San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
After dealing backup goalie, San Jose dealt defeat by L.A.
The Kings stalled the Sharks’ playoff push after their first trade domino fell earlier on Saturday.
Los Angeles scored three unanswered goals in the second period to break a 11 tie en route to a 42 win at SAP Center. That dropped sixthplace San Jose four points behind St. Louis for fourth place. Arizona is three points ahead of the Sharks, who have 16 games left.
“The game was lost in the second period,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “It didn't look to me like we were fighting enough and got complacent.”
Before losing for the second time in seven games, San Jose dealt backup goalie Devan Dubnyk to Colorado for veteran defenseman Greg Pateryn and a 2021 fifthround draft pick. And it doesn’t sound like general manager Doug Wilson is done dealing before Monday’s noon deadline.
“You’re always looking to add assets when you’re going through a reset like we are,” Wilson said. “But make no mistake we’re trying to compete to make the playoffs this year and compete every night.” Depth forward Marcus Sorensen and parttime enforcer Kurtis Gabriel — both due to be unrestricted free agents — could move. But it appears 41yearold Patrick Marleau is staying put to break Gordie Howe’s gamesplayed record in a Sharks jersey. Marleau played in No. 1,763 on Saturday (and 894th in a row) to move within four of Howe.
“If I can grab some more picks using (available salary) cap space, I certainly will,” Wilson said. “If there’s something that makes sense on the hockey side you always listen and explore those deals also.”
The Sharks are comfortable with Dubnyk’s departure because they think rookies Josef Korenar and Alexei Melnichuk are ready to support Martin Jones, who gave up four goals to L.A. on 19 shots.
The Czech native Korenar, 23, who has played parts of three seasons with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL, made his NHL debut in relief of Jones with a perfect third period. The Russianborn Melnichuk, 23, also made his NHL debut in relief (Feb. 11).
“The plan is to give both these guys games,” Boughner said. “Just like the rest of our young guys they bring that intensity, focus and passion. It’s a good environment they’re coming into. I’m excited to see these two.”
Acquired from Minnesota before the season, Dubnyk was showered with appreciation Saturday. Boughner said his 392 record, 3.18 goalsagainst average and .898 save percentage were a result of shaky play in front of him rather than his subpar effort.
“Dubby was unbelievable,” Wilson said. “This season being so unique and challenging — especially early on — his professionalism, the type of teammate and guy he is, his work ethic, and how he handled things on and off the ice, we can’t thank him enough. That’s why we wanted to get him to a place that fits well for him, he deserves that.”
The 6foot3, 223pound Pateryn, 30, is a legitimate depth blue liner having played 278 career games with Montreal, Minnesota, Dallas and Colorado. Pateryn, a coveted righthand shot, played eight games for the Avs this season, and will join the Sharks after being given time to get his family settled after his wife delivered a baby boy recently. “We know we’ve got to keep doing our job,” Boughner said. “We’ve put a lot of internal pressure on ourselves to compete every night and really that’s the focus here. It’s that nextmanup mentality.”