Sharks suddenly look like a super predator
Team has surged to forefront of Stanley Cup conversation
The Sharks have moved to the forefront of Stanley Cup conversation. In 10 weeks, they have gone from not even close to front of the pack.
This remarkable turnaround, which included a 7-2 victory Monday night at Vancouver — the Sharks’ sixth straight win — started Dec. 2. That was the day after the team got thumped by the woeful Ottawa Senators and held a closed-door meeting with general manager Doug Wilson in Montreal.
It was on that trip, after a 5-3 loss in Toronto, that alternate captain Logan Couture had said the Sharks weren’t even close to being in the Stanley Cup conversation. Since then they have posted a 22-6-2 record. They are leading the NHL in scoring over that span with 4.27 goals per game.
“Obviously we weren’t happy with our play going into that game in Montreal,” Evander Kane said. “That was a key moment where we all made a choice to start playing the right way and battle hard. It’s paid off so far.”
Over the last six weeks, the Sharks have picked up a string of wins over the NHL’s top contenders, a list that includes the Golden Knights, the Flames, the Jets, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning, which had a 16game point streak stopped by the Sharks.
“We’ve beaten some good teams and we’ve put together some good stretches, so it feels good to get re-
warded,” captain Joe Pavelski said. “That’s how you climb up the standings — consistency.”
With 25 games left on the schedule, the Sharks will need to keep that consistency and momentum going down the stretch to win the Pacific Division title, a race that carries additional weight this season.
At this point, the Western Conference features five legitimate Cup contenders — the Sharks, Jets, Flames, Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights. After that, the competition falls off a cliff. The Sharks can give themselves a smoother road to the Stanley Cup Final by winning the Pacific Division and earning a firstround matchup against a wild-card team. The prospect of going through the Golden Knights, the Flames and then either the Jets or Predators to reach the final is daunting.
“There’s some good teams there,” Pavelski said. “Being in first would help.” JOE THORNTON CONTINUES TO PUT HIS NAME IN THE RECORD BOOKS >> As the Sharks put together a historic road trip — only five other NHL teams had gone 4-0 through Western Canada — Thornton continued to carve his name into the record books on a nearnightly basis.
Last Thursday, he collected his 1,000th point with the Sharks. Saturday, he tied Gordie Howe for ninth place on the all-time assists list. Monday, he recorded a hat trick of milestones.
First, he moved into 15th place on the NHL’s all-time games played list, passing Shane Doan and Johnny Bucyk with his 1,541st. Then, he passed Howe on the assist list, picking up his 1,050th by setting up Kevin Labanc’s fourth goal in two games at 17:30 of the second period. The assist also tied him with Teemu Selanne for 15th place on the all-time scoring list with 1,457 points. So that’s next, quite possibly Thursday when the Sharks face Washington at the Tank.
Before Monday’s game, Thornton acknowledged that passing Howe would be extra special because he doesn’t “belong” on a list with Mr. Hockey. At his home, Thornton has a picture of himself with Howe. It’s one of only three, the others being Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr.
Couture appreciated the significance of the achievement, as well.
“There’s really no words to say that I’m in the dressing room with a guy that’s ahead of Gordie Howe. It’s pretty crazy,” he said. “I still believe that (Thornton) is underrated. I still don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for how worldclass of a player he is.”
Kane also understood the weight of the moment. He got to meet Howe while he played for the Vancouver Giants, a junior hockey team that Mr. Hockey held an ownership stake in.
“A very special person and a very special hockey player,” Kane said. “Obviously, the same can be said for Jumbo. He won’t admit it, but it must be pretty satisfying to pass a guy like that.” MORE IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS >> Fourteen of 18 position players found their way onto the scoresheet Monday night as the Sharks exploited a 19-year-old goalie (Michael DiPietro) making his NHL debut. Six Sharks — Kane, Couture, Pavelski, Tomas Hertl, Melker Karlsson and Brent Burns — recorded multi-point games.
Martin Jones put together a stellar effort in the goal crease, making 25 saves on 27 shots, improving to 8-1-1 against his hometown team.
“That’s been the story of our season,” head coach Pete DeBoer said.
Timo Meier got his 20th goal, his second goal in 23 games, making the Sharks the first team with five 20goal scorers.
Kane scored two more goals, giving him 15 since Jan. 1, which is tied for tops in the NHL with Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson. Hertl netted his 26th, his fourth of the trip, and Pavelski hit the 30-goal mark by redirecting a Brenden Dillon shot at 14:05 of the third.
In doing so, Pavelski recorded his fifth 30-goal season, his first since 2015-16.
“He’s been doubted throughout his whole career, right?” Couture said. “Didn’t think he’d make it. Didn’t think he’d be good enough to stay. Didn’t think he’d be good enough to continue to score. All he does is score and lead our team.”