GM Wilson balks again at notion of rebuilding
SAN JOSE >> On the day that Bob Boughner was introduced as the Sharks’ interim coach, general manager Doug Wilson was asked if this simply was a season in which his team had to take a step back.
After all, teams such as the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and even the Chicago Blackhawks, all recent former Western Conference powers, are now in the process of regrouping or rebuilding. Why are the Sharks immune?
“I don’t think you have to take a step back,” Wilson said. “We have the bones of a really good team.”
The Sharks better start showing that soon. With Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, the Sharks fell to 1-6-1 in December and 16-18-2 on the season.
The Sharks are now 36 games into a 82-game
schedule, and entering Wednesday, were 10 points back of first place in the Pacific Division and six points out of a Western Conference playoff spot.
It’s not early anymore. Maybe this is just who the Sharks are this season.
“I think we all know the situation we’re in,” Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “We’re going to have to string a few (wins) together and get that feeling back in here. But we felt like this was a game we should have won.”
The Sharks gave themselves a chance to pick up at least one point Tuesday, as they held the Coyotes to 11 shots on goal in the first two periods and killed three penalties. Tomas Hertl continued his strong play of late with two goals, giving him four in the last three games.
But Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s goal with 2:37 left in the third period proved to be the difference.
It was just the latest gutpunch loss, an opportunity blown to make up some ground on some other Pacific Division teams. That includes the Coyotes, who lead the division with 44 points.
“We’re all guilty of looking at the scoreboard and there’s some teams ahead of us that lost tonight,” said Boughner, who is 1-2-0 as interim coach. “It would have been nice to get those points, especially in a division game.”
Tuesday marked the sixth time in eight games the Sharks have been held to two goals or fewer, despite putting 28 shots on net.
“We’ve got to get a little dirtier in front of the net, create our own bounces off some legs, off some shin pads “Boughner said. “We’re getting one chance, but we’re not getting that second and third and sticking around.”
ANOTHER POWER-PLAY OUTAGE >> The Sharks enjoyed a rare 6-on-3 for the final 43.8 seconds of regulation time after both Ilya Lyubushkin and Brad Richardson were called for cross checking in the final minute.
Still, with a three-man advantage, the Sharks could not get a shot on net, as Logan Couture’s desperation attempt from a sharp angle came after the horn sounded.
In 4 minutes, 59 seconds of power play time Tuesday night, the Sharks managed three shots on goal. They are a dismal, inexcusable 1 for 38 with the man advantage over their last 15 games.
The Sharks are 5 for 63 (7.9 percent) with the man advantage since Nov. 1, last in the NHL during that span.
Much too often, the Sharks look slow in setting up. When the Sharks haven’t been predictable
with the man advantage, they seem hesitant to shoot. When they shoot, there’s usually not much traffic in front.
“Got to give (Arizona) some credit, too. They read what we wanted to do,” Karlsson said.
The Sharks had the day off Wednesday. They come back for two practices before the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues visit San Jose on Saturday and the Vegas Golden Knights come by Sunday.
Finding a formula that works with the man advantage is job No. 1.
ONE LINE SHOW >> Hertl’s line with Joe Thornton and Kevin Labanc has been the Sharks best since Boughner took over. Unfortunately for San Jose, there really hasn’t been a close second.
Couture and Evander Kane both had a goal and an assist Saturday against Vancouver, but both goals came with the Canucks’ net empty. The Sharks are also getting next to nothing in terms of offense from their third and fourth lines.
Hertl has 14 goals this season, tied with Kane for the team lead.
Again, it’s not early in the season. Whether Sharks upper management wants to admit it or not, this team is just not deep enough as currently constructed. Having only one line producing has been a season-long issue.