Antti Niemi stole the show last night as the San Jose Sharks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 at the SAP Center. If not for the huge performance by the Sharks gatekeeper they almost certainly would have suffered a different fate.
It was a significant win. The victory improved them to 4-1-1 on the current home stand – with Edmonton left to play on Monday – while opening up a six point lead on the Los Angeles Kings and three apiece for the Canucks and Flames.
The Sharks beat three tough opponents in the last three games to give themselves a little breathing room, not that they can relax now but it lifts a little bit of the weight of the world off their shoulders.
Melker Karlsson continues to be quite the surprise. The Sharks rookie had a goal and a helper in the win and his linemate had a great compliment for the kid after the game.
“We think the game the same way.… – Thornton on Karlsson. (CSN Bay Area)
That’s an incredible statement coming from Thornton – who is one of the smartest players in the game – and speaks volumes about how Melker Karlsson operates. With how Karlsson has played, and the chemistry he apparently has with Thornton, the Sharks have stumbled upon what should be a permanent first line for the remainder of the season. I'm not saying Karlsson is a career first-line player, I'm saying he should be such for the last 32 games of this year.
The Sharks need consistency to have success and last night they got it. This isn't a team who operates very well when random players are being thrown over the boards. Last night, the lines were constant throughout the entire game. There were no surprises and the players were able to go about their business.
I will say I’m confused on the powerplay defender usage.
Matt Tennyson played 2:31 on the PP last night, Matt Irwin didn’t even play a single second.
If there is anything Irwin would be good for when there are injuries to the blueline it’s on the power play. He’s much better offensively than Tennyson and – in a choice between one or the other – Irwin should get the nod over his fellow part-time comrade. If he’s going to play, you may as well maximize the chances of getting positive results out of the guy.
Let’s talk about that Couture line for a minute.
Logan Couture is heralded as a shutdown center. That line is supposedly the Sharks shutdown line. They are struggling to accomplish that task right now. In the last 25 games both Couture and Marleau are below 50% 5v5 CF%. On a positive possession team that’s not good – especially when you’re supposed to be a top quality shutdown line.
It doesn’t help that his faceoff percentage has also dropped during that time to 44.7%. When you’re playing the top competition from the opposition and you’re losing all the faceoffs that Couture is losing you’re making life extremely more difficult on yourself than it has to be.
Although the overall play tipped in favor of the Blackhawks, the Sharks were able to contain them just enough and get the job done thanks to a brilliant performance by Niemi.
Lastly, I’m not sure what Taylor Fedun or Konrad Abeltshauser have to do to crack this rock solid, top of the line, defensive group.
It wouldn't bother me one bit to see either of them in action over Tennyson, Irwin or Hannan – preferably the latter – but it feels like we won’t get that chance this season for some reason.
Let’s first look at a real defender, then we’ll look at the player keeping Fedun and Abeltshauser out of the NHL.
Real Defender:
And now...
The Superstar Keeping Everyone At Bay:
In case you missed the titles within the image, the first one is Vlasic and the second is Hannan.
Enough loyalty and respect for the veteran. He gets enough of that by simply having a contract and being allowed to use the facilities. Play someone else, it's better for the team.
San Jose is back in action on Monday to finish their home swing against the Edmonton Oilers as they look to go after four straight wins.
Thanks for reading.