoot better. I can see him as a 1.5 PPG player if he figures out how to shoot more accurately and when’s the right time to shoot or pass.
Of course, his newfound defensive prowess isn’t to be ignored. One thing I’ve noticed is that when Thornton is defensively bad, so are the guys behind him… Makes me questions the quality of some of our defensemen.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 2:56 PM PST up reply actions
He shoots fine imo. He just looks like he has a bad shot because he hesitates and looks for the pass before he ever shoots the puck, even if he has a fairly wide open net like he did last night against Price. If Thornton hadn’t hesitated and just one-timed that shot he woulda scored for sure; but then again it’s probably that mentality that’s made him the great player that he is today.
Jumbo isn't shooting more
Look at the stats. The last three years have been his lowest since his 2nd year in the league. http://sharks.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8466138
Those are only his shots that make it to the goal, though. If you’re right about him shooting more, and he’s still getting those lower SOG, then he’s not taking good shots.
The rest of the stuff you said I agree with, though. So that’s nice.
There is a way to compile the Shots Attempted stat, but no one actually ever compiles them (you won’t find it on NHL.com), at least not that I’ve seen.
But if you check the Event Summary after every game offered on the Sharks website you can see a players Shots (S), their Attempts Blocked (A/B), and their Misses (MS).
Thornton had 2 shots, no attempts blocked and no misses, giving him a total of 3 Shot Attempts for the game. Props to anyone who actually goes through all those Event Summaries to compile a total for Jumbo or any other player. I don’t know why there isn’t a comprehensive database for all stats somewhere. It doesn’t sound like it’d be too hard to create one.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 2, 2011 4:56 PM PST up reply actions
*3 shots
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 2, 2011 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
Honestly?
I’d like to see Joe throw it at the twine more this year. He was a proven scorer, took last year to develop two-way defensive play and become the take-away king, but you don’t need to do that at the expense of goals; these aren’t exclusive skill sets. I’ve loved this guy as a player since the B’s picked him up in ‘97, and I’d love to see him go all wooly mammoth on the lamp lighting.
IMO.
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 2, 2011 11:59 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
It isn’t that McGinn has been sprinkling the offense in, it is that he’s finally making smarter decisions. He’s not immediately getting rid of the puck after a board battle to an opponent behind the net, he’s winning board battles and THEN MOVING to the front of the net.
His goals havn’t been specific plays that were planned from the start, but it is most definitely getting there with the intentional movements rising.
I may rag a lot on the guy, mostly deserved, but i’m so glad that he seems to be breaking out of the enforcer mold he was putting himself into the last year and a half. If he can keep on that track he could rediscover his hands and turn the McZues into a a trend.
If Mitchell can calm down at the same time as this rediscovery the Sharks could have a consistent offensive threat from the 3rd.
McGinn
I said to my sister last night after he scored “If McGinn can continue to put up point he’ll be pretty much what every fan thinks the Sharks need to trade for in a 3rd line winger”. I’m really happy to see him improve his game, and I still think he’s got more offensive upside than he’s shown.
Last night was far and away Demers best game of the season!
The 2nd line was fantastic, and I’m glad they were put back together. But the 3 of them really need to not play so poorly when they’re separated becuase there will be injuries and they will be separated again at some point.
I absolutely LOVE the 4th line! And Vlasic!
I think McGinn is an asset, but I still think the team needs another PK forward, which McGinn doesn’t do.
McGnyan, on the other hand, can do anything.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Dec 2, 2011 8:04 AM PST up reply actions
I was referring to the scoring winger everyone’s been asking for…I definitely think the team needs another PKer even thought the PK has been very good since they’ve switched to the 1-3.
The way the 3rd line had been playing, it wouldn’t have surprised me if DW made a move before the new year. But if McGinn can keep his play up, it puts the need to make any additions off until closer to the deadline when there will be quite a few more players avail.
Antti Miettinen?
He’s left the KHF and reportedly wants to come back to the NHL.
I think he’d be an upgrade over Torrey in the areas that matter: PK, forechecking and slightly better in scoring potential
by IsThisTheYear? on Dec 2, 2011 8:54 AM PST up reply actions
If he’s played games over there already then to get back into the NHL he’d have to go through waivers, so the likelihood of whatever team signs him will actually retain him is low, just like how the Sharks stole Wellwood from the Blues last year.
While he’d likely be higher paid than a Wellwood on reentry, he’d be willing to sign an attractive deal to get back, but any such attractive deal would be prime meat for a struggling team, since he is a 40 point guy.
Miettinen might be a decent pick up, though he was avail in the off-season and he didn’t receive any kind of offer from anyone…but there’s one reason I would think the Sharks might not be interested in him and that’s their contract situation.
I know fans don’t really care about how many contracts the Sharks have, but Doug Wilson does. They currently have 48, 50 is the max…where this gets to be an issues is if they sign Miettinen and he doesn’t work out – the Sharks will still need to make a move (or they may just want depth) at the deadline and a majority of the time, teams moving players out don’t want a contract back, just picks.
Wilson has always been active in signing UFA college players as well as CHL players, and adding a contract w/o losing one will severly limit what he can do.
I know Wilson will do whatever he has to do to put the best possible team together, but It’s just something to keep in mind.
@VWhirlwhind, sign him to a $2.5m contract for 1 year – that’d be about $1.75 prorated or so for the remainder of the the year. That amount may discourage teams higher in the waiver pecking order.
@milanahalek, If we sign Miettinen and he is the 49th contract, we still have room for another player at the TDL if he doesn’t work out.
Also, I do think DW will move Nitty for a pick (4th?) so that frees up one contract slot.
We also don’t know if Miettinen didn’t receive any offers or didn’t receive any offers he liked, as far as I know.
Regarding signing UFA college players – would that count against the current season or the following season (2012-13)? That’s a good question.
by IsThisTheYear? on Dec 2, 2011 10:34 AM PST up reply actions
I'm telling you
milanahalek, once our saviour Sheppard starts to play next to Thorton, Pav is moving back down to center the 3rd and Zus will be sent down to center the 4th.
"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
The 4th line played an awful lot if minutes in the 3rd, even when needing a goal
In fact they played more in the 3rd than any other period (6 shifts) with nearly 4 minutes of ice time.I think part of this has to do with the chippiness of MON, but I would think we’d also see more of the same moving forward. With 5 games in the next week+ TM is going to be rolling 4 lines hard, even if the team is down a goal.
"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse
And that's a good thing
Wonder if it came at the expense of which lines?
In any case, I think the 1st, 2nd and 4th lines are taking good shape (despite the crappola game from the 1st). The 3rd line is the one that needs fixing – looking at you, Torrey.
by IsThisTheYear? on Dec 2, 2011 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
Desharnais is to Montreal
as Daniel Erlich is to the Sharks organization. One day they’ll realize what they got.
Daniel Erlich for President
\/\/\/\/\/
/\/\/\/\/\
GO SHARKS!!!
by SharksFanTillDeath on Dec 2, 2011 10:13 AM PST reply actions
I noticed on defense too there seemed to be maybe some miscommunication. I think it was on the second goal Montreal scored. I was watching D. Murray he skated back with the support angle on the attacking Montreal dude, I think Boyle had him. Murray was covering the support angle and the front of the net, another Montreal guy came down the wing to the far post. Murray was motioning for the Sharks player on that side to drop back. He didn’t.
I don’t know who it was since we were at the game and didn’t dvr it but the Habs scored shortly thereafter.
The tank was rather empty and rather meh until the last 4 minutes of regulation and the OT, is that common for a Thursday? We’ve only ever gone on the weekends, long drive is long.
And there was a fight in the stands. Never ever saw that at a hockey game before.
I’m sure there are hockey terms for it but I played soccer…
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I missed the fight in the stands
But I’m not surprised…I mean, it was the Habs.
What period?
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 3, 2011 12:06 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Still not very impressed
Nice to see Clowe finally get one (first goal in last 11 games), but Havlat has been very disappointing. Both Seto and Heater are scoring for the first place Wild, but Havlat isn’t. Drew Remenda called him out before last nights game for taking the easy ice and not working hard enough to get in the right position to score. It’s still early, but I’m left wondering if this team is better than last year? Are they better than Detroit, Chicago, LA, or Vancouver?
Blow them up! Clean house! Abandon ship…EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF RUN FOR YOUR LIVES TO THE NEAREST SAFE BANDWAGON!!!
This team, as awful as everyone tries to make them out to be, is winning 65% of their games. They are going to get better, not worse, as the season progresses. And Havlat will be 10x the value of Heatley when the playoffs start.
I would rather be happy than right any day.
by SouthBayernMunchen on Dec 2, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
Quite a few "if's" about to follow...
IF Dan Boyle & Murray can find their games and regain the chemistry they’ve had in the past,
IF Niemi contintues his 2.36 GAA and .922 SP
IF Demers gets back to last year’s form
IF the 4th line continues to play the way is has the past few weeks
IF the PK continues on it’s current trend & the PK keeps clicking at around 20%
IF the top 6 all play up to the way everyone knows they can…
That’s a whole lotta IF’s. the team definitely has some questioons…but the team w/ all of those questions is currently at a 108 point season pace.
Not only will the team get better, but they have a team that has the potential to be downright scary!
The thing about these "ifs"
is that every single team in the league has a bunch of “ifs,” even Detroit, Vancouver and Chicago have their ifs.
It’s a matter who gets the most ifs to work out best by the time April come around.
And Havlat will be 10x the value of Heatley when the playoffs start.
Rec’d times a million. Of course, this hinges on Havlat’s health come playoff time, but we all know one of the main reasons for the swap was because of Marty’s playoff productivity.
But...
Penalty killing is no longer a member of the Sharks organization!
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 2:57 PM PST up reply actions
I have no idea what you are talking about...
…our new PK is balls out; the only issue I see with it is slightly reduced effectiveness against very fast teams (Vanc).
"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
@TheFourthPeriod How intense with the #Bruins #Habs PO series be? || @Noctro Like K-Y Jelly lit on fire. || @TheFourthPeriod Wow. Best. Answer. Ever.
"I still say McLellan needs to roll Pavelski, Marleau, and Stetoguchi together. No one would go NEAR that line."
My Twitter
by Noctro on Dec 3, 2011 12:10 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
My point would have been valid in October. *crosses arms and pouts*
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 3, 2011 8:35 AM PST up reply actions
And yet
everyone seemed to agree Havlat played his best game as a Shark last night and was the best player on the 2nd line.
Flugenweb. Spacecode. Twitzone. Assmode.
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
2010-2011 FTF 2 Fantasy Hockey CHAMPION
He was struggling before that. Our 2nd line was pretty bad for 10 games or so. And now it’s apparently the 1st line’s turn to suck….
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
It got shuffled because the players that are our 2nd line guys (Couture, Clowe, Havlat) were not producing. Until last night’s game, they were in a bad rut.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I mean, why was it shuffled in the first place (prior to last night)?
The lines were saw last night were the same as there were at the beginning of the season were Marleau-Thornton-Pavs, Clowe-Couture-Havlat, and they produced fine…and then McClellan switched it up moving Couture up and Marleau down and Havlat down and a bunch of weird stuff.
I’m just saying, the lines were fine at the beginning of the season and as they were last night. I hope they don’t change anymore.
People keeping saying this, but TSN told be Cooch has 8 points in the last 9 games, as of Monday.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 3:03 PM PST up reply actions
I’m not sure which 2nd line you mean but Havlat was on an 8 game point streak when he first started playing with Clowe and Couture. Then he got dropped to 3rd line to play with Handzus and he stopped scoring, as did Clowe. Now they’re all back together on the 2nd line and they look great again – WHO COULD’VE PREDICTED THAT??
I think you guys are mixing things up a bit. He stopped scoring for a few games, then was put on the 3rd line, not the other way around.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
He might’ve gone a game or two without scoring with Cloweture, but i remember him always getting chances when playing with them. Mclellan switched up the lines because he wanted to spread out our offensive depth to counter Nashville’s top heavy D, but then he kept the lines that way because Marleau looked re-energized playing center.
With the way McGinn’s playing i wouldn’t mind trying out:
McGinn/Thornton/Pavelski
Clowe/Couture/Havlat
Handzus/Marleau/Mitchell
That 3rd line would be a badass shutdown line with sick breakaway potential. I think it’d be a good way to spread out our depth and shut down other team’s top lines.
I'd go with Zeus at center, too.
But, McGinn is doing well where he is, and I wouldn’t want to screw with that. Putting him on the first line may not be good for him yet. It definitely didn’t help last year.
This article covers that well. http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/sharks-talk/post/McGinn-trending-upward-on-third-line?blockID=604670&feedID=5881
Both Seto and Heater are scoring for the first place Wild, but Havlat isn’t.
I, for one, am glad Havlat is not scoring for the Wild.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 3:00 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Heatley is on pace for 19 goals.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Dec 2, 2011 3:01 PM PST up reply actions
McGinn is on pace for like 12.
But his goal production will increase exponentially.
MCGINN FOR RICHARD.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 2, 2011 3:06 PM PST up reply actions
The funny thing was
A few minutes after calling him out on taking the easy ice, Remenda started talking about the good things he was doing that game, and he talked about the tough areas that he was going to. Granted, his criticism was accurate during Havlat’s bad streak, but he was turning it around this very game.
Yeah
The second they split up Cloweture, I already had a feeling both their productivity would be down. If two players should never be separate, it’s those two.
McLellan is right, though, that you can’t have too much codependency on your lines. What if Clowe or Couture gets injured?
It’s a fine balance between maintaining chemistry and coherence, and adaptability.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I understand that
And that’s probably the only reason I could see for why he switched the lines up, so everyone can learn how to play with everyone, not because McClellan wanted to find better combos.
But I have to think…the top 2 lines last night (as they were at the beginning of the season) are the best combinations and ice our best possible team.
Coaches sometimes switch up lines to get guys out of a slump. Putting Marleau (who was productive) with a slumping Clowe was intended to get Clowe back producing again. Didn’t work this time, but that’s the idea.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
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