The Sharks play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight looking for their second straight victory. This will be the third game in four nights for the Leafs and second in a row, having played Anaheim last night. Toronto is struggling to find the back of the net after getting blanked against the Kings and Ducks and will be hungry to avoid their first three straight shutout losses in almost 90 years.
The scenario is set up largely in the Sharks favor: Tired opponent with zero confidence likely starting their goalie in back to backs.
As always with a lesser quality opponent, I’m going to suggest the Sharks don’t take them lightly.
This isn't the same Leafs team that concedes possession on a laughable rate. Since Peter Horachek took over they've competed on an even keel with their opponents with regards to shot attempts – and all teams will eventually start scoring again.
The Sharks are going to have to pressure the Leafs defense all night long, make them make the mistakes everyone knows they’re capable of. When Jake Gardiner is on the ice, pin him in the defensive zone. Gardiner has zero clues what he’s doing in his own end. On offense, take care of Phil Kessel - but not with John Scott.
The biggest issue for the Sharks in this game, though, will be themselves. They have composition questions.
Is Todd McLellan going to line-dance like he’s at a country bar, or will he switch to non-caffeinated beverages before he steps behind the bench? McLellan, in his masterful wisdom, is a compulsive line shuffler. Is he going to keep Thornton and Pavelski apart and hope that seven years of history suddenly changes?
Andrew Desjardins could be back after the birth of his child, does he draw back in? You have to assume he does, he’s been a regular all season long. The likely player on the outs would be Tye McGinn – because I think, for now, Nieto is out of the doghouse – based on the line quality.
That being said, I didn't mind Tomas Hertl playing his natural position against Arizona. His faceoffs weren't great but that’s to be expected when you play the wing for over a year. Maybe the Sharks have their offensively skilled 3C already on the roster in Hertl.
If San Jose can settle into some lines that aren't a mish-mash of random combinations they should come out of this game with two points. The Leafs are ripe for the picking after playing in Anaheim last night.
St Louis, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, Dallas and Colorado are all in action tonight in addition to the Sharks. A win against Toronto would go a long way in keeping those behind them at bay as well as remaining in contention for a better seed in the West.
San Jose can’t take games off. They aren’t in a position of strength in the standings so they need to cash in when they get the chance. They did that against the Coyotes two nights ago and they need to do it again tonight against Toronto.
Other Notes:
- Adam Burish is now playing for the Chicago Wolves (St Louis Blues) in the American Hockey League on loan from San Jose. Temper the excitement – he’s still property of the Sharks.
- Raffi Torres is still a ways away from returning, though McLellan – like earlier in the year – hasn’t ruled out his return this season, per Kevin Kurz.
- Mirco Mueller is still broken, not like he’d play anyway if he was healthy. #FreeMirco
- Logan Couture and Matt Irwin are the Sharks contingent of convicted embellishers. I’ll post the entire NHL’s list on the All-Star Game day.
Thanks for reading.