Sharks vs. Oilers: By the numbers
A look at the numbers behind the Sharks' 4-3 shootout win over Edmonton.
- Not the greatest night for that new-look second line at even-strength as they were outshot and outchanced by a fair margin but they were also tasked with playing really tough minutes. Couture in particular started nearly 80% of his shifts in the defensive zone last night and he, Pavelski and Havlat (when not in the box) saw a ton of Paajarvi, Gagner and Yakupov.
- What deploying the Pavelski line in their own end allowed Todd McLellan to do was zonally shelter Marleau, Thornton and Burns who killed it in this game and especially in the third period, handily winning their matchup against Hall/Horcoff/Hemsky. Since being converted to forward, Burns is now +44 in shot differential and +11 in chances at even-strength.
- I'm glad I wrote that Irwin post when I did because he had one of his worse outings of the year last night; the chance numbers likely flatter his performance. His decision-making in his own end and initiating transition was off but he'll probably rebound in Minnesota./