LABANC IS MONEY
First career hat trick in rout serves as statement with trade deadline looming
EDMONTON, ALBERTA >> As Canadians indulged in a coast-to-coast celebration of the game they love, the lone American team on the slate played the role of spoilers.
The Sharks stole the spotlight on Hockey Day in Canada, an annual celebration of Canada’s favorite sport, thumping the Edmonton Oilers in a 5-2 win. The Sharks were the only American team that participated in Saturday’s hockey smorgasbord in Canada, a showcase that also featured bouts between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Winnipeg Jets and the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks.
Joe Thornton padded his milestone collection yet again, tying Gordie Howe for ninth place on the NHL’s all-time assists list (1,049) with a pair of helpers and pulling even with Shane Doan and Johnny Bucyk on the league’s games played list by suiting up for his 1,540th career game.
But the night belonged to Kevin Labanc, who recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Sharks to their fifth straight win.
Here’s what we learned as the Sharks improved to 4-0 since All-Star Weekend:
1. LABANC PUTS TOGETHER A CAREER NIGHT AS TRADE DEADLINE LOOMS >> Labanc kicked off the second half with something to prove. He’s making his point.
With the NHL’s Feb. 25 trade deadline looming, Labanc’s spot in the lineup could be an area in which the Sharks look to improve. With the top two lines stacked with Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Timo Meier, Evan-
der Kane, Tomas Hertl and Joonas Donskoi, the team might look to add another top-six caliber forward on the third line with Joe Thornton. Coach Pete DeBoer wants a third line that can tip the scale in the depth of the lineup like the Pittsburgh Penguins did with Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin en route to a pair of Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017. Labanc needs to prove that he can be that guy.
Before the break, DeBoer gave Labanc a look on Logan Couture’s line after rookie Lukas Radil’s game started to backslide and he fumbled the opportunity by making a pair of costly mistakes in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 19, leading to a fourth line demotion.
Heading into the second half, DeBoer spoke bluntly with Labanc about what he needs to do to keep a topnine spot in the lineup.
“We had some good conversations with Kevin. This is the last 30 games of the year and you have to show that you can contribute and be trusted in critical times as we head to the playoffs,” DeBoer said. “I think he’s trying to prove a point.”
Labanc heard the message loud and clear and he’s making a statement with six points in four games since the break.
On Saturday, he looked like the offensively-gifted player that won an Ontario Hockey League scoring title during the 2015-16 season. He scored his first
goal at 10:39 of the opening frame by banking a shot in off Oilers defenseman Kevin Gravel. In the second, he sniped a shot into the roof on the power play. He completed the hat trick at 1:36 of the third by burying a Thornton feed off the rush.
But with Labanc, the key words are always details, consistency and confidence. His offensive talent is indisputable, but he needs to prove that he can stay out of the penalty box (14 minor penalties) and improve his game management by limiting his turnovers, watching his shift length and making smart decisions with the puck.
“I’ve got to show that I’m doing everything that I can to be here,” Labanc said.
2. A GOALIE TRADE AT THE
DEADLINE SEEMS UNLIKELY >> Backup goalie Aaron Dell also took the ice Saturday with something to prove.
As Martin Jones struggled during the first three months of the season, Dell failed to capitalize and spark a goalie controversy, posting an .891 save percentage in 17 appearances. In fairness to Dell, he has run into a lot of tough luck this season, getting hung out to dry by his defense while being on the receiving end of a lot of tough bounces.
Still, at one point, it seemed like a goalie trade involving Dell at the deadline could be a possibility. If Jones’ woes had continued, the Sharks might have wanted to bring in a veteran
netminder to serve as a security blanket down the stretch.
But that seems less necessary now that Jones’ game is rounding back into the form he displayed during his first three seasons in San Jose.
Dell also helped his own cause in his first start since Jan. 16, making 21 saves on 23 shots against the Oilers, a reminder of how good he can be when the Sharks defense limits the number of quality chances that he faces.
If DeBoer lacks confidence in Dell, he could have beaten a lie detector in his postgame scrum with reporters on Saturday.
“That’s the luxury we have here is having (Dell) there ready to come in with a shot of energy on the road in tough buildings,” the Sharks coach said. “That was vintage Aaron Dell tonight.”
3. KANE STAYS HOT >> After the Sharks win in Calgary on Thursday, DeBoer suggested that Kane might be the Sharks best forward since the calendar turned to 2019 on Jan. 1. In reality, he might be the best forward in the league right now.
“He’s been fantastic,” DeBoer said.