Sharks finally showing signs of righting ship
After a fivegame winning streak, the Sharks can reach “NHL .500” with a win against Detroit on Saturday.
And while San Jose (9101) has rebounded after a shaky start that included losses in its first four games, the 20game plateau represents the time general managers can accurately access what they do and do not have on their teams.
Here’s how the Sharks break down a quarter way through the season: Resiliency: It’s a common thread during coach Peter DeBoer’s five seasons behind the bench, and it’s instilled with this group despite numerous changes to the roster. It’s the reason general manager Doug Wilson didn’t panic and gave his team a chance to figure it out. Goaltending: Team save percentage of .883 is better than only the Kings and Devils, and starter Martin Jones has a tendency to play as well as the team performs in front of him. He’s spearheaded an outstanding penalty kill and has shown flashes lately of competing his hardest when the Sharks need a key save. Aaron Dell is on thin ice. His next outing is probably critical and Wilson is likely working behind the scenes for a Plan B.
Top stars: The Sharks weren’t going to go anywhere until their best players started to perform. Of late, Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Timo Meier and MarcEdouard Vlasic have really picked it up to match what Evander Kane has been giving the team since his threegame suspension ended. Surprises: Patrick Marleau, Barclay Goodrow and Dylan Gambrell are providing the depth and versatility, but more is needed from others in similar roles. Where would this team be without the earlyseason signing of Marleau, which is turning out to be much more than a sentimental gesture for the fans. He still has game. Rookie defenseman Mario Ferraro is exactly as advertised — boundless energy with a heavy heaping of competitive drive. What’s needed: San Jose is on pace to score 238 goals, which is 52 fewer than the clubrecord 289 scored last season and nearly matches the number lost with the departures of Joe Pavelski (38), Joonas Donskoi (14) and Gus Nyquist (6). Kevin Labanc and Goodrow are playing one line higher on a shallow right side. An upgrade is needed on right wing. What’s ahead: The Pacific Division is going to be a dogfight. Edmonton, Vancouver and Arizona are all improved. Vegas and Calgary will be in the mix. No one is going to run away or create separation. As the games tighten up and injuries hit, a veteran team like the Sharks can bubble up, but they can’t let their game slip like it did out of the gate. In the Stars: If it seemed strange to see Corey Perry hit the 1,000game mark recently with the Stars, just imagine when Pavelski does the same as early as Dec. 11 with Dallas. Pavelski has rallied from a slow start to now rank second on the Stars’ scoring list with 12 points (one behind leader Tyler Seguin with 13).
Cherry had to go: Say what you want whether Don Cherry deserved to be fired over inappropriate comments made on a Hockey Night In Canada broadcast last Saturday; the fact is he’s struggled to stay on the rails the past couple of years. If Ron MacLean weren’t there to help Cherry remember names, those segments would never end. It was time for a change long ago.
Briefly: Hertl tweaked his knee late Thursday and is questionable for Saturday’s visit by the Red Wings. … The highflying Oilers are in San Jose for the second straight Tuesday. Expect the Oilers to bring a better effort. Edmonton linemates Leon Draisaitl (41) and Connor McDavid (37) are Nos. 12 in the league scoring race. … Only Columbus is not scheduled to play on Saturday. when 30 teams are in action for the 17th time in NHL history.