The San Jose Sharks extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-1 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers at the SAP Center on Thursday night..
Last night was also the first time the hometown fans had a chance to experience the new 3 on 3 overtime format and they would not be disappointed. The teams traded chances before the final horn.
Jow Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi each beat Cam Talbot in the SO, while Martin Jones stopped both shooters he faced.
The Sharks are two for two in the oft vilified skills competition. San Jose won their last shootout back in mid October when they beat the New Jersey Devils by the same 2-1 score at the Prudential Center.
Thus far the 3 on 3 has been a rousing success for the NHL. The amount of games decided in overtime is up which means a decrease in games going to the shootout. That's and hug plus for hockey fans.
And it certainly makes for an entertaining few minutes with plenty of open ice, speed and scoring chances.
I was one of the few people in the hockey community that actually enjoyed the shootout, but after having enjoyed several 3 on 3 overtime games I can honestly say...what the heck took the NHL so long?
The Sharks are a full two points up on Vancouver for third in the Pacific Division with two games in hand. Isn't that special?
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Shark Attack!
- The Sharks have won of 5 of 7 games since Logan Couture return to the lineup. Couture only has three points (1g 2a), but he played a season high 18:42 on Thursday night and his presence is being felt in the offensive zone. The points will come soon enough.
- Martin Jones is 3-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .947 save pct. in his last three starts. That's a far cry from his previous four starts when he went 1-3 with a goals against at 3.00 and a very pedestrian .866 save pct.
- Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the Sharks lone goal last night. It was his fifth of the season and first since Dec. 17. Vlasic is four goals away from reaching his career mark of 9 that he obtained in 70 games last season.
- Joe Thornton assisted on Vlasic's goal to give his six points (2g 4a) during his latest four game point streak. It's his second streak of at least four games this season. He had an eight game streak snapped on Jan. 7. The game before his current streak started.
- With the win, San Jose improved to 22-18-2 with 46 points through 42 games. The Sharks were 22-15-5 and 49 points through 42 games last season. Yet somehow I feel better about this team's chances of making the playoffs.
The Sharks next game is Saturday against the Central leading Dallas Stars.
Thanks for reading, Steve