Sharks vs. Wild: By the numbers
A look at the numbers behind the Sharks' 2-0 loss to Minnesota.
- As with last Monday's game against Anaheim, it's difficult to read too much into the aggregate numbers here given the circumstances of the third period. Minnesota, like every team in the league, was content to sit on their two-goal lead and allowed the Sharks to dictate play for the final twenty minutes, resulting in shots and chances.
- It's mostly because they rarely saw the ice in that third period (particularly the fourth line) but another disappointing game from the bottom six. Apart from the Desjardins penalty shot and a Galiardi chance in the third off a nice forecheck, they combined to generate nothing offensively.
- The numbers for Murray and Stuart look okay until you realize they started 9 shifts in the offensive zone and just 2 in their own end, a much easier deployment than either of the other two defense pairings. It's making less sense by the game why the coaching staff insists on keeping these two together.
- Again, it's largely courtesy that third period, but some comically good numbers for the top line. Brent Burns has been incredibly effective as a forward and now leads the team in even-strength shot differential (albeit while starting nearly 60% of his shifts in the offensive zone)./