- For once, the Sharks were on the favorable side of the score effects ledger. They led by multiple goals for a substantial chunk of the game and were content to cede territory to the Ducks, although that strategy nearly backfired. Corsi makes this one look quite a bit more lopsided than it actually was as the Sharks blocked about 35% of the Ducks’ 5v5 shot attempts while Anaheim blocked just 10% of San Jose’s. In terms of mere shots on goal, the numbers were 32-24 in favor of the Sharks and the scoring chances followed suit.
- Speaking of shots on goal, with Martin Havlat on the ice the Sharks outshot the Ducks 14-3 during 5v5 play last night, with three of those shots beating Viktor Fasth. As was the case around this time last year, Havlat has looked terrific since returning from his latest injury. We’ll see if it lasts.
- The new third line was great as well. They started twice as many shifts in their own end as the offensive zone and still came out ahead in the scoring chance battle.
- Desjardins/Gomez/Burish doesn’t work. It didn’t work earlier in the season and it certainly didn’t work last night, although some of that was because Boudreau knows what he’s doing and was able to sneak Getzlaf and Perry on the ice against them for a few shifts.
- Uncharacteristically rough game for the Vlasic/Demers pairing. They’ll likely rebound but I wonder if reuniting Vlasic and Boyle and deploying them exclusively as a shutdown tandem will be a strategy the coaching staff turns to during this upcoming homestand./
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