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The Sharks played another solid sixty minutes while convincingly beating their division rivals the Dallas Stars 5-2.
If you watched the game and afterwards were thinking that’s the way they are supposed to play…your right. The Sharks were not flashy but efficient defensively, special teams were great even though a goal was scored against, and the Stars scoring chances were about the same as making good time on the interstates of the Bay area during rush hour.
Coach McLellan also agreed “For the most part we were pretty happy with the effort. The execution was pretty good, the power play got us two, and I even thought our penalty kill did a good job.”
The Stars came into San Jose after beating the Ducks in Anaheim 6-2 last night. The Ducks are the only team Dallas have beat in 2012 and the Stars record on the second night of back to back games this year is awful.
Tonight was the third meeting of the season against the Stars and in the two previous games the Sharks won handily 5-2 and 4-1. Both previous games were chippy affairs with the ultimate antagonizer Steve Ott leading the way for Dallas, however tonight even he was quiet.
In the previous 17 games the Stars had played here at the Tank they were 11-5-2, but after tonight I think it is safe to say that the Sharks have their number and after two losses at the Tank this can’t be a building that they look forward to visiting.
Thomas Greiss got the start tonight for the injured Antti Niemi. Niemi was injured in practice on Wednesday and the story is that he took a puck in a sensitive area. Tyson Sexsmith was called up from Worcester to back-up Greiss.
Ryane Clowe also made his return tonight after missing six games with a facial injury. He wore a half visor which isn’t quite his style but it’s better than watching from the press box.
Clowe was asked about wearing a visor instead of a cage like he did last time he played “It wasn’t too bad. It felt pretty comfortable right away it was a lot more convenient than wearing a cage. I felt like I could see a little better.”
The Sharks did a great job tonight of keeping momentum on their side. The only real life that the Stars had was a power play goal that Steve Ott was credited with, even though Dan Boyle was the one who swept the puck into his own net. That goal broke a San Jose Sharks shut-out streak of just over 190 minutes that started against the Edmonton Oilers in a game they lost 2-1 in a shoot-out.
Dallas had a difficult time getting through the neutral zone which makes for a frustrating night. San Jose suffocated the Stars break-out and didn’t give up an odd man rush in the game. They did such a good job of taking care of their own end that the Stars recorded only 11 shots on net after two periods.
This is the second game in a row that the Sharks have dominated their opponent and instead of saying that the other team didn’t play well it is time to agree that the Sharks have had their mojo going the last few games.
The next three games will be a great test for them and will challenge my theory that the Sharks recent success is a result of this team rounding into form versus subpar performances from their opponents. The Sharks travel to Phoenix over the week-end, then return home to host the Calgary Flames and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Scoring details
1st Period
SJ – 4:42 –EV – 26 M.Handzus(5) – assists – 88 B.Burns(11), 64 J.McGinn(9)
SJ – 16:32 –PP – 8 J.Pavelski(19) – assists – 19 J.Thornton(32), 12 P.Marleau(20)
2nd Period
Dal – 12:41 –PP – 29 S.Ott(8) – unassisted
SJ – 14:59 –PP – 39 L.Couture(22) – assists – 88 B.Burns(12), 12 P.Marleau(21)
SJ – 16:43 –EV – 19 J.Thornton(11) – assist – 8 J.Pavelski(19)
3rd Period
Dal - 6:22 –EV – 14 J.Benn(15) – assists – 36 P.Larsen(4), 29 S.Ott(16)
SJ – 11:34 –EV – 29 R.Clowe(10) – assists – 39 L.Couture(18), 88 B.Burns(13)
The turning point in tonight’s game was the first two goals the Sharks scored. Both goals were tipped in. Handzus got a piece of the first one and a Star got a piece of Pavelski’s goal. Deflection goals are deflating because as a team you can do everything right defensively and still get scored on.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Brent Burns – is the game’s first contender of the game. He found the score sheet with three assists and is looking better as a Shark every game.
Sharks coaching staff – get a favorable nod for keeping Patrick Marleau on the Couture line even though Clowe suited up tonight. The top line was still a factor and the second line will benefit from Patties wheels.
Ryane Clowe – finds his way on the list for scoring a goal and an assist his first night back from injury. He did it all while wearing a visor which is by no mean Clowe’s style.
Sharks center men – finished the night winning nearly 80% of the draws and as a result San Jose controlled the play most of the night. It is never any fun chasing the puck and tonight the Sharks dominated puck possession.
Pretenders
The Stars intensity – was lacking in a big way. They didn’t come to play tonight and are now 0-8-1 on the second game of playing back to back days.
Coach Glen Gulutzan spoke about the game afterwards “We didn’t win any battles starting in the face-off circle to the corner. I thought we were chasing it, we were a step behind tonight.”
Thomas Greiss – got the win but was shaky all night. His rebound control was spotty. Fortunately for him his team in front of him played a sound defensive game giving up a mere 21 shots. Thomas was a pretender tonight.
Dan Boyle – is only on this list because he scored on his own net breaking the franchise record for shut-out minutes.
Next for the Sharks and their dads, who are currently enjoying the father son trip is the Phoenix Coyotes for a Saturday night game against the Coyotes.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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