Sharks Gameday: Sharks look for third win in a row and third win over Stars
by Jon Allred on Feb 2, 2012 3:00 AM PST
in Sharks Game Previews
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| 26-21-2, 54 points | 28-14-6, 62 points | |
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3rd in Western Conference |
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Defending Big DRazor With An Edge |
Coming off their 6-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at HP Pavilion Tuesday night, the San Jose Sharks will look to defeat the visiting Dallas Stars for the third time this season and extend their winning streak to three games.
With 14 games scheduled in the month of February, including a nine game road trip from Feb. 12 - Feb. 26, tonight's game will be one of four home games the Sharks get to enjoy in February.
Back on Dec. 9, 2011, the Sharks defeated the Stars 5-2 at HP Pavilion thanks to second period goals by Ryane Clowe, Brad Winchester and Torrey Mitchell in a six-minute span. In the two meetings this season, the Sharks have outscored the Stars 9-3.
Antti Niemi, who has been in net for both games against the Stars this season, had 18 saves on 20 shots in the last meeting. For his career against the Stars, Niemi is 6-2 with a 2.24 goals against average and .923 save percentage.
Surprisingly, Thomas Greiss has never started against the Stars. In his career, Greiss has played 52 minutes against the Stars in two relief appearances, stopping 18-of-22 shots for a 4.60 goals against average and .818 save percentage.
Scoring wise, All-Star Logan Couture, who scored a goal last meeting, has seven goals in 10 career games against the Stars while Sharks captain Joe Thornton has 51 points {14-37-51} in 51 career games against the Stars.
David Pollak {@PollakonSharks} confirmed Wednesday afternoon on twitter that defenseman Jason Demers will not play against the Stars as the result of his lower body injury while Clowe will be a game-time decision.
Coming off a 6-2 road victory over the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday night, the Stars are currently one point out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and eight points behind the Sharks for first place in the Pacific Division.
The Stars come into tonight's game confident they can make a strong push for their first playoff birth in four seasons due to having Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro and Jamie Benn back together on the ice as the trio has combined for 32 goals this season.
Kari Lehtonen was in net for the Stars Wednesday night, stopping 33-of-35 shots. Should Lehtonen get the start Thursday night, Lehtonen is 3-4-1 in eight career games against the Sharks with a 3.69 goals against average and .905 save percentage.
Backup goalie Richard Bachman has never started against the Sharks but did play the entire third period in relief of Lehtonen last meeting, stopping all 11 shots he faced.
Prediction: Sharks win a 6-4 shootout with goals from Couture, Thornton, Winchester, Dan Boyle, Justin Braun and Jamie McGinn.
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So I’m in Santa Clara, wide awake thanks to my jetlag, but oh so excited about being at the Tank for this one tonight.
If you notice a slightly drunk, likely yawning, British guy in a Couture jersey in section 211 come and say hi, because that’ll be me.
Go Sharks!
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
"I flew 5,000 miles for this?"
And if you want more of this kind of thing, I'm spouting nonsense on Twitter too...
by BritShark on Feb 2, 2012 5:53 AM PST via Android app reply actions
Oh shit, you're in 211?
That’s where my season tickets are! I sit dead center of the section (row 9, seat 10). I’ll have to keep an eye out for ya!
"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 Feb 2, 2012 8:24 AM PST up reply actions
We’re in row 13 so not so far away, looking forward to seeing my first Sharks win in person!
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
"I flew 5,000 miles for this?"
And if you want more of this kind of thing, I'm spouting nonsense on Twitter too...
We should see a win.
Dallas used Kari Lehtonen last night so I’m thinking we will get Raycroft or Bachmann in the net.
Raycroft is in the minors as far as I know, and the Sharks haven’t done to well against backups…
by JBarrow on Feb 2, 2012 9:56 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
How long will you be here?
We should definitely do pizza!
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.
Here until February 15 and would be down with some kind of pizza/beer action. The Hawks game a week tomorrow looks good to me if anyone’s interested in getting together. Thinking about it, I’m pretty sure Plank and TCY owe me a beer from my prize in the 2010 Night at The Tank raffle!
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
"I flew 5,000 miles for this?"
And if you want more of this kind of thing, I'm spouting nonsense on Twitter too...
I’ve added my (very old school) email address to my profile in case you want to hit me up with an idea for catching a game at a bar/pizza place. If we get a plan together we can always get a fan post up to spread the word.
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
"I flew 5,000 miles for this?"
And if you want more of this kind of thing, I'm spouting nonsense on Twitter too...
Lets make it 3
Would love to get a 3rd win… especially the hated Stars.
Sharks win 4-2. Goals by Boyle, Vlasic, Marleau, and Ferriero. Thornton kicks the daylights out of Steve Ott and all is right with the world.
Waiting for the Cup to come to SJ since 1991...
GO SHARKS!
Find me on Twitter @njahoda
Greiss is starting tonight
Niemi got hurt at practice yesterday, so he’s out – Sexsmith has been recalled to back up.
apparently Niitty will be sent to Worcester, I wonder if he’s going to accept the assignment.
Hoping for the Sharks to jump on the Stars early since they played last night.
lol at marleau’s face in that pic
"In football, I root for the Oakland Raiders because they hire castoffs, outlaws, malcontents, and f*ck -ups, they have lots of penalties, fights, and paybacks, and because Al Davis told the rest of the pig NFL owners to go get f*cked... Someday, the Raiders will be strong again, and they will dip the ball in **** and shove it down the throats of the wholesome, white, heartland teams that pray together and don't deliver late hits"
– George Carlin
"I'll do anything to score a touchdown. And I'm not afraid like some people, their afraid to call those plays. I'm not. That's the way I like to live my life, I like to live on the edge. And that's the way it is, and that's the way it's gon' be."
-Hue Jackson
Pollak said that he was told it wasn’t serious…but who knows w/ the Sharks, they’re not exactly forward with anything.
And Nitty is headed to Worcester
Back up to San Jose after this weekend after playing a game, if Niemi’s still out? Yet another wrinkle to that little drama (though a very tiny wrinkle, I hope, easily steamed right out).
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
Niitty
He won’t be putting on a Sharks NHL sweater again – if they were planning to use him it would be tonight, the fact they recalled Sexsmith says they’re pretty much done w/ him.
He said
That his quotes were lost in translation. I dont blame him for being annoyed but at the same time he was hurt and it was what it was. Not like it was the Sharks fault
I had no problem with what he said.
he had a right to be annoyed, but it is what it is. this sport is a business. it’s also a competitive sport. not, hooray everyone’s a winner, let’s let everyone play an equal amount of time.
things didn’t work out. the Sharks need to do what they think best and Nitty can be upset with that.
i wish him the best.
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 Feb 2, 2012 2:27 PM PST up reply actions
Greiss will have to "stand on his head"
and “steal a game” for the Sharks.
I think he’ll be up to the task. I hope.
If he gets pulled, then Sexsmith will pull a Stalock-like performance FTW.
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
Going to the game tonight
Hoping for another thriller against dallas, if the new alignment ends up going through later on I will miss these games.
by slotownsharksfan on Feb 2, 2012 9:41 AM PST reply actions
x
if the new alignment ends up going through later on I will miss these games.
Me too.
by DFWTrojanTuba on Feb 2, 2012 12:09 PM PST up reply actions
Anyone know of a good place in SF to watch the game?
Preferably some place with good food?
Pretty big game...
With Dallas and L.A. both winning last night, it is the Sharks’ turn to keep pace. It would be a very beneficial win for San Jose tonight, taking advantage of the three games in hand against L.A., and hopefully regain the four point cushion over the Kings. Also, the picture could look very different concerning the Dallas Stars after tonight; the Stars could potentially claw back to a more optimistic six point deficit, or the Sharks could keep them at a more ominous ten point gap. Tonight could potentially shape how the Pacific division transpires by year’s end.
Needless to say, acquiring points against division rivals on home ice is extremely vital, considering the sickening road trip upcoming for the Sharks. Seriously, does every NHL team go through such terrible scheduling stretches to the extent that San Jose must incur, or is it because they are a team from California who must accommodate matches for popular eastern seaboard-area teams? I happen to live in Toronto, and I do not think the Leafs ever go through a stretch as grueling as the Sharks need to play through this February. In fact, it is always the Sharks who are required to travel to Toronto in recent years to play their match, never vice versa.
Anyway, just curious if the schedulers are in fact being particularly brutal to the Sharks or does every team get such horrid treatment at some point in the year, like the nine road games in fifteen days with three back-to-back games, and a couple three games in four nights cruelly integrated within. Anyone have any opinions on this?
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?
It's because of an indoor Tennis tournament, I believe.
There’s something in Chicago (Circus?) that explains why the Blackhawks always seem to find their way to San Jose and the rest of their west coast road trip around Thanksgiving, for example.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
Yep
SAP Open tennis tournament is at HP Pavillion every February.
by HeatersLeadingLady on Feb 2, 2012 1:53 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Crap!
Demers is on IR per http://sharks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=614936…
I can’t remember a seaason with this many injury’s. It can only boad well if we keep winning!
"Now your gunna get it Bobby" -Happy
Will Harris San Jose - Sacramento
There was no other season with this many injuries
Because 2009 NEVER HAPPENED!
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.
This, exactly ^^^^
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
Damn lockouts
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
For awhile there
I thought sbnation and all of the blogs were taken down. atdhenet and firstrow were siezed
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
We're back!
And just an FYI SBN has a twitter account for when there are issues.
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator and Recap Specialist !!
The timing was terrible
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
Hey there folks.
Checking…I’m not sure, but I’m thinking it’s Bachmann in net tonight…
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 6:36 PM PST reply actions
So ahem…
Boy, the Stars huh?…. the Sharks never play well against them. Poopsicles.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
On the other hand, being a Dallas fan...
…I know well enough that we SUCK on the second night of a back to back.
If there were any team we’d buck that trend against, though, the Sharks would be the least surprising team to do so against.
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
Yep...we suck on the second half of back to backs
Don’t think we’ve won one all year. It was nice to catch Anaheim on the second half of one last night, so I’m not complaining.
You're still hanging on though
to the 8th spot in the West.
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
Correction, 9th as of right now.
One point behind Minny, but with a game in hand. Though we finally got everyone healthy over the break, so we’re in position to make a good push.
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
In reality
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
The games in hand could come in "handy"
if we win them. It’s a little scary to be on the outside right now, and we haven’t even played Vancouver yet.
Ah.
Magic Number analysis is so enlightening. This fella Tsudbury does such posts at Defending Big D, he knows his stuff.
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
Technically
it all comes down to winning percentage, since all of the teams haven’t played an equal number of games.
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
"Something's gotta give." --Drew Remenda (mumbled under breath on the air)
Yep.
It’s enough to make you wish the NHL would scrap the point system in favor of NBA style points percentage.
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
Question...
Are folks here still a bit twitchy about playing against AHL goalies? ’Cause Bachmann is getting the start tonight.
Then again, so is the Shark’s backup, right? Was he called up this year?
I’m beginning to think these guys play lights out under that instance thanks to adrenaline, and that’s what makes their first few starts lights out before they come back down to earth a bit.
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 7:02 PM PST reply actions
Greiss has been around for awhile. Though he has been known to play like a squirrel on methamphetamines, or something like that.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
It happenned for us way back when we first started Roman Turek...
…it was at Detroit, and I remember Razor commenting back on it, saying, “It was like he didn’t know you were supposed to go into the Joe and lose…”
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Feb 2, 2012 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
And here...we...go.
Should be good tonight!
Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be they name.
by ex_seraphim (Angelou del Angel) on Feb 2, 2012 7:36 PM PST reply actions
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