One of the hallmarks of the Pete Deboer era in New Jersey was the teams inability to close out games. It looks as though some of those ugly tendencies are begining to show their ugly face for the San Jose Sharks.
The Pittsburgh Penguins used three third period goals to overcome a 2-0 deficit en route to a 3-2 win in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final.
Evgeni Malkin and Scott Wilson scored two quick goals to tie the game. Patric Hornqvist put a bow on it when he scored Pittsburgh's third goal to put the Pens ahead for good.
It was the Sharks fourth game of the current five game road trip and the fourth game in six nights and it shows. The east coast road trip is obviously wearing on this team.
They played two decent period before fading in the third, resulting in being on the losing end of penalties, face-offs, hits and the score.
Tired = lazy. Lazy = sloppy. Sloppy = losses.
Back to the "Blame Pete" angle...
trust me - I'm not. Deboer has done a tremendous job with the Sharks and don't expect a repeat of any noticeable drop-offs like his previous jobs.
I just want to point out a narrative that I plan to keep tabs on. Obviously those Devils were not nearly as talented as this Sharks team, but I already see some of the same similarities, especially in the third period play. Quick starts that all too often result in gut-wrenching blown leads late in games.
There is one HUGE difference though between past Deboer teams and this Sharks' team...
San Jose has the ability to score goals... a lot of goals. The Sharks are built on offense and last season when they scored at least three goals in a game they were nearly unbeatable (2-1 this season).
Right Pete?
"This league is a race to three goals. That's pretty much how it works. We couldn't get the third goal." -- Sharks coach Peter DeBoer
That's right coach - a luxury you didn't have in NJ.
Game Notes:
- Tomas Hertl scored the games first goal and his second goal in as many games. The 22-year-old has three points and two goals in five games. A good start for a kid with a very high upside.
- Patrick Marleau scored the 483rd goal of his wonderful career. He has two on the season and is only 17 shy of 500. This is a stretch, but at this pace he could score his 500th goal in game number 47 or 48. Game 47 in at home vs. Colorado and game 48 is in Colorado.
- Martin Jones is 2-2 with a 2.78 GAA and .887 save percentage.
I'll just go ahead and leave that there for you guys to chew on.
- Brent Burns had another assist last night giving him at least one point in all five games this season (3g 6a).
- Logan Couture also had an assist last night. It was fifth point this season putting him on pace for 82 points this season. That would smash his career high of 67 points (27g 40a) in 2014-15).
Please stay healthy LC.
- The Sharks end this trip in Detroit and it can't come soon enough.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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