The Sharks are about to kick off a seven game road trip that spends the first four games in Canada – not an ideal travel location given the recent drama around San Jose recently. If you have any thoughts about the Wilson/Thornton issue not coming up in the next four games you should probably get rid of them now to save yourself some headache later.
The first game may be the most important of the entire trip. Tonight’s match against the Winnipeg Jets is the only Western Conference game on the trip and it’s a four point game given the location of both clubs in the standings. The Sharks are four points back of Winnipeg with even games played. Now, the Jets are no longer in a playoff position but that’s irrelevant. The Sharks need to pass Winnipeg first before they can salivate at a playoff spot.
San Jose has struggled against the Eastern Conference this year, going 10-13-3, and the Atlantic Division in particular where they’ve gone 4-7-1. Unfortunately, the Sharks draw four teams from the Atlantic on the seven game swing.
If tonight’s other games – Vancouver, Calgary and Minnesota – go poorly for San Jose and they also drop tonight’s game against Winnipeg, the Sharks odds of making the playoffs will take a dive to around 6%.
However, there’s a good possibility the Sharks can gain enough ground from this road trip to have this race go down to the wire if they can get 60 minutes of hockey from everyone. The LA Kings wrap up March with games against, Minnesota, Chicago, Anaheim, both New York teams, the Canucks and Devils. That’s not an easy schedule. If San Jose can gain three points on LA to close the gap to two points by the end of the month we’ve got a real, live, fight on our hands.
Tonight’s game features a battle of two of the most putrid starters in the National Hockey League. If the Sharks can get pre-Chicago-game quality out of Antti Niemi it will be tough for the Jets to match. Pelting red-light Pavelec with as many shots from as many directions should be tops on the list.
The Sharks need to have the top two lines rolling down the stretch if they’re going to sneak into the post-season and for the love of god shelter Irwin/Burns if that’s the pairing that shows up.
Matchups are going to be key against the Jets. They really have only one threatening group. If the Sharks can shut down that top line they will be in a good position to win the game. That, of course, is also dependant on the Sharks top two lines playing well. Winnipeg is a strong possession team but if San Jose can eliminate the Jets top line with Couture’s group then Winnipeg doesn’t really have a legitimate comparison to handle Joe Thornton and company.
I’d say the Sharks need to go 4-2-1 at the worst on this road trip if they want to remain in contention for a playoff spot. The only gimmie win is against the Maple Leafs. Beating the Jets, Maple Leafs, Flyers and Sens, while getting a point from one of MTL/PIT/DET isn’t outrageous – but it won’t be easy. The Senators have been playing possum all year and you can flip a coin on Philadelphia.
Here’s hoping Ondrej Pavelec plays like we know he can and the Sharks get a big two points.
Thanks for reading.
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