Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Logan Couture and Brent Burns help pull Sharks even in series

April 29, 2018, 1:29 AM ET [16 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
What a difference 48 hours makes. The San Jose Sharks thrashed their way back into the best-of-7 series with the Vegas Golden Knights - thanks to a gritty and somewhat lucky performance in game two.

Logan Couture's second goal of the game was his and the Sharks biggest of these playoffs. Couture took a pass on a beautiful setup from Kevin Labanc and beat goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for a thrilling and much-needed 4-3 overtime win in Game 2 to pull even. The series shifts to Nor Cal for games 3 and 4 all knotted up at 1-1.



The Sharks looked more than determined to put that 7-0 drubbing in the rear view mirror. Although for a moment or two it felt like more of the same. Vegas held a 1-0 lead after the first period and before the second period was 30 seconds old they stretched that led to 2-0.

Then, led by Brent Burns, the Sharks offense finally woke up.

Burns scored a pair of goals in the second period, including their first power play goal of the series, to end MAF's shutout streak. Couture scored his first goal of the game and San Jose headed to the second intermission with a 3-2 lead. Big second periods have been the Sharks hallmark all season.

Vegas pulled even late in the third period before Couture's heroics saved the season. Martin Jones stopped 26 shots in the win. The Sharks out shot 47-29 for the game.

***

Evander Kane, who was suspended for Game 2 for a cross check to the face of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare will be back in the lineup for game 3.

San Jose didn't seem to miss Kane. They played a very spirited and uptempo game that seemed to frustrate the Knights. Vegas took 11 penalties and handed the Sharks seven power play chances - they scored on two of them. The second was Couture's GWG.

The Sharks only allowed the Knight two shots with the man advantage and they killed off both. A stark contrast to the 10 in the previous game. Vegas scored on three of those as they steamrolled the visitors.

***

- This game felt like a playoff game. There is a palpable hate brewing between the two teams. There was plenty of pushing and shoving sprinkled with a healthy share of wacks and slashes. The two clubs combined for 100 hits in the game and my feeling is the more physical this series gets the more is favors the Sharks. I expect much more of the same in San Jose.

- Brent Burns was terrible in game one. I can't say the same for game two. He finished the game with two goals, an assist, five hits in nearly 37 minutes of ice time. The Wookie had a very big chip on his shoulder and he took it out of the Knights.

- Joe Pavelski was huge in the face-off circle. He won 14 of 25 attempts, including several in the attacking zone. Both of his assists were from Burns' goals because of his prowess in the dot. The captain had several grade A scoring opportunities with several in OT. It's only a matter of time before the pucks start going in for number 8.

- Chris Tierney was very noticeable. His work on the forecheck and the cycle was outstanding. He had five shots on goal and won 53% of the draws he took. He took his game to another level and he has the ability to be difference maker for sure.

- The role players like Eric Fehr and Marcus Sorensen came to play. They made several key defensive plays. Maybe none better than Sorensen's blocked shot off the shaft of his stick in overtime. Total team win.

- The disallowed goal in overtime was legit. The goalie interference situation has been hotly contested all season long. In this case the league got it right. They officials ruled Jonathan Marchessault ran into Jones' blocker while he was still in the blue paint. Marchessault clearly disrupted Jones' ability to make a play. It was the right call and I commend the league for making the call with so much on the line.



Great rebound win for the Sharks. If anything this team has guile. Now build off of this in front of those teal and black crazies at SAP Center.

Nighty Knight,
Steve
Join the Discussion: » 16 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Steve Palumbo
» Sharks offense in heating up; have they turned a corner?
» Radim Simek's return will help, but San Jose's issues run deep
» The Last Place Sharks; Should We Get Used To It?
» Evander Kane helping Sharks get back on track
» Patrick Marleau's big return masks Sharks woes