Sharks defeat Hiller and dismal Ducks, face Columbus Thursday
by Matthew_Taylor on Jan 4, 2012 10:57 PM PST
in Sharks Game Recaps
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As Jason Plank pointed out in his game day this morning, Jonas Hiller has been some kind of mythical creature this year when he's played San Jose. Tonight, Hiller again looked like the Kraken on crack for a good portion of the game, until the Sharks were finally able to break through and win the all important race to three.
The win didn't come without some hand-wringing, though.
Just 2:37 into the first, Corey Perry backhanded a puck past Antti Niemi to put the Ducks up 1-0. In each of the games the Sharks had played against Anaheim this year, they'd given up the first goal, which played a big part in their 0-3 record to their Southern California rivals. So, not exactly a good start, as the Sharks have a much better winning percentage when scoring first (.800) than when trailing first (.429).
Still, that goal was one of just three shots allowed during the period as San Jose dominated play for the entirety of the first. Although San Jose didn't manage a goal in the opening twenty minutes, it sure looked like they would be scoring one in the near future.
That goal didn't come until Brad Winchester scored a Ben Eager-esque goal at 16:23 of the second. Jamie McGinn made a great up-ice feed to the streaking Winchester who unleashed a laser from high in the zone that clanked off almost every post before falling into the net. It was Winchester's fourth goal of the year, and while he's not a fit for the top-six role he's found himself in at times this year, he's turned out to be a godsend for the Sharks' fourth line.
You could see that the goal re-energized the team, as their next marker would come just a few seconds after... 0:27 to be exact. Benn Ferriero, while also out of place in the Sharks top-six group, has made the most of his time with the skilled players and scored another important goal for this team. Ferriero scored in the same fashion he always seems to: as he's falling down, he makes a strong stick move to force the puck in. That's not a criticism of his game mind you, it's just a fact; look at his goals against Boston, Vancouver and Anaheim. Ice is slippery.
The Sharks would get another goal from Joe Pavelski, his 16th, in the third after Joe Thornton generated a rebound with a hard snapshot. At that point, the game was over; Anaheim generated some chances while out-shooting the Sharks 16-7 in the final frame, but couldn't get the puck past Antti Niemi, who had a very strong game.
Though the big names didn't have huge games, everyone contributed for the Sharks. We especially liked the play of Brent Burns tonight, in particular his defensive play, an observation that had merit when you look at the scorning chances. "Especially notable," said our scoring chance specialist, Derek from The Neutral, "is the fact that Burns spent more time killing penalties than any other Shark yet the team yielded zero chances against when he was on the ice shorthanded."
Burns played a big part of the Sharks killing of all four penalties they faced on the evening, especially a four minute high sticking call that Brad Winchester took late in the first. That was a big kill for San Jose, who couldn't afford to lose any more confidence against a team they have had little success against lately.
Speaking of little success, though, the Sharks also had trouble of their own on their power play, going 0-4 on the game. A recent dry spell has sent the power play conversion percentage plummeting; the Sharks now sit at 17th overall in the league.
That's a metric they have to fix as Columbus comes into town tomorrow night. The Blue Jackets may be able to help them do that, as they're one of only two teams worse at killing penalties than San Jose. The Jackets have been a tonic for most teams' woes, actually, as they have a stranglehold on last place in the league.
Like Anaheim, trade rumors are swirling around the Blue Jackets right now and it's not a stretch to believe that something could give soon. Here's to them not getting any better before tomorrow night, though.
Prediction: Sharks win 5-2. Logan Couture and Jamie McGinn finally get to play on a line together and combine for every goal.
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All I can say is
Thank God we finally beat the Ducks this season. It’s about time.
"He's like a swedish bear"- Randy Hahn, during the Sharks-Canucks brawl on 4.8.2010
I liked the game after the perry goal
Marleau was on a mission he looked great and totally set up that Pav’s Dagger
I liked the part where we beat the Ducks.
And where Corey Perry had a little temper tantrum after hitting the post.
I almost pity the Jackets, but not to the point where I’d oppose a Sharks landslide victory. GO SHARKS GO.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
Everyone agree to pretend that Handzus missing the empty net never happened?
by JBarrow on Jan 5, 2012 12:22 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Add it to the list of things that never happened.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Jan 5, 2012 12:22 AM PST up reply actions
Like the Sharks losing three times to the Ducks-er… Not… Losing… Never happened…
by JBarrow on Jan 5, 2012 12:25 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Like the 2009 playoffs?
I keep seeing it mentioned, but I don’t remember the Sharks going to the playoffs in 2009…
"I've seen enough movies to know that popping the back of a raft makes it go faster!" - Troy Barnes, Community
Free Demers!
No, you're misremembering
The sharks made it to the playoffs that year. We won the presidents trophy, it was pretty swell. But then they cancelled the playoffs. Very unfortunate.
Also, anyone else wanna see Winnie on the shoot out a lot more often now?
by JBarrow on Jan 5, 2012 12:24 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Game 36
Didn’t see it, but watched the highlights. Awesome loud Sharks crowd there.
Game 36 this season: Win 3-1 at Ana (1-day-off-game)
Game 36 last season: loss 0-4 vs LA
at 36 games this season: 21-11-4 / 46 ots, 105 GF – 86 GA
at 36 games last season: 19-12-5 / 43 pts, 106 GF – 100 GA
Next 10 games, games 37-46 last season: 3-7-0
Going: L, W, W, L, L, L, L, L, L, W
These and the rest of the January Sharkstistics have been updated.
Sharks, keep Winning!
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.
We've got to get a lead on last season's sharks now
once they come off this six game losing streak I have this feeling they’re going to be extremely good.
Good to beat the Ducks
Let’s go Sharks!
Joe Pavelski: When it absolutely, positively has to be won in Overtime.
Dang it!
Matt you stole my prediction score!
Great win last night. Successful mini road trip to get two wins against teams that have had our number. Also nice to hear all the Sharks fans loud and proud even though the Infestation wasn’t present.
Sharks win tonight 5-2 and I’m not driving home from HP in a bad mood. Hoping Greiss or Niitty is in net to give Nemo a night off. Goals by Burns, Boyle, Demers, Thornton, and Clowe.
Waiting for the Cup to come to SJ since 1991...
GO SHARKS!
Find me on Twitter @njahoda
I told you they would win
because I wasn’t there. I promise to stay away from the Honda Center for good! Go Sharks!
by HeatersLeadingLady on Jan 5, 2012 8:18 AM PST via Android app reply actions
Good to win in Southern California!!
Ok, Good to score a goal in Southern California!
Glad to pick up the 2 points and beat a team they should beat. They need to do it again tonight.
I’m guessing Greiss (or maybe Niitty) will start tonight and it would go a long, long way if he plays a strong game. There’s a lot of hockey to be played this month (and the 2 after that) and a good game from Greiss will hopefully result in a bit more trust from McLellan and get him a few more starts.
Is Greiss/Niittymaki going to start tonight?
I feel like for the last two months or something it’s been all Niemi (not that there’s anything wrong with that, I like finding Nemo on my TV)
Wingels
He’s been recalled from Worcester, he’s been on fire lately!!!
I’m betting he takes Torrey Mitchell’s spot in the lineup tonight.
Interesting move
All I know is Ferriero’s certainly earned his spot, for now at least. Not just the goals, but tons of scoring chances.
With the limited minutes Mitchell and Andrew Murray got last night, well, it’s not they’ll need a rest tonight, but clearly McLellan isn’t thrilled with their play. I’d say Murray is probably more likely to sit, and maybe Wingels will play with Mitchell and Handzus tonight.
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
Brodie Brazil tweeted (?) it.
brodiebrazilCSN: Tommy Wingels recalled from @WorcesterSharks to #SJSharks
Walk Hard
by mikericcinotme on Jan 5, 2012 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
Greiss/Nitty tonight, Greiss probable to start.
As much as I should be ecstatic, i can’t help but think this is going to be an audition for a Greiss trade. ;(
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Jan 5, 2012 12:00 PM PST reply actions
If Griess is traded,
That means Wilson has confidence in Sexsmith or Stalock next season to be our backup. Because Griess is under contract for 500k next season, and that is a much better value and allocation of cap space than spending 2 mil on the next Nittymaaki.
Backup goaltenders are a dime a dozen
Niemi has proven he’s a starter (wow, I never thought I’d say that!). You can get real value for Greiss in a trade, maybe some value for Nitty. I’m not exactly broken up about seeing either of them go.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Or
It could mean he got an offer for Greiss he couldn’t refuse and he’ll worry about the back up for next year sometime in the summer.
His contract is up at the end of the year, no?
I guess it just depends if we think a $2M contract is the difference between us and a Cup.
No one will give us a roster player for Nitty. So even if you dump him, you still basically have to deal a pick or a prospect to net another roster player. He’d be pure salary dump. So I’m not too fussed about which one potentially gets dealt.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Niitty
He wasn’t signed to be a backup (when he signed anyway) so I wouldn’t really worry about Wilson signing a backup to that kind of contract.
IF Nitty is re-signed next season as our backup
It won’t be for a $2m caphit.
Nitty was signed to that amount when he had a chance to be a starter.
As a backup, he’d have to sign for $600-800K. If he can’t get a starter’s role (or chance at one) elsewhere, he could be re-signed for that amount. As Elvis said, backups have little value in this league.
by IsThisTheYear? on Jan 5, 2012 1:17 PM PST up reply actions
Hilarious 3 stars from last night
Perry was the first star and Fowler was the third? Obviously it’s going to be biased, but that’s just funny.
I think it's delicious
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Never make any guarantees when it comes to our goaltending
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Nitty's backing up
According to Brodie Argentina.
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Jan 5, 2012 12:35 PM PST up reply actions
Nitty and Griess skated, Niemi rested.
Who cares
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Jan 5, 2012 12:47 PM PST up reply actions
Going to the game tonight
Hope the 3 hours there and the 3 hours back are worth it tonight!
by slotownsharksfan on Jan 5, 2012 12:32 PM PST reply actions
In leau of tonights game against the Blue Jackets and the recent trade rumors....
Is there any chance of getting Rick Nash? A cap hit of 7.8 mil til 2018… Havlat and either D. Murray, Demers, or Braun and a pick would cover it.
What do you guys think?
"It was good to get banged and give a few bangs." - Jonathan Cheechoo
.
Rick Nash is a very good player, but I have no interest in that contract! The Sharks would have a really hard time icing a competitive team with almost $40mil tied up in 4 forwards, two d-men and a goalie.
Steve Nash might be cheaper.
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Jan 5, 2012 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Havlat will not waive his NTC to go to Columbus
And I don’t think we can afford to lose a D-man at this point.
I like the trade in principle, because rolling:
Nash-Thornton-Marleau
Clowe-Couture-Pavelski
makes me all a tingle, but the state of the blue line following the trade would worry me.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
There is the pick
A top 6 forward, a top 4 d-man and a pick seems like a pretty decent deal in my view.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Not saying this particular trade is good
But in principle, that’s a pretty good return for Nash
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I think you overestimate how valuable Havlat is.
His cap hit is no joke either. Look at the Mike Richards trade for comparison. Philly got a young, cost controlled second line winger, the third overall prospect in the game, and a high draft pick. Nash is better than Richards so he could likely net them more.
Oh I agree
See above comment
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Yep
If they do move Nash (I don’t think they will) it won’t be for a 30 year old injury prone winger even if there’s a young d-man and pick included.
I just hope that if he is moved, it's not to a Western Conference Contender.
Maybe Florida is a good fit? They have one of the top farms in the game, planty of cap space, and Washington is breathing down their necks in the standings.
I'm writing a full article on this tomorrow, since Nash is my favorite player and it's worth a look...
Here’s the deal I think is fair for both sides:
To San Jose: Rick Nash
To Columbus: Ryane Clowe, Benn Ferriero, Antero Niittymaki, Justin Braun, Tyson Sexsmith and a 2nd
It seems like alot going the other way, but Niittymaki is basically a salary throw in. Clowe helps them now, Braun and Ferriero help them now and into the future, and Sexsmith gives them a goalie prospect for the future. Although I would much rather give them Stalock or Sateri.
Nash is still just 27 and I’d say he’s one of the top five players in the league behind Stamkos, Crosby (when healthy), Malkin, Toews and Ovi.
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 Jan 5, 2012 1:24 PM PST up reply actions
Obviously that puts him in top 6, but you get the point… he’s among those players.
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 Jan 5, 2012 1:26 PM PST up reply actions
Marleau or Boyle
Would probably have to go (or should go) in the offseason. Otherwise, our cap structure is top heavy.
Otherwise, obviously would love a big 1C to take Jumbo’s spot in a few years.
by IsThisTheYear? on Jan 5, 2012 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
I desperately
want Marleau to retire as a Shark, so I would be highly opposed to this.
by HeatersLeadingLady on Jan 5, 2012 1:50 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I don’t know if I’d even put Nash in the top 10 let alone 5…for a guy who’s only gone over a point per game once in his career (I know, Columbus is not a good hockey team) doesn’t seem worth that $7.8mil contract.
Even if you just put him in top 10, still worth it. And if you look at what he has to work with in Columbus (absolutely nothing) the points don’t matter as much.
Skill, size, he’s elite.
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 Jan 5, 2012 1:50 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Wow
It’s not unreasonable… it might even be realistic… but wow…
I need a minute…
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I would cry
if we lost Clowe.
by HeatersLeadingLady on Jan 5, 2012 1:46 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I might cry...
If we gave up BOTH Ferriero and Braun. I’d just die losing those two…I just think they are amazing.
But Rick Nash is special.
Not sure the money works out, though, in the long run. I’d much rather give up Marleau as part of a Nash trade.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Jan 5, 2012 2:02 PM PST up reply actions
Better yet would be Havlat going the other way, but since he’s perpetually dead, that seems unlikely.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Jan 5, 2012 2:03 PM PST up reply actions
Couture or Pavelski
I don’t see how it could get done without one of those two involved.
In which case (esp. if it still included Brauner) I wouldn’t really care about how well Nash might fit in here. I’d be busy crying myself to sleep.
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
Yeah...
No way they don’t demand Couture or Pavs…at which point I politely decline and hang up the phone.
Honestly, if I’m going to make a big trade for the Sharks this season, I’d still be looking to shore up the blueline, and trying to get Ryan Suter. Rick Nash is still a great player, though…its fun to think about.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Jan 5, 2012 2:11 PM PST up reply actions
Definitely fun to think about
But yeah, I just think back to what the Kings had to give up to get Mike Richards last summer. Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, and a 2nd round pick?
Those are the terms we’re dealing with here, and I just don’t think the Sharks have the resources, since we know the Jackets would want to go young and stock up.
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
Victory and the 'Havlat issue'...
Hey, I predicted this 3 – 1 score correctly! I just had the numerals beside the wrong teams, and that’s a good thing. Anyway, with an improved Washington squad coming up on Saturday, the Sharks really need to get these should-be-automatic points from Columbus, especially on home ice. Anything less than two points would be a total momentum and confidence decimating event.
Also on my mind, does anyone have any ideas about what, if anything, could be done about this Martin Havlat debacle? The guy was clearly not contributing anything significant enough to justify his presence, and is once again missing due to injury – I mean he has completely been useless to this team. He was supposed to (alongside the apparent improvement on the salary cap situation) replace Heaters to some kind of respectable degree… and instead he has been everything I feared his career has insinuated – fragile and apparently lost on a team where he is NOT virtually the only ‘scoring option’.
Do you think they could possibly get… I don’t know, Kyle Wellwood in a straight up trade for Havlat? That would reduce some cap space, no? And bring in a player that shows up most the time? Seriously…
We have been swimming these wintry depths for years, succeeding at survival by feeding only upon perennial minnows of sustenance... will we ever get to sink our great white teeth into this so-called Stanely's feast, so that we may finally slay our insatiable hunger in frenzied celebration?
Wellwood for Havlat.
K.
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 Jan 5, 2012 1:25 PM PST up reply actions
What can be done?
Be patient. Do some yoga, meditation. That sort of thing.
Lots of guys start slowly after changing teams. Havlat did before when he moved to Minnesota, if I’m not mistaken.
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
I say trae Burns and Niemi to PHX for Yandle.
He plays both ends of the ice.
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Jan 5, 2012 2:33 PM PST reply actions
Win is a win.
The Sharks won their third game in a row, have points in ten of their last eleven games, and aside from the offense seemingly unable to finish most quality chances, at least the defense is looking very good. Anyone who feels uneasy about defeating Columbus by only ‘one goal’, I really think you have to take into consideration the amount of games played in four nights and the fact that they largely overplayed the Blue Jackets for long stretches – this is the NHL, and there are theories about ‘garbage points’ and ‘automatic’ points, and yeah, this is a ‘must win’ game, but I think we all know in the NHL nothing is achieved without hard work; and they won this ‘must win’, mission accomplished in my view (and I guess I can really tend to be negative at times too, but even I can see the positives with the recent victories the Sharks have collected).
And Briceratops, thanks for the apology the other day, don’t worry, I tend to disagree with what I say too a lot of times…
We have been swimming these wintry depths for years, succeeding at survival by feeding only upon perennial minnows of sustenance... will we ever get to sink our great white teeth into this so-called Stanely's feast, so that we may finally slay our insatiable hunger in frenzied celebration?
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