There isn't much you can do when the opposing goaltender plays like that.
The Montreal Careypriciens had #31 in goal last night and he put up yet another Hart Trophy game for his 9th donut of the season.
The Sharks couldn’t get anything to go on their two power plays but remained disciplined and gave Montreal zero opportunities with a man advantage. If Brendan Gallagher had his way then Justin Braun would have given Montreal a PP but, luckily for San Jose, Michel Therrien’s #1 gameplan (other than letting Price do the work) is to embellish at all costs so coincidental minors ensued.
Other than a, roughly, 10 minute stretch in the third period – when the Sharks were trying to keep their dreams alive - the overall shot attempts were pretty even the whole game. Brent Burns and Matt Irwin were sheltered to the tune of a 100% offensive zone start percentage. Price was the difference, it’s that simple. It’s unfortunate the Sharks had to run into the league MVP at this point with their playoff dreams on the line.
The Goal Struggles of Pavelski
Since scoring a hat-trick against the Arizona Coyotes, Joe Pavelski has three goals in 15 games. It’s partly a case of snakebite and partly a case of he’s not shooting enough. Eight times in the last 15 games Pavelski has had two shots or less (53.3% of games). In the previous 57 games he shot two or less 25 times (43.9% of games). That increase in games of two or less shots is significant. Only Logan Couture (23) and Pavelski (34) have more than 16 goals this season. His goals are important.
His shot percentage is down right now (12.6% over the last 15 games) compared to his season average of 15.6% - but that’s all the more reason to shoot more. I will note, though, that he does have 13 points in 15 games, so this isn’t a Pavelski-is-missing suggestion – he’s just not scoring goals, which is a problem for San Jose.
Pavelski is shooting 3.1 shots per game. Ovechkin is shooting 4.9. There’s a reason Alex Ovechkin scores a pile of goals every year and it isn’t just because he’s a fantastic shooter. Of the five players with more goals than Joe Pavelski this year only one has a better shooting percentage – Steven Stamkos. They all take more shots per game.
With a 4.4% chance to make the playoffs it’s most likely too little, too late, but if the Sharks want to remain alive as long as possible they’re going to need Pavelski to start letting shots fly. He will score, there’s no two ways about it. He’s an elite goal scorer in the NHL. Like Gretzky said, ‘you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’.
The Odds Are Against Them
With only a 4.4% chance to make the post-season it’s now almost official that the Sharks will miss the post-season for the first time in a very long time.
To hit 95 points the Sharks would need to finish the season 8-1-1 and still need some help from the teams above them. Essentially, Calgary would have to finish 5-5 and the Kings 6-5 for that 8-1-1 to matter. It’s a tall order.
What’s Left
@ Senators @ Red Wings @ Flyers @ Penguins COLORADO ARIZONA @ Arizona DALLAS @ Edmonton @ LA
That’s the schedule that remains for the Sharks to search for eight wins and an overtime loss.
For now there is still small hope, but it’s fading fast and soon we will be talking about the San Jose Sharks offseason earlier than we have had to since 2003.
Thanks for reading.
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