The up and down, pretender and contender, display of hockey by the San Jose Sharks continues.
Last night they controlled the play for the majority of the game and demolished a division rival 5-1 in an important game. A little concerning were the 34 shots that reached Niemi, but the Sharks goalie Antti’d up – see what I did there? – and put in a solid performance in the cage.
Let’s talk about what’s important. Daniil Tarasov and Chris Tierney
Who would have thought that a call-up from Worcester could actually play? Sarcasm, of course.
Tarasov had a fantastic game. Aside from the obvious positive of getting an assist in his first NHL game, Tarasov had a 70% CF% for the night. 14-6 in shot attempts while he was on the ice. That’s impressive for a player on any line, but for the fourth line it’s exponentially impressive.
I’m ready to jump to conclusions on this kid: he’s better than John Scott.
Chris Tierney also had a whale of a game, scoring a goal and adding an assist. It’s time he remains a regular in the lineup and stops earning air miles. There’s no reason for him to be in Worcester when he could be playing over Scott, Desjardins and even Goodrow.
Speaking of Desjardins, he was chosen over Tyler Kennedy. Face palm. (If I’ve missed yet another Kennedy injury, please let me know).
Tyler Kennedy is a bottom-six possession monster (insert Pierre McGuire voice). He helps the team when he’s on the ice – and you know that when he’s going over the boards. When Desjardins heads over the boards it’s a toss-up. Things could go well, depending on his linemates, or things could get ugly.
Why, if Kennedy is healthy, you would ever have him out of the lineup is beyond me. The guys a solid bottom six player.
Melker Karlsson scored again. That kid gets more impressive with each game. He has a tremendous awareness about him. He’s always in the right spot and he’s got a decent set of mitts on him as well. You never know, he could be a sleeper pick for being a legitimate second line player in the future.
#FreeMirco
Playing in his first game for the Sharks since December 11th, Mueller looked right at home. He and Dillon struggled from a possession standpoint but I’d blame that more on playing with the Goodrow line than actual poor play by him.
I will praise McLellan for placing him with Brenden Dillon. That’s called giving the kid a chance.
It was fantastic to see Hannan scratched for the game in favor of Mueller – a trend I’d like to see continue.
Other Notes:
Patrick Marleau became the youngest player in league history to reach 1300 games played. That’s an impressive feat and it speaks to the durability of the long-tenured Shark.
Pavelski has 28 goals now and if Ovechkin and Nash slip up at all he’s got a legitimate chance to take a run at the Richard. He’s been consistent all season long.
The Couture line dominated while they were on the ice last night which was the complete opposite of how they’ve played recently.
Tarasov, despite playing a great game, received the fewest minutes on the team. While I wish he had been rewarded with at least more ice time than Barclay Goodrow, I’ll take the good with the bad. No Hannan, no Scott and + Mueller.
Best case scenario for the Sharks is that Vancouver leap frogs Calgary and San Jose can draw the Canucks in the first round of the playoffs. Calgary has given the Sharks trouble all season and I don’t buy for a second the Canucks are a legitimate playoff team. They’re largely average like the Sharks only, for obvious reasons, I think the Sharks are much better.
Lastly, why not have the forward lines look like this for the next game:
Karlsson-Thornton-Pavelski Marleau-Couture-Nieto Tarasov-Sheppard-Hertl Goodrow-Tierney-Kennedy
Perhaps Goodrow and Tierney can find that pre-season chemistry. The benefits of Desjardins and Scott are null and void. When Wingels returns they can send Goodrow back to Worcester, slide Sheppard to the middle on the fourth flanked by Kennedy and Tierney, move Hertl over to 3C with Wingels and Tarasov. I’d be more than open to that look.
The Sharks are back in action tomorrow against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Thanks for reading.
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