The Sharks have now lost a season high four straight games after Columbus double up on San Jose 6-3.
The road woes continue for San Jose and they still have three more games before they return to the confines of the HP Pavilion. The game against St. Louis aside the Sharks have been in every game and had a chance at coming back, until tonight. They found themselves down 4-0 at the end of the first period and this against a struggling team in the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The first goal of the game was a sign of things to come in tonight’s game when two Sharks left R.J Umberger alone in front of the net and made it easy for him to light the lamp. Things came easy for the Blue Jackets all night long.
It is clear that the Sharks are skating and putting an effort forward but they aren’t doing it as a cohesive unit and they haven’t been on the same page. They have been working hard, not smart.
When you looked at this road trip I’m sure everybody thought that the stop in Columbus would be a gimme game for the Sharks but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Coach McLellan looked saddened while answering questions in the post-game presser “The disappointing thing for me is the lack of urgency that we entered the game with. Right now we should be a desperate team.
“I think there were guys who came to play but just not enough of them. Some guys have been missing in action here for a little while and they have to find their game pretty quick.
“I don’t know if some guys really understand where we are in the season and how the season is dwindling quickly. You can’t just come to the rink and wear a jersey; you have to find a way to contribute.”
A loss like this to the last place team in the NHL raises many questions for the Sharks. The first one that comes to mind is after Niemi’s poor outing against Detroit and Greiss’s success versus the Blue Jackets why did Coach McLellan come back with Niemi. He hasn’t played well on this road trip and appears to be mentally anywhere except in the game.
The next questioned is a loaded one but what has happened to San Jose’s goaltending and is it a case where they should be looking to make changes. If that is the situation, who can they get, what would they have to give up and it is doubtful that they have been scouting any goalies as they feel there is no need for a change at that position.
Should the Sharks bring Antero Niittymaki back and give him a chance. If they are desperate enough we may see the Finn back with the Sharks, if the goaltending remains the same they will have nothing to lose.
The next question is who gets the start in Toronto on Thursday night. Both goalies gave up three but Greiss did look better and more confident than Niemi.
Scoring details
1st Period
CLB – 4:55 –EV – 18 R.Umberger(10) – assists – 14 G.Clitsome(10), 16 D.Brassard(14)
CLB – 6:51 –PP – 7 J.Carter(13) – assists – 22 V.Prospal(26), 17 M.Letestu(8)
CLB – 15:18 –EV – 61 R.Nash(20) – assists – 16 D.Brassard(15), 18 R.Umberger(15)
CLB – 19:30 –PP – 7 J.Carter(14) – assists – 22 V.Prospal(27), 58 D.Savard(7)
2nd Period
SJ – 5:11 –EV – 19 J.Thornton(13) – assists – 5 C.White(3), 69 A.Desjardins(10)
SJ – 5:37 –EV – 39 L.Couture( 26) – assists – 26 M.Handzus(16), 61 J.Braun(7)
CLB – 10:59 –PP – 58 D.Savard(2) – assists – 6 N.Nikitin(17), 50 A.Vermette(19)
3rd Period
CLB – 1:26 –EV – 7 J.Carter(15) – assists – 61 R.Nash(22), 22 V.Prospal(28)
SJ – 8:34 –PP – 39 L.Couture(27) – assists – 8 J.Pavelski(24), 22 D.Boyle(29)
The turning point in this game was the Clowe double minor that resulted in a Blue Jackets powerplay goal. The Sharks killed the first one but not the second. That made it 5-2 and zapped the momentum the Sharks had created by scoring two goals 0:26 apart early in the second period.
It was a weak call on Clowe and he had a right to be mad at the minor. The official who penalized the Sharks must have been a little sensitive tonight because kids get away with what Clowe did in pee wee hockey all the time. The lack of control when it came to his temper is the penalty that cost them.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Jeff Carter – led his team tonight with a hat trick, he is the game’s first contender.
Logan Couture – was a bright spot for his team tonight scoring two goals and his consistency for a young player is uncanny. Take note to all the high paid guys who have been absent lately.
Rick Nash – had a goal and an assist and sacrificed a goal so Carter could finish the trick. An unselfish move by Nash that has landed him on the contender’s list.
Pretenders
Antti Niemi – once again didn’t look like an NHL goalie who wants to win hockey games. Three goals on 11 shots and two that he saw without a screen is what makes him the game’s first pretender.
Ryane Clowe - was in the box three times tonight and twice the Blue Jackets scored. Clowe gets some leeway when it comes to penalties because he sticks up for his mates but the tonight his temper cost them more than it helped.
Sharks coaching staff – are on the list for starting Niemi over Greiss. Greiss has played well against Columbus and won both of his previous games against the Blue Jackets. It is important when your number one guy is not feeling it to come back with him and show that you still have confidence in him, but this start should have gone to Greiss
The Sharks move on to Toronto to face the Leafs who should be desperate as they currently sit in 8th spot in the east, and have a few teams in the rearview mirror trying to chase them down.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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