- Sharks had a +17 edge in shot differential and +9 edge in scoring chances heading into the third period but were predictably content to sit back for much of the frame as the Coyotes threw pucks at Niemi from all over the ice, including some from the scoring area.
- It was clearly the Couture and Pavelski lines driving the bus last night, with Marleau/Couture/Havlat in particular having an incredibly effective game at generating scoring opportunities after being unable to turn zone time into quality attempts at a high enough clip in Dallas.
- When together, the line of Pavelski, Raffi Torres and Tommy Wingels started just three shifts in the offensive zone and seven in their own end yet still managed to finish solidly in the black for scoring chances. By eye, it seems like Wingels’ ever-improving ability to exit the defensive zone with possession of the puck accounts for a lot of this. If he’s the long-term Ryane Clowe replacement, as some suggested during the time of that trade, he’s encouragingly the polar opposite of Clowe in zone exits.
- They haven’t been the unmitigated disaster they were when combined earlier in the season but Desjardins/Gomez/Burish doesn’t really add anything of value as a line, especially compared to what that same group including Sheppard in place of Burish brought during the early stages of the homestand.
- Stuart/Demers seems to have a tendency to run hot and cold as a pairing but they were burning up last night. I thought Stuart in particular had one of his better games of the season./
As many of you know, Fear the Fin is an independent site run by Sharks fans for Sharks fans. Help keep Fear the Fin independent by contributing to our GoFundMe or buying merchandise. Proceeds help us pay our writers and fund subscriptions to our favorite analytics sites.
Looking for an easy way to support FearTheFin? Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch this holiday season!
LOGIN
SIGN UP