The Sharks are back at home to host the Florida Panthers and exact some revenge on the over-achieving Eastern team that handed them a loss in Florida recently.
One of the biggest issues for the Sharks this year have been their ability to get quality scoring chances. They’ve directed a pile of shots at the opposition’s net but a lot of them are either low-percentage chances, blocked or miss the mark entirely.
Here’s a comparison between the Panthers and Sharks for missed shots.
The difference between the two teams is that the Sharks offense is more talented and can create more chances, so the abundance of missed opportunities reflects less when you look at goals for. That doesn’t take away that it’s still an issue, though.
Here’s a look at shots that are blocked for both teams.
So if they aren’t missing the net they’re hitting the players on the way there. The Sharks continue to shoot for the sake of shooting.
You need to get high percentage shots on goal, not just directed at the net. The Sharks have scored a meager 19 goals in 9 games for the month of November. When your defense can’t hold down the fort averaging 2.11 goals per game isn’t going to get you very far.
Outside of the obvious complaints about the coaching/management staff there are fundamental issues plaguing this team right now that need to be addressed.
Tonight’s match-up against the Panthers shouldn’t be taken lightly given the Sharks recent struggles and a previous defeat to the Cats in Florida not that long ago.
Keys To The Game
Shots For
As I said above, they need to hit the net. Break down the Panthers defensive zone coverage and put yourself in a high percentage area to shoot the puck. San Jose doesn’t take nearly enough high-percentage shots, instead opting for a quick release from wherever they get most excited with the puck.
Making life easy for Roberto Luongo is equivalent to digging your own grave.
Hit Reset
The players have to focus less on what’s going on with the people in charge of them and more on the ice. They’ve looked disinterested and disappointed for the last few games and they need to just play their game.
There has to be a belief that players aren’t happy with how things have been managed on and off the ice this year but they need to make sure outside distractions are left outside of the arena. This team is like a circus show right now and the only way to change that is to dig down and forget about the first 21 games of the season.
The Sharks road back to the playoffs has to kick in now and it starts with this team, regardless of coaching decisions, showing the drive and heart that they’re capable of on each and every shift.
D-Men: Don’t Take Chances
Whenever a team is struggling there is this natural thought to do more. It’s more noticeable with defensemen because when they do it more often than not it leads to a TSN highlight of them being torched for a 2-on-1.
They defenders need to settle down and play their position, with the exception of Brent Burns because he’s like a free range chicken out there that no farmer is going to coral.
Hold the point. If it’s a toss-up as to whether or not you’ll race the opposition to the puck in the offensive zone then don’t go for it. It’s not worth the potential disastrous repercussions on the scoreboard. Let the offense take care of possession down low on the dasher boards.
I have hopes that there’s a solid effort coming from San Jose tonight. They’re finally back at home after 16 of 21 on the road and if they can’t get motivated for this game then they should take the rest of the season off and hit the golf course early.
Prediction: 6-1 Sharks on the back of Jumbo Joe and the top line. It’s time to right the ship on their own if ownership/management won’t step in and help.
Thanks for reading.