Sharks vs. Stars: By the numbers

• I’m not entirely sure how much of the gaudy shot and chance differentials can be chalked up to score effects considering the Sharks were territorially dominant throughout the game but the Stars certainly collapsed into a defensive shell for much of the third period, relying on Kari Lehtonen to hang on for dear life. He was excellent but the Sharks were finally able to break through.
• It was encouraging to see the Hannan/Stuart pairing split for the third period although it remains an open question as to whether that was Todd McLellan attempting to generate offense (as with the placement of Pavelski on the top line, which certainly isn’t a long-term move) or recognizing the glaring flaws in pairing his two slowest, most offensively challenged and least mobile defensemen.
• It’s always exciting to see Dan Boyle unleashed late in games when the Sharks are desperate for a goal. He and Pavelski were dominant in the third period.
• Sort of a bizarre game for the Couture line. They drew Jamie Benn for much of the night, started nine 5v5 shifts in the defensive zone and spent a lot of the game trapped in their own end (hence all of Couture’s blocked shots). However, they did manage to keep Dallas’ top guns largely to the outside with Benn and Eriksson’s only real chances against them coming off unforced turnovers or poor plays at the offensive blueline./

Speaking of bizarre games, this version of the fourth line had arguably their best game ever as a trio. Either looking to sneak Jumbo on against even crappier competition or liking what he saw on the Desjardins goal against Columbus, McLellan threw Thornton on the ice at the end of the second period alongside Desi and Burish and they created two glorious chances to tie the game. If that line can keep humming along at a similar run rate, the Sharks will be a dangerous team for whoever draws them in the first round. Would be nice if Jason Demers gets healthy in time for that too.