The San Jose Sharks are officially in the 2013 playoffs and they did it with a 3-2 come from behind win over the Dallas Stars who have owned them this year.
It was pandemonium in the Shark Tank when Joe Pavelski tipped in the game tying goal after they peppered Stars’ goalie Kari Lehtonen without the results they were looking for. It was 0:30 seconds later when Logan Couture scored the game winning goal that the rafters shook at the Shark Tank and a real sense of pride was felt from the team that put a great deal of hard work in throughout this shortened season.
“Ohh, it feels good” responded Joe Thornton when asked how qualifying for the playoffs felt.
“We battled all night and we had so many chances. We needed the two points bad and we’re in, we still have two games to go, but it’s a good feeling now.”
The Stars’ goalie Kari Lehtonen was sharp all night stopping great scoring opportunities by the Sharks’ best players. He was also somewhat lucky with a few posts saving his bacon. San Jose put the pedal down and had flurries of chances in the last half of the second period and right through the third.
“He played great, we had lots of chances” commented Antti Niemi about Kari Lehtonen’s play Tuesday night.
“He played really really well.”
All four lines were able to get sustained pressure in the offensive zone and it was just a matter of time before they got one past Lethonen.
“It felt like it was coming” was Joe Pavelski’s response when he was asked how confident the Sharks were that they would be able to get the goals they needed for the win.
“It’s one of those things you’re at home and the crowd was building and building and your waiting for it to blow, and it finally does. It was an awesome atmosphere out there. It’s a good feeling. It’s rewarding for a lot of guys in the room.”
San Jose was much better than they were on Sunday against Columbus. The turnovers that cost the Sharks the game against the Blue Jackets were rectified and they played a much tighter game. There are always going to be giveaways and takeaways in a game, but where they happen are what is so vital and is often the difference between winning and losing.
The Sharks opened the scoring in this game on the power play, but the Stars came right back and snagged the momentum by scoring on the next shift.
As far as momentum swings go the Sharks found themselves down two men for 1:21 to finish the opening period and killed it off with a standout effort from Justin Braun. Braun took a loose puck from end to end and created a scoring chance. He wasn’t able to light the lamp, but he did force the draw in the Stars’ zone. The fans at the HP Pavilion recognized this and gave Braun the applause he earned.
The momentum seemed to be going in the Sharks’ favor as they killed off the first 5 on 3 but as time ran out in the first period Marc-Edouard Vlasic took a slashing minor which put San Jose right back in the two men down situation they had just climbed out of.
It took Dallas all of 0:17 seconds with a clean sheet of ice at the start of the second period to score and go ahead 2-1. That momentum that Braun worked so hard to create was quickly erased by Vlasic’s mental faux pas.
The Sharks have had their troubles this year against the Stars. Coming into Tuesday’s game they were 0-2-1 against their division rivals. The Stars have executed a complete turnaround against San Jose compared to last year when they won just once in six attempts.
The Sharks are in the playoffs, but they are still chasing fourth place and home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
They play in Phoenix Wednesday night, then travel to LA to face the Kings the team they are chasing in the standings and most likely the team they will play in the first round. The final game of the season will be played on Saturday night and the outcome could very well decide who gets fourth and who gets fifth in the Western Conference.
With the Kings’ loss in Minnesota tonight and San Jose’s win over Dallas they are tied in points; however LA gets fourth spot due to the first tie breaker which is wins in regulation or overtime.
“When we came in (to the room after the game) we immediately looked at what happened around the league and there’s still a chance for home ice” commented Coach Todd McLellan referring his team’s opportunity to earn the opportunity to host the Kings in the first round.
The turning point in this game was Joe Pavelski’s tying goal. They had worked so hard and created some great scoring chances without any results to show for it that when Joe’s goal finally went in there was a sense of relief and belief that could beat this goalie and win the game.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Logan Couture – not only scored the game winning goal with just over five minutes remaining, but he also laid himself out to block the Stars’ final point shot outing the game on ice. Logan also hit the twenty goal mark which is a measuring stick for NHL players, the fact that he did it in this 48 game shortened season makes it that much more impressive.
Kari Lehtonen – is on the list for standing on his head, particularly in the second period. Lethonen stoned Thornton, Boyle, and the entire fourth line in highlight reel style.
Dan Boyle – was a rock and a leader for the Sharks Tuesday night. He blocked shots on key scoring chances for the Stars in the third and his effort on the offensive side was easy to see.
Joe Pavelski – scored a clutch goal for the Sharks and won 60% of his draws. He was a stand-out Tuesday night and continues to carry the third line.
Pretenders
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – is on the list for taking a dumb minor that led to the Stars second goal of the game. After working so hard as a group to change the momentum it swung the other way in a hurry on the Stars two man advantage.
The Sharks have two games remaining in the season and suit up tomorrow night in Phoenix. They need to win both games if they want fourth place.
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