Heading into tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators the Sharks currently sit in the 2nd wildcard seed – which would match them against Nashville in the first round. This is extremely less than ideal – however, the Sharks might not have to worry about that if they continue to play like they have all season.
San Jose has a point percentage of .569, which translates to a 93 point pace over 82 games. That’s not good enough for the playoffs.
The Sharks need to focus and try to steal a win from the Predators. Everything that could have went wrong for San Jose in last night’s games did go wrong. Calgary and Vancouver passed them and the Kings got within two points.
A full effort is required tonight with increased importance.
Has Wilson Given Up?
Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1290 (Winnipeg) yesterday and dropped this nugget (Nichols On Hockey):
“I was talking to a team today that says that they were told again by San Jose that Antti Niemi is on the table.… – Pierre LeBrun
Personally I think it’s too little, too late, for an Antti Niemi deal. There isn't much of a market for goaltenders right now and we went through this already several days ago. I do think that Stalock would perform up to Niemi’s low standard over the duration of the season, but I highly doubt we see it.
The fact that he’s on the table, reportedly, and with the clear lack of confidence the Sharks have shown Stalock really paints a picture as to what the management group actually thinks this team can accomplish this year. If they’re willing to deal their starting goaltender with nothing they believe in to replace him with then they've already given up on this season.
Everyone knows the Sharks don’t have a Cup winning product this year but to have management sit and stew on that fact – while clearly understanding it – all season long is a display of dysfunction on a level par with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I’m not saying go acquire rentals, because that would be foolish for the Sharks to do. We can talk all we want about how doing nothing is the right thing now – and it is – but that’s a scenario that was created by the lack of activity by Doug Wilson to improve this team and make moves he should have made. My point is that this Niemi situation is one that should have been resolved prior to the season – and the same goes for the defensive group.
Barclay Goodrow Needs To Sit
Goodrow is a line-bouncer in the Sharks bottom six. He randomly shows up with different players whenever Todd McLellan gets made at someone. The problem is he should be getting mad at Goodrow. Here’s Goodrow’s 2014-2015 WOWY (MIN 75TOI w/ player)
Wherever this guy goes he drags someone down – except for Tommy Wingels, which is odd. He even drags Scott Hannan down. Goodrow should have been in the AHL this year – and he certainly shouldn’t be in the lineup over Tyler Kennedy.
The usage of Goodrow is just another display of the Sharks not giving themselves the best chance to win. I’m all for playing the kids – within reason. Karlsson is a kid, Mueller is a kid, Tierney is a kid, Hertl is a kid. There are lots of kids playing. The Sharks don’t need to fill every spot in the day-care though.
Tyler Kennedy is second, only to Joe Thornton, on the team is corsi for percentage. That is a gift for your bottom six – and absolute gift. How many teams would sit a depth guy with a 56.9CF%? Not many would, and certainly not over the 48.0CF% Goodrow who brings his teammates down.
The Sharks worst enemies are standing behind the bench and in the booth.
Thanks for reading.
*I'm running the Ottawa Marathon in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, if you have a spare dollar feel free to donate to my goal here --> http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/timchiasson I've hit 60% of my goal already. To those who have donated, thanks for the support!