This new year came in like a bang for the San Jose Sharks following injuries to some pretty important pieces of their defensive corp.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic was placed on injured reserve after taking some rubber to the face in Friday’s victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Another Sharks' blueliner, David Schlemko missed Monday's practice with an upper body injury sustained in the 3-2 loss to the Kings at Staples Center.
The sudden rash of injuries could open the door for Sharks' 2013 first round pick, Mirko Mueller, to make his season debut. Mueller was recalled by the Sharks on Monday and could debut on Tuesday against the LA Kings according to the Mercury News.
Mueller has NHL game experience under his belt, but he may be poised to stick around for a while this time. The 21-year-old defenseman is listed at 6' 3" 210 lbs. and can be utilized in almost any situation by Pete Deboer's staff. Versatility on the back end is priceless in this league, especially as the injuries pile up.
Mueller has eight assists in 25 games with the Barracuda this season.
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One day after I wrote the Sharks should look to acquire a veteran netminder to backup Martin Jones, his current backup - Aaron Dell - pitched an impressive 2-0 against the Flyers. Dell made 21 saves in recording his first NHL shutout. It was a quality win against a very good Philly team.
Dell improved to 4-1 in five starts for a dazzling 1.78 GAA and a jaw-dropping .936 save percentage.
This just proves to me that the more I think I know - the dumber I sound. It's fine with me. I'll take the wins anyway I can get them. I'm sure the Sharks feel the same way.
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The Sharks lost to the Kings on Saturday night snapping a four-game win streak. It was only the Kings fourth win in 13 games, including playoffs, over the Sharks since the start of the 2015-16 season.
San Jose will have a chance to exact revenge on Tuesday when the same two teams meet again at the SAP Center. I can guarantee it will be- if anything - entertaining considering last Saturday's game was a physical affair with a total of 51 hits between the two clubs.
When the calendar changes the NHL really gets going and so do the rivalries.
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Just wondering - - Is anybody else concerned that San Jose's leading scorer and points getter is a defenseman?
- Is anybody else concerned that San Jose has just four players - total - with more than seven goals?
- Is anybody else concerned that San Jose can't shake the Edmonton Oilers of Anahei Ducks from their tail?
You shouldn't be -
- San Jose in third in NHL in goals against. They have allowed just 80 goals against in 37 games.
- San Jose is 13-4-0 at the Tank. Only three other teams in the league have more wins at home.
- San Jose has 10 road wins - only four teams in the league have more.
- San Jose has a +14 goal differential. Despite the goal scoring woes this season - only the Minnesota Wild (+37) have a better differential than the Sharks.
thanks for reading, Steve