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San Jose Sharks: Thoughts On Martin Jones and the First Month

November 4, 2015, 6:56 PM ET [67 Comments]
Tim Chiasson
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones started his teal career off in blazing fashion, winning four of his first five games while posting two shutouts. He also boasted an even strength save percentage of 95.92%. That's impressive stuff. Since then, though, the goaltender's play has plummeted. He's 2-3 with an even strength save percentage of 90.91%.

So which goaltender did the Sharks actually acquire, exactly?

We can't point the finger at Paul Martin being out because Martin played in four of the last five Sharks games Jones was starting in. This inconsistent goaltending is an issue the Sharks know too well, and it has to stop. Martin Jones is a good goaltender and he needs to find his game back. He needs to return to being the top notch tender that everyone knows he can be. The NHL season is long, but 5+ game stretches like this aren't good.

San Jose isn't exactly beaming with depth in goal, in fact Alex Stalock boasts the 2nd worst 5v5 save percentage of anyone in the entire NHL that has played goal this year at 85.71%. That's cringe-worthy, regardless of the sample size.

Could they use a few more goals? Sure they could, but it's not like the well is completely dry - and missing Logan Couture is a big hit to that department. The Sharks need Jones to be the guy to steal some games for them when the offense has some trouble and lately he isn't that guy. The Sharks do have a good amount of goals, but there are a few high-scoring games to twist the outlook.

Bottom line is this: Martin Jones needs to be better than he has been of late.

First Months Biggest Surprise/Disappointment

Biggest Surprise: Joel Ward

I still stand by my off-season reaction to the Joel Ward signing, but there's no denying he's hot as hell right now. He's playing great hockey for the Sharks and scoring well over the anticipated amount at any point in his career. It's a great time for him to be doing it, too, with Logan Couture out but the question is: can he keep it up? The jury is still out, but so far he's been phenomenal.

Biggest Disappointment: The 3rd Defensive Pairing

No matter who patrols the blueline on the third pairing it's a disaster. Dillon, Tennyson, DeMelo and Mueller have all played pretty bad this season in their respective appearances. That's a huge disappointment given that Dillon was sliding back into a more hidden role and the expectations were there that he would be more comfortable and find more success. That hasn't happened and his supporting cast have been atrocious. The Sharks need defensive depth badly.

What do you think, Sharks fans? Who/What is your biggest surprise/disappointment so far for the 2015-2016 San Jose Sharks?
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