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The road is no place for Sharks

March 23, 2013, 5:27 PM ET [17 Comments]
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Sharks were shutout in Minnesota and suffered their third road loss on this trip with a lack of scoring as Niklas Backstrom shut-out San Jose 2-0.

The story today was Backstrom between the pipes, an unsuccessful power play for the Sharks, and an opportunistic one for the Wild.

The Wild scored two goals and although only one of them will be credited with the man advantage their first goal came before James Sheppard stepped back on the ice.

“Special teams let us down” was how Coach Todd McLellan put it after the game.
“It’s not that we were horrendous in those areas. They beat us on the power play and penalty kill situations other than that five on five I thought we played even or had more scoring opportunities.”

San Jose had some pretty good looks at Backstrom but were unable to pull the trigger. Andrew Desjardins couldn’t beat the Wild net minder on a penalty shot in the first period and on other looks the Sharks didn’t get enough bodies in front of the net, nor were they able to get to the few rebounds that were available.

The Wild deserve a lot of credit for protecting their house and collapsing five players down low. They also did a good job getting in the shooting lanes.

Special teams have been the saving grace for this team this season and today they weren’t able to contribute.

The Sharks only mustered 14 shots on net through two periods which just doesn’t cut it in the NHL. Once the Wild took a two goal lead and played more defensively, and the Sharks put their foot down they were able to pepper Backstrom him with 19 in the third totaling 33 saves for the Swedish goalie.

Backstrom was asked after the game if he is in the zone and the puck looks like a beach ball?
“I don’t know if it ever looks like that. For sure I would like it to be.
“We know how we should play. We know that when we do the details it is going to be good for us.”

The depth lines for the Sharks made an impact Saturday afternoon by creating some great chances and sustaining some pressure in the offensive zone. These guys haven’t been a factor very often this season but if they can keep up the effort they put forth this afternoon they will be rewarded.

Scoring details

1st period

No scoring

2nd period

MIN – 12:10 –EV – 12 Z.Parise(12) – assists – 9 M.Koivu(18), 20 R.Suter(23)

3rd period

MIN – 1:17 –PP – 46 J.Spurgeon(4) – assists – 20 R.Suter(24), 9 M.Koivu(19)

Turning point

The turning point was when Logan Couture missed an open net that could have changed the momentum of the game. The Sharks had some good scoring opportunities and had they of capitalized on one of them and got to Backstrom the door may have opened.

Contenders & Pretenders

Contenders

Niklas Backstrom – made winning look easy in Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. He didn’t see a lot of rubber until the third period when the Sharks played with more desperation and the Wild played to protect a lead. The Sharks did have some good quality scoring chances but Backstrom never looked fazed as he won his fifth game in a row.

Ryan Suter – has been a stud on the point for the Wild and Saturday afternoon he continued to impress with two assists to find his way onto the contender’s list.

Mikko Koivu – also added two helpers to make his way onto the list.

Pretenders

Logan Couture – wasn’t able to follow-up his stellar performance in Edmonton Saturday afternoon. Couture uncharacteristically missed an open net in the second period which would have opened the scoring. He also had a couple of bad turnovers one which led to a Wild breakaway while on the power play. Cooch as his mates call him just wasn’t himself Saturday.

Joe Thornton – was invisible today. He even fumbled the puck a few times which is his bread and butter. Joe may very well be fighting a lower body injury that he has kept quiet, but obviously they need more from their leader.

Joe Pavelski – hasn’t been able to find the back of the net for seems like an eternity and had some good opportunities Saturday. He certainly hasn’t maintained his reputation as “the Big Pavelski” and Monday against the Ducks will be a great time to find his scoring touch again.

Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
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