Despite loss to Jets, Sharks see some positives
SAN JOSE >> Over the last few days, Sharks coach Pete Deboer has used a rather unflattering word on multiple occasions when he’s described his team’s play.
“I think lately it’s been more just soft coverage,” Deboer said before the Sharks played the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. “Just soft around our net, letting guys get inside.”
“We’ve been a soft team for 10, 12 games,” Deboer said Friday morning before the Sharks hosted the Winnipeg Jets. “That doesn’t win you many games in this league.”
The Sharks’ 3-2 loss to the Jets on Friday at SAP Center was their fourth straight this week and their 10th in 14 games this season. Just like losses to the Buffalo Sabres last month, the Sharks had opportunities to pick up a victory before a late miscue cost them a chance to pick up two points.
At the very least, though, the game gave this year’s Sharks team a blueprint for how it needs to play, something they tried to carry into Saturday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Sharks were physical without being reckless and forechecked as well as they have all season. All four lines had something to contribute and all Sharks were more direct in getting pucks to the net.
They were just stymied by a terrific goaltending performance from Connor Hellebuyck, who made 51 saves, including 40 in the last two periods. The Sharks were anything but soft.
“I thought we were harder all over the ice,” Deboer said Friday night. “I said earlier I think we’ve been a soft team. I thought we were physically engaged
in the game in all three zones. Makes a big difference.”
“I thought we played well. It was probably up there with our best games of the season,” Sharks captain Logan Couture said. “Disappointing to lose, but we’ll take positives in times like these.”
The Sharks set the tone for how they were going to defend and attack the Jets within the first few shifts of the first period, not allowing a shot for a seven minute stretch until there about nine minutes left.
Deboer has talked on multiple occasions about needing to find four lines that he can put on the ice that will pressure opposing teams in all three zones. One had to wonder if he was ever going to find what he was looking for, especially after the Sharks were trounced by the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins in consecutive games by a combined score of 10-3.
The loss to the Senators was especially disheartening. Ottawa has some young talented players, but they’re nowhere near being a Stanley Cup contender.
Something happened between the time the Sharks landed back in the Bay Area on Wednesday afternoon and the time they suited up Friday night.
Maybe they heard Deboer’s message about being soft.
“That’s a piece of it for sure, yeah, and it is harsh,” Deboer said. “I don’t think there’s a worse word you can be called. But that’s the reality of it. We got it turned in the right direction.”
• Winer Jonny Brodzinski missed Saturday’s game and will be out for a while with a shoulder injury incurred Friday.