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Sharks and Coyotes give us a preview of playoff hockey

March 25, 2012, 2:57 AM ET [7 Comments]
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The San Jose Sharks entertained the home town fans in a drama filled game that needed a shoot-out to decide a winner. The Sharks prevailed 4-3 with shoot-out goals from Michal Handzus and Ryane Clowe in a game that saw four lead changes.

It was a game that had a playoff feel to it as both teams are currently battling for a spot in the post-season dance. The Sharks have quietly turned things around winning two in a row and four their last six games.

The home side made some mistakes that cost them against the Coyotes but the intensity was there for most of the game and all four forward lines played solid. The Thornton line got things going again just a minute and a half after Phoenix opened the scoring and Jumbo had his legs going again as he did on Saturday.

“That’s Phoenix, they make you pay for your mistakes” said coach McLellan after the game. “Maybe because of the intensity the mistakes were made. For the most part the guys brought their work ethic to the rink.”


The third and fourth lines were a real surprise and seem to be playing with more confidence. The additions of Dominic Moore and Daniel Winnik are beginning to pay off. Winnik scored in his second straight game and the third line didn’t score but they created plenty of momentum and drew penalties.

Daniel Winnik was asked about how he felt his line played against Phoenix “I think we were working real well, we try to create speed and puck possession. As much as we can we are feeding off of each other it’s working right now.”

The Sharks have been loading up there top power play unit by moving Logan Couture the second line center to the top unit and slide Joe Pavelski back to the point. That leaves an opportunity for someone to step up on the second unit, and against Phoenix Tommy Wingels filled that role. Wingels regular shift comes on the fourth line but he has played so well there that he earned his time with the man advantage. Wingels has showed great jump since returning from injury and his physical play has been hard to miss. Great move by the coaching staff adding some needed spirit to the power play.

There has been a lot made about shifts after goals concerning the San Jose Sharks. Last game against the Bruins they did a great job in that department and they continued to do the same against Phoenix. Excluding the shift after the goal that Phoenix scored at the end of the period and then again to start the second period when they scored again.

The Sharks showed a lot of character on Saturday in a game that saw the lead change twice by the end of the middle frame and a game that saw the Coyotes net three goals on nine shots.

It can be pretty discouraging looking up at the shot clock and seeing those stats. The goaltending hasn’t been a strong point for the Sharks this season and for a while it looked as though Niemi was going to have another absent minded night. In the end though he played pretty well and earned his paycheck by stopping both Phoenix shooters in the shoot-out.

This game took a turn to the physical side of things in the second half with some big hits and bodies flying. The physicality also came in an unconventional way. Ryane Clowe took a slap shot to the head in the second period and missed the remainder while getting checked out by the training staff. In the third period Rostislav Klesla took a Patrick Marleau skate just above his right eye. It was great to see both Clowe and Klesla return.

Patrick Marleau got off the scoring schnied by scoring his first goal in fourteen games. It was a fantastic take-away by Joe Thornton inside the Coyotes zone and then an unselfish pass to Marleau who was driving the net. Marleau took the pass and had the shot off his stick through the five hole before Phoenix goalie Mike Smith could get settled. Patty had his wheels going Saturday and the number of scoring opportunities he had increased significantly as a result.

The Coyotes were without the services of their captain Shane Doan who served the second game of a three game suspension for an elbow to the head of Dallas Stars’ forward Jamie Benn. Doan has been the model of consistency in Phoenix on the scoreboard and as a leader in the room.

Scoring details

1st Period

PHX – 6:31 –EV – 22 D.Langkow(11) – assist – 8 G.Brule(9)

SJ – 8:09 –EV – 12 P.Marleau(28) – assist – 19 J.Thornton(54)

SJ – 17:28 –EV – 88 B.Burns(11) – assists – 8 J.Pavelski(27), 19 J.Thornton(55)

PHX – 19:59 –EV – 53 D.Morris(2) – assist – 22 D.Langkow(17)

2nd Period

PHX – 0:49 –EV – 28 L.Korpikoski(17) – assist – 13 R.Whitney(48)

SJ – 5:01 –EV – 34 D.Winnik(7) – assists – 69 A.Desjardins(12), 57 T.Wingels(5)

3rd Period

No scoring

Overtime

No scoring

Shoot-out

26 Michal Handzus

The turning point in this game was the Daniel Winnik goal. The Sharks were scored on to end the first period…literally with 0.5 seconds left on the clock and then again the first minute into the second. That kind of momentum swing can ruin a team’s game but the Sharks aren’t as mentally fragile as they were two weeks ago and they have earned that right by playing good hockey and with some good results.

Contenders & Pretenders

Contenders

The Thornton line – were great Saturday night and are the game’s first contenders. They have played like the leaders they are. They have scored the team’s opening goal the last few games and had plenty of jump in their legs.

Daniel Winnik – makes the list again but only because he deserves it. Winnik is looking more and more comfortable with each shift and the contributions on the score sheet are welcomed.

The Coyotes penalty kill – was great against a potent power play. They didn’t give up many shots on Mike Smith and made playing a man short look easy.

Pretenders

The power play – is on the top of the list after this game. They had five opportunities to score or at least create some momentum but failed to do so. The number of chances was minimal and the puck movement was kept to the outside. Credit to the Yotes PK, but it was still a dismal performance from the skilled players the Sharks have.

Jason Demers – scared me tonight with some of his pass attempts and his decision making. He rounds off the pretenders list against the Coyotes.

The Sharks welcome in the red hot Jamie McGinn and the Colorado Avalanche Monday night for another game that should have a playoff feel to it.

Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
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