Pavelski's four-point night lifts Sharks over Washington

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 8:21 PM PST in Sharks Game Recaps

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 13: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Logan Couture #39 and Joe Thornton #19 after scoring in the second period against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on February 13, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Disregarding a pair of opportunities by Tommy Wingels early in the first period with Thomas Greiss pulled for an extra attacker during a delayed penalty, the Sharks didn't record a scoring chance in this game at even strength until almost ten minutes into the second period. Of course, by that point, they were already up 2-0.

Two goals and two assists by Joe Pavelski on a night when the best power play in the NHL erupted for another three goals, an occurrence that's become commonplace as of late, along with tallies by Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns and Ryane Clowe gave the Sharks a 5-3 win over the floundering Washington Capitals in a game in which the Caps had a decided territorial advantage but weren't able to generate a ton of terrific opportunities courtesy of mostly solid defensive positioning by the Sharks. Whether or not spending as much time in their own zone as the Sharks did tonight and still managing to tie their opponent in EV chances is a sustainable feat is a point for debate (a debate that can end here: it's not) but kudos to the team for being able to generally keep the Caps' shooters to the outside tonight.

The Sharks' first scoring play of the night was one that seems to have become a legitimate way to light the lamp against Washington this season. Two weeks after Mikael Samuelsson of the Florida Panthers scored on Michael Neuvrith from just outside the blueline and four days after the Jets' Dustin Byfuglien pounded one in from center ice past Tomas Vokoun, Dan Boyle decided to test the Capitals' third-string netminder Braden Holtby with a genuine, Kenan-Thompson-in-the-Mighty-Ducks-2-style knucklepuck from the red line that found twine after deflecting off Pavelski who was positioned just inside the offensive zone. Greiss ensured the 1-0 lead stood, following up his terrific breakway save on a Brooks Laich shorthanded attempt prior to the Pavelski goal with some impressive work on the penalty kill.

Despite being outchanced 4-0 to begin the period (10-0 dating back to their final chance of the first), the Sharks scored the next two goals of the game as well, both created by their red-hot power play. Pavelski again cashed in, this time on the rebound of a Logan Couture shot from a sharp angle for a goal that poor Doc Emrick believed was stopped by Holtby for a good, oh, twenty minutes after the red light went on. Pavelski and Couture were both involved on San Jose's third goal of the evening as well with Couture deflecting a Pavelski point shot and Marleau shoveling home the resulting rebound.

A Dmitry Orlov buzzer-beater with a second remaining in the middle frame for Washington made things interesting heading in to the third but the Sharks were able to come out and play their strongest twenty minutes of the night, outchancing the Caps 6-3 (Full scoring chance summary after the jump) and padding their lead on the scoreboard which proved useful as late strikes by unlikely contributors in defensemen Roman Hamrlik and Jeff Schultz kept things close well into the game's final minutes.

It's difficult to make a decisive evaluation about the Sharks' play in this game. On the one hand, they were demolished in the possession battle by a team that's been absolutely dreadful at controlling the play at even strength since coach Dale Hunter's arrival. But on the other, they were able to suppress quality chances against and finished the game on a strong note. Perhaps the most important thing, at least in the short term, is that they picked up the two points to keep pace with Los Angeles and remain atop the Pacific Division with games in hand on the teams chasing them. An uneven start to this behemoth of a road trip to be sure, but it's always preferable to have a win in the bank.

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	4	6	2	3	2	1	0	0	0	2	0	0
2	6	8	3	3	3	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
3	6	3	4	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	16	17	9	9	7	1	0	0	0	7	0	0

Team	Period	Time	Note	SJS						Opponent
SJS	1	17:14	Wingels	19	22	29	39	57	61	21	26	42	44	70	74	5v5
SJS	1	17:04	Wingels	19	22	29	39	57	61	21	26	42	44	70	74	5v5
SJS	1	16:44	Boyle PP	1	8	12	19	22	39	20	21	27	70	74		5v4
SJS	1	15:59	McGinn PP	1	26	29	61	64	88	21	27	70	74	90		5v4
WSH	1	13:21	Laich	1	3	10	57	69	88	6	21	54	55	70	83	5v5
WSH	1	12:59	Semin	1	22	29	39	44	57	6	8	28	55	70	85	5v5
WSH	1	10:57	Orlov	1	3	17	26	64	88	26	28	44	70	81	90	5v5
WSH	1	9:26	Laich SH	1	8	12	19	22	39	20	21	27	70	74		5v4
WSH	1	4:38	Semin PP	1	3	8	12	88		6	8	20	28	70	90	4v5
WSH	1	3:55	Johansson PP	1	39	44	61	69		6	8	20	28	70	90	4v5
WSH	2	19:34	Halpern	1	3	8	12	19	88	15	20	25	27	70	74	5v5
WSH	2	17:34	Perreault PP	1	5	17	26	61		8	21	25	70	74	85	4v5
WSH	2	17:32	Carlson PP	1	5	17	26	61		8	21	25	70	74	85	4v5
WSH	2	17:19	Perreault PP	1	3	8	12	44		21	25	70	74	81	85	4v5
SJS	2	16:34	Goal - Pavelski PP	1	8	12	19	22	39	15	26	27	70	74		5v4
WSH	2	15:23	Hamrlik	1	3	17	26	64	88	8	42	44	70	81	90	5v5
WSH	2	14:25	Johansson PP	1	3	39	69	88		6	8	20	28	70	90	4v5
WSH	2	13:50	Ovechkin PP	1	5	17	26	61		6	8	20	28	70	90	4v5
WSH	2	10:59	Semin	1	22	29	39	44	57	8	27	28	70	74	85	5v5
SJS	2	10:31	McGinn	1	5	17	26	61	64	26	42	44	70	81	90	5v5
SJS	2	3:50	Couture PP	1	8	12	19	22	39	25	26	27	70	74		5v4
SJS	2	3:49	Goal - Marleau PP	1	8	12	19	22	39	25	26	27	70	74		5v4
SJS	2	2:48	Winchester	1	3	10	39	43	88	6	21	54	55	70	83	5v5
SJS	2	2:30	Couture	1	3	10	39	43	88	6	21	54	55	70	83	5v5
SJS	3	18:37	Marleau	1	12	22	29	39	44	6	8	55	70	85	90	5v5
SJS	3	18:27	Couture	1	12	22	29	39	44	6	8	55	70	85	90	5v5
SJS	3	18:19	Clowe	1	12	22	29	39	44	6	8	55	70	85	90	5v5
WSH	3	15:56	Hendricks	1	5	17	26	61	64	21	26	28	44	70	81	5v5
SJS	3	14:22	McGinn	1	17	22	26	44	64	6	8	44	70	83	90	5v5
SJS	3	12:58	Marleau PP	1	12	19	29	61	88	15	27	70	74	90		5v4
SJS	3	12:57	Goal - Clowe PP	1	12	19	29	61	88	15	27	70	74	90		5v4
WSH	3	10:24	Brouwer	1	3	12	29	39	61	20	44	70	81	83	90	5v5
WSH	3	9:38	Goal - Hamrlik	1	3	12	17	26	88	25	44	70	81	83	90	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
1	T. GREISS	42:53	7	9	8:29	7	1	7:51	0	7
3	D. MURRAY	14:20	2	6	0:47	0	0	3:42	0	3
5	C. WHITE	10:42	1	1	0:12	0	0	1:39	0	3
8	J. PAVELSKI	13:24	0	1	4:58	4	1	1:40	0	2
10	B. WINCHESTER	4:30	2	1	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
12	P. MARLEAU	14:26	3	3	5:16	6	1	2:42	0	2
17	T. MITCHELL	11:17	2	4	0:01	0	0	1:17	0	3
19	J. THORNTON	14:09	2	1	5:30	6	1	1:51	0	0
22	D. BOYLE	18:03	6	2	4:33	4	1	1:52	0	0
26	M. HANDZUS	10:53	2	4	3:13	1	0	2:04	0	3
29	R. CLOWE	14:35	5	3	3:17	3	0	0:08	0	0
39	L. COUTURE	13:22	7	3	4:03	4	1	3:10	0	2
43	J. MCCARTHY	8:02	2	0	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
44	M. VLASIC	19:36	4	2	0:11	0	0	4:01	0	2
57	T. WINGELS	8:08	2	3	0:00	0	0	0:00	0	0
61	J. BRAUN	10:53	3	2	3:08	3	0	1:49	0	4
64	J. MCGINN	12:38	2	3	2:48	1	0	0:00	0	0
69	A. DESJARDINS	5:38	0	1	0:00	0	0	2:50	0	2
88	B. BURNS	14:22	2	5	4:28	3	0	2:39	0	2

Head-to-head scoring chances:

The line combinations I have players sorted by are just the ones the team started with since it wasn't long until McLellan put the ol' blender to good use.

The third line failed to win any of their scoring chance battles and their possession numbers were by far the worst on the team. I probably sound like a broken internet by now but the Sharks really need more talent there, whether that involves adding a player who could push Martin Havlat down to that unit after his return or acquiring a forward for the express purpose of strengthening the line.

Unfortunately another poor game for the Murray/Burns pairing who looked like they had turned a corner.

More stats from the game: Corsi/Fenwick, Shift Charts, H2H Ice Time, Zonestarts, Play-By-Play, Box Score

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Comments

So by NHL standings, the power play is now 4th out of the whole league.

Celebrate!

by Rockflpn on Feb 13, 2012 8:38 PM PST reply actions

Per capgeek.com

Come trade deadline. We should have about 12M in cap space…

San Jose Sharks " $9,470,227 $12,548,051

Doesn’t this sound a little high?

"Now your gunna get it Bobby" -Happy
Will Harris San Jose - Sacramento

by will_hunter23 on Feb 14, 2012 11:20 AM PST up reply actions

REPLY FAIL

"Now your gunna get it Bobby" -Happy
Will Harris San Jose - Sacramento

by will_hunter23 on Feb 14, 2012 11:20 AM PST up reply actions

Woah, Rick Nash is on the trading block? WANT ::Grabby hands::

I know it isn’t going to happen but….::sigh::

by WhatsAMataHari on Feb 13, 2012 9:15 PM PST reply actions

Who know what they're gonna want for him!!

by Tiberon07 on Feb 13, 2012 9:27 PM PST up reply actions

Too expensive for the Sharks

Who would be sacrificed?

If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
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by Soloact on Feb 13, 2012 9:51 PM PST up reply actions

…~~sexily~~ awkwardly.

by bezzerkker on Feb 13, 2012 11:53 PM PST up reply actions

There is just no way Nash ends up here. Our cupboard is bare, and we’d have to sacrifice forward and defensive depth to get him.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Feb 13, 2012 10:20 PM PST up reply actions

Naw dude I bet they are totally interested in Havlat

by Briceratops on Feb 13, 2012 10:38 PM PST up reply actions

Great team effort tonight

The Sharks looked like a well coached team!!

by Tiberon07 on Feb 13, 2012 9:25 PM PST reply actions

Again, low marks on stats presentation

by Tiberon07 on Feb 13, 2012 9:36 PM PST reply actions

I asked you for a critique last time you brought this up and you had no response. What would you like to see changed?

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

Needs more heart.

"The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
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by Mr. Plank on Feb 13, 2012 9:47 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions 5 recs

I’m afraid that won’t be possible until I acquire Travis Moen at the deadline.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 9:52 PM PST up reply actions

Ahem.

Needs more chlamydia.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Feb 13, 2012 10:10 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

Not the OP, but it looks good to me.

by WhatsAMataHari on Feb 13, 2012 9:50 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I don’t get it. I love these stats, and they’re perfectly readable.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Feb 13, 2012 10:11 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

I think this shade of blue is excellent

btw.

Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
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by idunno723 on Feb 13, 2012 10:13 PM PST up reply actions

There is an awesome mod for google chrome

Called SBNation black list. It’s an amazing tool. See, what you do is wait until your team loses a game and then read the comments. You select all of the idiots that quit on the team after one not even bad loss in a muddy game (it’s the Blues, they make every team look like shit, including themselves).

I used this method and now have no idea what you’re replying to, but feel completely unsurprised that somebody who’s comments I felt contributed nothing to the conversation whatsoever have critiques that aren’t backed up by anything, repeatedly.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 13, 2012 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

Also

I love your posts, please keep them coming. Advanced statistics make me feel all tingly in the fun places.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 13, 2012 11:03 PM PST up reply actions

What does it look like?

Just a blacked-out comment? How does it work in chains of replies?

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by PNK on Feb 14, 2012 8:33 AM PST up reply actions

It’s a greyed-out box that only includes the blocked user’s username. None of the other comments are affected. So you can still see the replies to the black listed user’s comment, but you don’t know what the comment actually is.

Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES

by mymclife on Feb 14, 2012 9:59 AM PST up reply actions

Interesting. That would be particularly handy if you could choose to unblock specific comments. IMO

by Cloweture on Feb 14, 2012 10:04 AM PST up reply actions

Seems kind of silly. I think I would just be curious what they said, especially if other people are replying.

You always have the option to just ignore the comments yourself.

by PNK on Feb 14, 2012 11:16 AM PST up reply actions

There are a couple people I can’t see, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything but irritation and stupidity.

It’s a very serene feeling.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 15, 2012 12:06 AM PST up reply actions

Kudos to Greiss for a strong beginning to the game. I thought he did a good job of allowing San Jose to sit back a little bit and be opportunistic as the game wore along.

He always rides 95 on that fine line between being far too aggressive and staying in control but it panned out well for him tonight. Good to see him get a win.

"The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Feb 13, 2012 9:53 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions

He was spectacular through the first 39 min 58 seconds…

He should continue to gain confidence in himself and from the coaches / team, they’re going to need him quite a bit over the next 2 months.

by milanahalek on Feb 13, 2012 9:57 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, can’t say I dig the 3 goals he let in, but hey, if he stays above .900 then I’m fine with him.

by JBarrow on Feb 13, 2012 10:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

You know you’ve had a good game when you let in 3 and your SV% for the season still shoots up as a result.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:03 PM PST up reply actions

I feel like their was a game this season between the Pens and Canes where the Canes’ goalie had 5 or 6 goals against, but still managed a save percentage over .900.

by JBarrow on Feb 13, 2012 10:05 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

That sounds like Cam Ward

he’s a pretty darn good goalie on a team that plays awful defense. They’ve hung him out to dry so long that I don’t think he’s even capable of sweating anymore.

by bezzerkker on Feb 13, 2012 11:59 PM PST up reply actions

Cam Ward is such a stud...

He’s actually my favorite goalie in the whole league.

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:34 AM PST up reply actions

Not Nabby?

Shame on you.

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by sharkzfan on Feb 14, 2012 4:11 PM PST up reply actions

Have you watched Cam Ward play? It can be magical…

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:01 PM PST up reply actions

54th Game nets a Sharks Win

Sharks played well against themselves, um, I mean the East Coast Sharks, um, Wash. These two teams have similar play, but the Sharks played well. Fluke goals on both sides. Was hoping for a double hatty from Pavs & Patty.

Game 54 this season: Win 5-3 at Wash (0-day-off-game)
Game 54 last season: Win 2-0 at Wash
at 54 games this season: 31-17-6 / 68 pts, 158 GF – 130 GA
at 54 games last season: 29-19-6 / 64 pts, 152 GF – 144 GA
Next 10 games, games 55-64 last season: 8-2-0
Going: W, L, L, OTW, W, W, W, OTW, SOW, SOW

Sharks remain 4th in the West and at the top of the Pacific in the Magic/Tragic/Potential Points Standings.

These, and the rest of the February Sharkstistics, have been updated.

Sharks, keep this winning streak going! You can do it!

by Soloact on Feb 13, 2012 10:02 PM PST reply actions

Woah game 54 both seasons was against the Caps? Cool.

by WhatsAMataHari on Feb 13, 2012 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

I did a double-take

to make sure I got it right. Same game # vs same team doesn’t happen very often.

(no, everyone, I’m not going to go look up all of the games for that stat. I have enough on my plate) :-)

by Soloact on Feb 14, 2012 3:25 AM PST up reply actions

you’re so lazy and selfish…

by PNK on Feb 14, 2012 8:34 AM PST up reply actions

I like that despite complaining about losing offense

We have more goals this year than last (basically without Heatley and Seto combined, lets be honest, Havlat barely counts in that department)

And our Goals against is notably better… Seems like the trades improved the team if you ask me.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 13, 2012 11:09 PM PST up reply actions

Also

no longer having Huskins and Wallin on the ice helps.

by bezzerkker on Feb 14, 2012 12:01 AM PST up reply actions

Yea, especially given Heatley’s regular season goal scoring proficiency and the lack of Havlat entirely it is impressive. It is for this reason that I think if Havlat returns with even half his production capability from the Wild just last year then the Sharks will have no major stumbles along the way to another WCF appearance at the least.

by VVhirlwind on Feb 14, 2012 3:22 AM PST up reply actions

I mean

The best few teams in the west are better in general this year, I feel like. The west as a whole is weaker, but we’re looking at the blues, the canucks or the red wings in all probability in round 2. The only team I have confidence in us beating is the wings.

by warning on Feb 14, 2012 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

(not to say "we're going to lose" to the other two)

I just am not confident we’d win

by warning on Feb 14, 2012 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

I even worry about the Wings

Last year’s win was luck as much as anything else. But I sure as heck feel better than them than I do about Vancouver and St. Louis. Chicago I’m on the fence on. If they get new goaltending, I think they’re poised to make some noise. Otherwise, it’s a crap shoot, with a slight edge to us I think.

GO SHARKS!

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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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 6:53 PM PST up reply actions

So, what you're saying is...

That besides the teams that are better than us and will knock us out of the playoffs, the Sharks can win a playoff series?

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:02 PM PST up reply actions

Nah

We’re the chokiest chokers that ever choked.

I think a series this season with Detroit would go 7 games. Chicago would probably go 6 or 7 (again, depending on goaltending). I’ll take us in either of those series, but I think, just like Detroit last season, it will bruise and break us for round 3.

Assuming St. Louis or Vancouver is lying in wait for round 4, I don’t like our chances at all.

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:04 PM PST up reply actions

*assuming STL or VAN is lying in wait for round 3

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

I think, in a series against St. Louis, we’d be able to make the necessary adjustments to break through the Hitch-Trap and figure it out. Vancouver scares the shit out of me. I don’t think they’re all that good…they just have our number.

Also, I think goaltending will be our downfall in the same way it will be Chicago’s…but that’s not surprising coming from me…

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 8:58 PM PST up reply actions

Sign of good depth...

Also…Joe Pavelski, American Hero.

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:35 AM PST up reply actions

Correction

Joe Pavelski, Intergalactic Hero

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 6:52 PM PST up reply actions

I think the GA is pretty much a function of Niemi

His overall game is still very strong. Also, Marc-Edouard Vlasic is a brand new man this year. His improvement has helped to mask a lot of Burns’ issues, and I think it’s helped ease the burden on Dan Boyle (ironically, that’s what Burns was supposed to do).

I like that Burns’ numbers are starting to look better defensively, but I am NOT a fan of the Burns/Murray Pairing. I think the both of them are just prone to disasterous reads and do not compliment each other well at all.

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 6:51 PM PST up reply actions

Quick! Someone find Deep Waters so he can tell us how this team sucks, and tonight was just a fluke!

by JBarrow on Feb 13, 2012 10:04 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Hey, hey...

I am not totally unreasonable, granted it was a flukey first goal, but the win overall was pretty much a deserved victory!

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?

by Deep Waters on Feb 14, 2012 12:29 AM PST up reply actions

So who is it that you don't think has the talent to be on the third line?

And who do you want to trade for more “talent”? Braun? Demers? You need to trade a good player in order to get a good player.

by SanFranciscoKnights on Feb 13, 2012 10:06 PM PST reply actions

And I remember Doug Wilson explaining the Burns deal...

He said that he had 7 top-6 forwards and that gave him the flexibility to trade one in order to make an upgrade for the defense. I don’t see him giving up that defensive depth in order to get a 7th top-6 forward. That doesn’t make sense to me, but I guess we all have our own opinion.

by SanFranciscoKnights on Feb 13, 2012 10:10 PM PST up reply actions

An upgrade to the third line might not cost us a young defenseman.

Last year teams were trading mid-round picks for third line depth at the deadline. Apparently it is a sellers market this year, but I still don’t think we would have to give up Demers or Braun for someone like Travis Moen.

by Briceratops on Feb 13, 2012 10:14 PM PST up reply actions

Ok, that could be a good thing afterall. However, I would assume that acquiring a top-6 forward would require giving up some value in return.

by SanFranciscoKnights on Feb 13, 2012 10:27 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, if they’re getting a top six guy they’d probably have to give up Demers or Braun. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible something like a 1st+Petrecki gets you Ales Hemsky. Which is probably not a great idea seeing as they can’t afford Hemsky long-term and the prospect pool is already pretty shallow. On the other hand, Hemsky on a line with Couture and Clowe would be incredible.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:38 PM PST up reply actions

We’ve already got a fragile Czech forward, so our quota is filled….

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Feb 13, 2012 10:51 PM PST up reply actions

Most definitely a top 6 guy would require giving up some existing players or some substantial prospects and high picks for this year (which doubtfully would be worth it given this year’s reported draft depth).

The thing is Havlat was obtained to take that top 6 role, and I just don’t see DW trading for a top 6 unless his injury was season ending. With him coming back with at least 10 games before the playoffs, there will be conditioning time etc. Especially given how well they’re doing now without him, I simply see the 3rd line being solidified and then even if Havlat’s return is underwhelming it would be too much of an investment to shoot higher.

by VVhirlwind on Feb 14, 2012 3:28 AM PST up reply actions

I don't want to

see Doug Wilson give up more then Mitchell, Petrecki, a mid round pick or the teams 2nd round pick (not Minny’s) and McLaren if there’s any miracle he could work something out with him. I’d be happy with whatever he could get out of that, not happy if he gives up more then that. Too bad he wasn’t able to trade Nitty and Handzus has a NMC which I don’t think is gonna be good for the team next year with how the team’s cap might turn out.

"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 Feb 14, 2012 12:27 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

I honestly don’t want to see him give up anything higher than a 4th for this year for a 3rd liner, given how deep this year’s draft is reported to be.

Also, the Sharks’ 2nd pick is already gone, traded to Carolina for last year’s rental of Ian White, which is likely why DW needed to get that 2nd back from Minnesota.

As for next year’s cap, it is fine because of the Heatley for Havlat swap. That swap was entirely about cap space because of the Couture and Burns bumps. Without that cap space requirement, I’m 99% sure that DW would have kept Heatley even if his salary didnt justify the performance. For next year I don’t see Mitchell being retained for what he’s paid now, if at all. McGinn will probably get a bump to 1.2-1.4.
If White is retained, Vandermeer let go, McGinn/Braun getting bumps, Mitchell getting regression, a small bump to Desi, and the rest of the 3rd/4ths signing at roughly the same, then the Sharks come out with something like 1.5 in cap space.

So while technically as a team they’re fine for the cap, the problem comes with being able to get new additions from free agency, or retaining any trade deadline people from this year if a rental is aimed at with only picks/prospects.

Though if Mitchell is let go, and a 3rd liner is targeted at for 2.2 then it is doable, but free agency 3rd liners will prob go for a bit more than that for the higher quality guys (God I wish we coulda had a shot at Pascal Dupuis, stupid end season extension!). All the stuff surrounding Joel Ward last off-season shows how much they can go for. That would also take the Sharks ass up to the cap, and I don’t think they want to do that because of the lack of flexibility in callups as well as flat out revenue generation (if the Sharks are in the red this year like they were last year).

by VVhirlwind on Feb 14, 2012 3:51 AM PST up reply actions

The Sharks have two 2nd round draft picks, Minnesota’s and the compensatory pick from not signing White (the guy they got in the Ehrhoff trade, #55 overall).

This years draft, as it turns out, isn’t very good. The top 8-10 picks are all high end prospects, it falls off quite a bit after that. It’s also deep on D, very, very thin at forward. The Sharks needs are in the forward position so any of their first 3 picks will be in play.

With the uncertainty of the CBA going into next year, who know what’s going to happen with the cap. As of now, there’s reports it will go up, reports of another possible salary rollback, reports of the NHLPA positioning themselves for another lockout….who knows. The only thing known right now is that the Sharks have a little over $8.7mil in cap space w/ 8 or 9 spots to fill out, all of them bottom 6 forwards and bottom pairing d-men, they’re pretty fine to do whatever they want to do.

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 7:38 AM PST up reply actions

What about the pro-rated sal cap?

"Now your gunna get it Bobby" -Happy
Will Harris San Jose - Sacramento

by will_hunter23 on Feb 14, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

Mitchell & McLaren hold almost no value, Mitchell could be a ‘trhow in’ if salary needs to go the other way…the org. is pretty high on Petricki, he’d be moved for the right player but that would mean the team they are trading with want a big, stay at home d-man.

I’m guessing their 1st, both of their 2nds, Sexsmith, Heemskerk, Irwin, Ferriero, and for a top 6 non-rental Demers are all in play.

Likely, they’ll move one of their 2nds + a prospect.

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 7:41 AM PST up reply actions

I’m guessing their 1st, both of their 2nds, Sexsmith, Heemskerk, Irwin, Ferriero, and for a top 6 non-rental Demers are all in play.

This seems right. And with those assets, we really could get something useful…

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:44 AM PST up reply actions

Handzus and Mitchell IMO. A smart deadline acquisition wouldn’t necessarily need to cost one of those d-men. Look at what Chris Higgins cost the Canucks last year for example.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:14 PM PST up reply actions

Why do you think Handzus isn’t working out on the 3rd line for us? Age? He was brought in specifically to shore up our checking line and eat some PK minutes, and he’s consistently been on the wrong end of these stats.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Feb 13, 2012 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

I think age and a lack of speed are definitely issues but I’m still not entirely sure why he was brought in. Like you said, it was presumably to give the Sharks a checking line type center since that’s what Handzus has been his entire career but, since day one, Todd McLellan has always gone power-versus-power in his line matching. It doesn’t make sense to acquire Handzus, to me anyway, and have him play against other third lines. IMO even a player like Kyle Wellwood would be preferable in that role – someone with a history of driving results in soft minutes. I don’t want to say Zus has been miscast or misused because McLellan’s deployments have been spot-on…I just don’t think Handzus was much of a fit to begin with.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:22 PM PST up reply actions

Handzus

He’s a big guy who can muscle in front of the net. That was something that the Sharks lacked in the playoffs last year and I “assumed” that’s the reason I thought the Sharks picked him up. I think he’ll be great for the playoffs, but that’s just my opinion.

by Drumzan on Feb 14, 2012 7:26 AM PST up reply actions

What is your issue with Mitchell?

He might not be putting up the points but I think he is playing a sound game on both sides and doesn’t look overmatched out there.

by SanFranciscoKnights on Feb 13, 2012 10:29 PM PST up reply actions

Mitchell much less so than Handzus, although he’s had kind of a rough go of it as of late. I’d be perfectly fine with keeping him on the third line if they could find an upgrade on Zus.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:32 PM PST up reply actions

What Handzus has done to turn McGinn into the player he has become has been far more useful than anything he’s done on the ice for us this year. In that regard, its been a brilliant signing. I still would rather see Desjardins given those 3rd line minutes, and Handzus 4th line minutes…but not at the expense of breaking him up from McGinn, who seems to lose his mind a bit when put elsewhere. Maybe not as much lately, though.

I still think Mitchell’s spot is the most obvious upgradable spot on the team’s forward corps (I still believe we need a top 4 defender…but I appear to be alone in that train of thought)…he’s pretty much a useless waste of space out on the ice, and we really could use actual production out of that spot. I think Ferriero should be given a shot there, but McL seems to not like him very much. We will see…

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:49 AM PST up reply actions

No I agree

It would be nice to have a legit BAMF DFD with more speed than murray. Not saying Vlasic is not a BAMF but like a Vlasic Murray Hybrid.

by orneryeric on Feb 14, 2012 11:57 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, exactly. I mean, imagine if we could pair that new badass D man with Burns, a D of Boyle-Vlasic, BAMF-Burns, Murray-Braun is fucking legit as shit.

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

That would be unbelievably aswesome

by Cloweture on Feb 14, 2012 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

Out of curiousity...

Who is this D-man and what are the Sharks going to give up to get him?

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

Robyn Regehr.

Buffalo can include him in the trade for Gaustad.

by Briceratops on Feb 14, 2012 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

You only answered 1/2 the question.

Buffalo just traded for Regehr, he has another year on a $4mil contract and a NMC…they won’t give him away.

So, who do you trade for him? And please don’t say Murray because that’s at best a sideways move for them.

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 4:11 PM PST up reply actions

I was just kidding.

by Briceratops on Feb 14, 2012 4:17 PM PST up reply actions

Oh

Sorry, sarcasm detector is off w/ all the rediculous trade rumors I keep hearing.

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 4:19 PM PST up reply actions

Ryan Suter...

And a package built around Demers, Ferriero, Petrecki and a pick would be a good damn start.

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:04 PM PST up reply actions

YES PLEASE!!!

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

Although, to be honest

I think the salary realities of the Blue Line make this a near impossibility. Also, the bidding war for Suter is going to be nuts. And he’ll want term. We don’t give term. I am le sad…

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:06 PM PST up reply actions

I was hoping for some kind of realistic answer…

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 7:08 PM PST up reply actions

Ryan Suter is just as realistic as any of the other likely candidates

I’d say there’s a very small number of guys who might fit this sort of category. Off the top of my head:

Brent Seabrook
Dan Hamhuis
Niklas Kronwall
Willie Mitchell
Marc Staal
Hall Gill
Zdeno Chara
Anton Volchenkov

As you can see, they come in all types, and some are better than others. Ryan Suter is just as realistic as acquiring any of these guys.

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:17 PM PST up reply actions

Which is what? Zero chance…good to know those players are out there somewhere ‘cus i wasn’t sure if they existed.

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 7:20 PM PST up reply actions

Also..

I love how you snuck Gill and Mitchell in there!

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 7:21 PM PST up reply actions

Hal Gill

Is not a BAMF, he’s more of a lumbering ox that is good at getting in front of shots.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 15, 2012 12:10 AM PST up reply actions

It's as realistic as Nash...

The Sharks probably won’t make any real, substantive moves this trade deadline. But if I had my way, the Sharks would go after Suter, re-sign him this offseason for 5 years, and our blueline would be set for the rest of the decade.

Sadly, it won’t happen…but I think it’s our best shot at a Cup if we’re determined to stick with average at best goaltending…juice the defense.

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 9:00 PM PST up reply actions

Your reasoning aside

It’s not as realistic as Nash as Nash is actually available…Suter isn’t.

I don’t think the Sharks will add anything big either though.

by milanahalek on Feb 14, 2012 9:07 PM PST up reply actions

I completely agree with you zeroindulgence

Replacing Mitchell and a top 4 defenseman is what this team needs. I dream of having Suter join the team but it’s just not gonna happen. I think it’ll be easy for dw to upgrade from Mitchell if he’s finally ready to give up on him. As for a top 4 defenseman,I don’t think anything can be done without giving up too much. So I’m hoping Wilson can sign B. Stuart if he decides to become a UFA for what he makes now or a little bit of a discount to be with his family. I think Stuart/Boyle, Vlasic/Burns would be legit. Problem is dw would have to figure out how to get rid of Havlat and his 5 mil hit. But then there would be a hole in the top 6 six with only like 2.5 mil or so to cover it. Unless D.M also goes and they replace whoever pairs up with Braun? And I don’t know about doing that. Stupid injury prone Havlat and Handzus with his NMC.

"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 Feb 15, 2012 3:04 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Doesn’t put up a lot of points, has seen his short-handed time reduce to .65 minutes per 60, doesn’t help push the play in the right direction despite facing weak-ish competition…

by Briceratops on Feb 13, 2012 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

I dunno, I think Mitchell is having some of the same sorts of problems McGinn was having last season. Just not using his brain at near any time on the ice. He zips in with his speed, but doesn’t use that speed to push defenders back. He constantly makes poor decisions on where to go to create lanes for his partners to feed. When he has puck control he thinks the puck is a zombie that wants to bite him, and so gets rid of it regardless of where he throws it. Has no strength in puck control at all (resulting in the preceding zombie puck comment) despite the speed he can show to control and cycle, like what Marleau can do when he deigns to.

It all sums up as simply a player with speed that has no impact on the ice. He can be out there and outside of a couple decent stick pokes on the PK, he is a total ghost in any given game.

by VVhirlwind on Feb 14, 2012 4:03 AM PST up reply actions

This sounds like Mitchell every single year…ever. He’s just not a good hockey player. I, for one, will not be sad to see him go.

"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 14, 2012 7:40 AM PST up reply actions

He showed some scoring promise his first year. Then he broke his leg.

He still draws penalties, but that’s about the only time you notice him lately. He’s sort of like Sean Donovan: fast, but not strong on his skates, and unable to control the puck when he’s motoring.

Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon

by ievans on Feb 14, 2012 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

I'll invoke more blasphemy here

And say Douglas Murray is expendable… for the right deal.

Murray being expendable is prefaced on Jason Demers turning his game around and re-emerging as a top-4 Defenseman, something he has not consistently been this season in any way, shape or form. He’s gone from Brilliant to Blunder and right back again. If he can turn around, then our D looks like:

Burns-Vlasic
Boyle-Demers
Braun-White/Vandermeer

This also presumes Braun sticks this season, which looks likely as he’s generally trended upwards, and Jim Vandermeer stays steady enough to keep Colin White on the bench.

I think Murray is like Rehger was for Calgary a season or two ago insomuch as he still has some value and a reputation that will fetch us a reasonable return before his game goes south.

He is an absolute dominant physical force. He protects the puck along the boards better than anyone else on the blue-line. But he’s also slow, offensively irrelevant, and a bit mercurial.

It goes without saying that he brings a lot of tangibles and intangibles, but he’s not getting any younger, and I just don’t see him being the difference against the higher powered teams in the West. Demers and Braun COULD be, even if they haven’t consistently shown it yet.

Murray, to me, represents our best mix of value and expendibility liable to fetch us anyone relevant.

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:00 PM PST up reply actions

Demers and Boyle both play on the right side.

by Briceratops on Feb 14, 2012 7:43 PM PST up reply actions

Demers

Demers was acceptable when he switched to the left side to play with Braun earlier this season. Well, as acceptable as he has been this year.

by bezzerkker on Feb 14, 2012 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

I thought it was Braun that made the switch.

by Briceratops on Feb 14, 2012 11:38 PM PST up reply actions

You might be right about that.

There’s a 50/50 chance you are.

by bezzerkker on Feb 15, 2012 12:19 AM PST up reply actions

Any deal that moves a d-man and in turn moves any of Demers, White or Vandermeer into a top 4 role is a horrible idea!

White, though everyone thinks he sucks, is the best of the 3 this year but he’s best in that #6 role. Vandermeer is losing his battles against the worst the NHL has to offer and, even though I love Demers and have no interest in seeing him go anywhere, he’s been performing at an AHL level this year.

Like it or not, Murrray is a top 4 d-man and if he’s traded he needs to be replaced w/ a guy who can play his minutes against other teams 2nd line as well as LOTS of PK time.

by milanahalek on Feb 15, 2012 7:34 AM PST up reply actions

Saw this on reddit. Posting here for later use ...

by BadgerHeroes on Feb 13, 2012 10:06 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Helicopter line.

by PNK on Feb 14, 2012 8:35 AM PST up reply actions

Really dig the articles, Neutral. Nice work!

by Bearodactyls on Feb 13, 2012 10:17 PM PST reply actions

Thanks!

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

I can’t believe they didnt record a scoring chance for that long. Not a bad game though. Does anyone else feel like the St. Louis game might be a good way to start the trip? Seems like everyone’s fired up to play some dirty hockey.

by SnarkSD on Feb 13, 2012 10:30 PM PST reply actions

I agree, mostly because I think the Blues were their biggest challenge of the nine games so it’s good to get that out of the way early.

by The Neutral on Feb 13, 2012 10:34 PM PST up reply actions

Of course

The not winning against them this year is worrisome. But I assume you meant the schedule.

by warning on Feb 13, 2012 10:54 PM PST up reply actions

This team is awful

No ability to score on the power play whatsoever, they look like they just don’t care. They can’t move the puck, nobody fights to get in front of the net, we can’t kill penalties, our goalies are terrible. We’ll never even make the playoffs.

Whats that? We won a game? Unpossible, I was told with tons of supporting truthiness that this team is going to lose every single game until we don’t make the playoffs just yesterday and today was a back to back game.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 13, 2012 10:58 PM PST reply actions

prudent response: "welcome to san jose"!

Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI

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by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Feb 14, 2012 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

We pretty much have the Caps' number

That’s all I can say.

Proud to be a brony.

by yoshifan on Feb 13, 2012 11:08 PM PST reply actions

I hope they both make it to the SCF

What a present that would be.

by elsif1 on Feb 14, 2012 12:16 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah

Except the caps have no chance of making it to the SCF, sadly. But one can dream!

by warning on Feb 14, 2012 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

The Caps Number is 8

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Joe+Pavelski+Washington+Capitals+v+San+Jose+E1r7sIwq_5hl.jpg

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:02 PM PST up reply actions

oops

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.

by ElvisVF101 on Feb 14, 2012 7:02 PM PST up reply actions

The Sharks Capitalized (pun literally relevant)

Considering the imbalance of speed and skill in the Sharks starting lines, San Jose did well tonight to pick up the win.
I am impressed because this San Jose team cannot just half-show up and win on skill alone like the ridiculously stacked Detroits of the league – that illustrates the Sharks gave a full effort for this victory (with perhaps a hint of urgency?). As a fan of the Sharks, that is all I can ask for really.

Of course, Neutral is bang-on about the problems/issues enveloping the team, win or lose, but thankfully for tonight, well … two points is two points!

If somehow the defensive pairings can click more consistently and effectively, if Niemi can step up his game considerably down the stretch (at least steal some big games of which the Sharks had no business in winning otherwise), and if Doug Wilson can somehow make a spectacularly slick move to bolster the thinned-out depth of our starting forwards… well, I guess anything is possible once a team makes the playoffs.

Okay that is all the positivity I can muster for now – however, if the Sharks lose their next game, then fire everyone and move the team to Oakland and call them the… seals? Along with God-awful ugly green and yellow uniforms or something of that nature…

In case it was not obvious, I am just kidding around – about the Oakland thing heh.
One of the things I remember when the Sharks first entered the league, and they had terrible stretches of losing like, what, 75 percent of their games for the season? Crowds still filled the Shark Tank to capacity, and they seemed like fun, classy fans (Flyers fans were beating up Santa, Montreal fans were rioting over a Cup win?, anyway, you get the point). At any rate, I paid attention, and this northern Californian city with its cool teal uniform and beautiful weather/scenery was actually succeeding at generating interest in hockey. I became a fan amidst the general curiosity surrounding this franchise. That is only part of the story, but I realize I am being completely irrelevant to the topic of the article and posts at this point, I truly apologize… okay, everyone have a good night!

by Deep Waters on Feb 14, 2012 12:25 AM PST reply actions

A Win, But Not That Impressive

Don’t get me wrong. I loved the win. I love to see us potting five goals to see my players boost their stats (uh-oh, Couture is deserving of a huge raise, but keep it going man!), and I know 2-3 Caps goals were complete softies. However, I think it is really important to note that the Caps were playing without two of their very top players (not a Havlat-Demers equivalent). Backstrom, their only real puck moving/controlling center (Laich is a great third line center on the second line), was missing from the game and it was very apparent his impact was absent.

Green, their best offensive defensemen and great puck handler (Alzner taking first place for defensive-defensemen) was also missing.

It’s difficult to make a decisive evaluation about the Sharks’ play in this game. On the one hand, they were demolished in the possession battle by a team that’s been absolutely dreadful at controlling the play at even strength since coach Dale Hunter’s arrival.

I think the fact that two of their best puck handling players were missing from the game and THEY STILL had more puck possession than us, should be a tad alarming. I guess alarming is a bit dramatic, just, should not be overlooked. On a positive note, our special teams were(was?) awesome and I really loved to see that win while watching the game with my friend who is a Caps fan.

by Cloweture on Feb 14, 2012 10:02 AM PST reply actions

Teams that are losing usually do

And they were losing most of the game. When you’re losing you take more chances to keep the puck in the zone, your defense pinches up instead of backing off, meaning you don’t give up control, of course it can backfire and turn into rushes, which turned into a total of 4 more goals for us.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Feb 15, 2012 12:14 AM PST up reply actions

Good point! Ty.

by Cloweture on Feb 15, 2012 8:44 AM PST up reply actions

i'm still drunk from last night and I didn't drink last night

Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI

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

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Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0

by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Feb 14, 2012 12:30 PM PST reply actions

Logan Couture: 23 goals, 23 assists
Patrick Marleau: 22 goals, 22 assists
Joe Pavelski: 22 goals, 22 assists

IS IT A SIGN!?!?

by Briceratops on Feb 14, 2012 1:00 PM PST reply actions

THEY'RE GONNA BE TRADED!?!?!?

Wait… what sign were you talking about….

Randy Hahn - "The Man With The Big Butt - Patrick Marleau - we like him and we cannot lie..."
Proud fan of the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2011)

by sharkzfan on Feb 14, 2012 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

They have all played 54 games too!

This can’t be a coincidence!!!

Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
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by idunno723 on Feb 14, 2012 4:40 PM PST up reply actions