Barracuda vs Reign PDSF Game 1 160422

Barracuda host the Reign for the first game in the best of five, first round series.  The Cuda host game 2 on Saturday; play then shifts to Ontario for the last three games in the series (including games 4 and 5, if needed).

Barracuda’s record against the Reign was 3-6-3-0 this season.

This series is in the shadow of their NHL parents’ playoff series.

Here’s hoping the Cuda are stingy, unwelcoming hosts and get the win!

AHL Series preview | Sportsnet AHL Calder Cup preview

Barracuda twitter list | Opponent twitter | Barracuda preview | Gackle preview

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AHL game summary | Barracuda recap

Dell played well, but the Cuda lose game 1, 1-2.

Sharks @ Kings PDSF Game 5 160422

Sharks leading the series 3-1.  Kings, with pride, will be doing all they can to force a game 6 on Sunday.

This is the Sharks’ NINETEENTH straight playoff game against the Kings.  And the Sharks would really like to get another opponent for #20.

Sharks need to show their killer instinct, ala real life sharks, and get this series over.  Let’s prove that a good road record is all it can be.

News links

Sharks vs Kings PDSF Game 4 160420 postgame

Sharks got their power play going — and it was the only way they scored.  But they got three on the scoreboard.

And they kept the Kings to only two goals.

No goals scored in the first period

The Tank was rocking.  Think the fans helped energize the team after a couple of icings (when there was no time out — used on coach’s challenge for goalie interference on King’s first goal).

Postgame links

Sharks vs Kings PDSF Game 4 160420

The past is the past. Put it behind you and concentrate on the game at hand.

The Kings have been able to shut down the depth scoring of the Sharks.  (Only the top line and top PP units have scored for the Sharks; and the top D pairing.)

Time for some more bruises tonight.

(Start time for Friday’s game 5 has been set for 7:30)

Pregame news/links

Sharks vs Kings PDSF Game 3 160418

Sharks score first? Check.  Sharks limit the offense of the Kings – kinda.

Intensity ratchets up as the Kings score (on PP) to tie it up in the first, and it’s a defensive battle until (the first) OT.  Kings score 3:47 in.

Sharks seemed to be griping their sticks tight the whole night.  Lots of flubbed passes (not tape to tape), some miscues, etc.

News links (highlights or lowlights):

Sharks @ Kings PDSF Game 2 – 160416 (postgame)

Kings were unable to solve former backup Jones for more than 74 minutes (game 1 into 2), and it took the fifth power play of game 2.

But prior to that, the Sharks had already scored twice.

With a final flurry that the Sharks weathered with Quick pulled, and the Sharks take the 2-0 series lead.

Kings do not seem to be able to match the Sharks speed; the Sharks are taking the hits (and drawing penalties for the illegal actions) the Kings are dishing and bending not breaking.

Sharks radio analyst Hedican commented that Quick’s rebounds were going to dangerous areas, helping the Sharks take advantage.

Gaborik returned to the lineup, but was not a major factor.  Only Lecavalier scored past Jones.

News links (Pregame news/links)

Sharks @ Kings PDSF Game 2 – 160416 (pregame)

Sharks lead the series 1-0. Special teams were key in game 1.  And they were resilient when they fell behind the Kings, even giving up a short handed goal.

Kings may have lost Martinez to injury after game one.  They have recalled D Kevin Gravel after Martinez missed second half of game.  Regardless of Gravel’s participation, Doughty is prepared to play more minutes, if that is needed in Martinez’s absence. The Kings are concerned with the Sharks faceoff wins, especially in the offensive zone.

Update: Sharks – no lineup changes planned.  Kings – Martinez out, McBain in (NHL playoff debut); Gaborik cleared to play, game time decision

News links:

Sharks @ Kings PDSF Game 1 – 160414

And game 1 is in the books.  Sharks were able to overcome bad luck and some dubious officiating to get the win.

The Sharks scored seven goals: four behind Quick and two own goals; plus the officials missed crediting the Sharks for a goal.  (So the final score could have been 7-1?)

NHL playoff rookies Donskoi, Karlsson and Tierney played quite well.

Kings did not play as well as they could, so even with the Sharks up 1-0 in the series, all that means is there’s three more wins needed, and they get harder to get the further you go.

Kings lost Martinez (missed 1+ periods).  And Gaborik didn’t play.

There’s at least another three tough games in this series.

Links:

Series preview: Round 1 – Sharks vs Kings

The Kings and Sharks face each other for the fourth time in the playoffs.  Kings have won two series (both seven games), Sharks have won one (six games).  Sharks won the 15-16 regular season series 3-2.

NHL Statistics

Sharks twitter list
Twitter list of opponent news
Former Sharks on opponent:  GM Dean Lombardi, coach Darryl Sutter

Kings ended the regular season on a bit of a slump (4-5-1 in last ten), losing out on winning the division.  The word that comes up in many of the series previews is that the Kings play “heavy,” a factor that many pundits claim will be the difference in the series. Kings led the league in hits with 2495 (30.4/game). And  they missed the playoffs last season.  They have a few banged up players who may miss the start of the series.  They have two Stanley Cups for the franchise.

The Sharks were two games under 0.500 at home, but led the league in wins on the road (including an early season 6-0 road trip).  They ended the season on a 5-5-0 run, coming up shy for division lead or even 2nd.  The Sharks also missed the playoffs last year.  They added a better goalie (tandem) and some veteran experience and leadership.  There’s even a new coach.

But what does all that mean for the series?  Well, most pundits are picking the series to go to seven games (regardless of the winning team), and one of the most watchable/sexy of the opening round series.

In my heart of hearts, I dream of the Sharks so dominating the Kings they sweep the series, busting the brackets of many.

It will be a hatred-filled, physical series.  It could be decided based on quality of depth.  (Interesting tidbit — if the Sharks’ AHL franchise, the San Jose Barracuda, make the Calder Cup playoffs, they’ll be facing the Kings’ AHL franchise, the Ontario Reign in the first round.  Hatred abounds.) Or the luck of the bouncing puck or (seemingly) capriciousness of officiating.  (With the Sharks having the better power play, the Kings may have to be on their best behavior to avoid tempting fate.)

With the majority of (EAST COAST) pundits not late night fans of California hockey, I take a lot of the pundits’ predictions and toss ’em.  They are based on stats (e.g., Kings are #1 in hits) and “ancient” (two seasons ago) events.  They forget that Sharks thrive in the deep waters, unseen, until they make their killing lunge; so too may these pundits be underestimating what the NHL Sharks have prepared themselves to do this post season.

The Sharks forwards average 6′ 1″, and 202.8 pounds; defense 6′ 2″ and 212.8.  The Kings forwards average an inch taller, 4 pounds heavier; their defense about 1/2″ taller, but average three pounds lighter (209.4).  Not an overwhelming difference (collectively).  Both teams have run the gauntlet of the Western Conference “Group of Death,” as well as the Sharks enduring the most grueling travel schedule of any NHL team this season.

Both teams know the effort it will take in the playoffs, and are willing combatants.  It comes down to will vs will on each side, with the physical ability (skill) to do so when the bruises get added on to every shift.

There are times I think the Sharks play better (challenge brings out the competitiveness) when the hits are hard/frequent and the teams well matched.  But I know they play the best when it’s every player participating and playing his best. It’ll be up to Captain Pavelski, the Sharks vets/leadership and Coach DeBoer to get that 18+2 cylinder (diesel) engine warmed up and ready to push through the toughest terrain/opponent to be the only team to sixteen wins this season.

Kings may have two Stanley Cups, but discount the Sharks and you’ll be chum.

Links to previews:

Updates:

The Summer Knows – part 5: How well have the changes to the roster improved the Sharks?

And so she takes
Her Summertime
Tells the moon to wait
And the sun to linger
Twist the world
Round her summer finger

SJ Merc: Purdy: Have Sharks’ offseason moves made them a playoff team?

NHL roster departures:  Antii Niemi, Scott Hannan, Matt Irwin, John Scott

NHL roster additions:  Martin Jones, Paul Martin, Joel Ward

Is all of that going to be enough for a major boost in the standings? One of The Hockey News’ numerical meat grinders performed some calculations using the WAR (wins-against-replacement) statistic and declared that as a team, the Sharks have so far had the NHL’s second-best offseason in terms of boosting their victory expectations.

By the WAR metric, the Sharks have added 3.3 wins to their roster compared with a year ago. Only the Buffalo Sabres did better, with an addition of 4.4 wins.

And even with an additional 3.3 wins purely by these personnel changes, the Sharks still would not have made the playoffs in the 2014-15 season, being 10 points out (so needing those 6 WAR points AND at least five more from somewhere).

What needs to happen for the Sharks to return to the playoffs?  And is that enough to be a realistic contender for the Stanley Cup?

The Sharks will have to improve from within or upgrade the players further, plus get their mojo and fans back, to accomplish either.  (Or multiple teams ahead of them in the standings will have to fall back.)

First, the WAR metric does not address the issues of no captain and a new coach.

At the Sharks STH town hall (and reiterated in 7/23 radio interview), new head coach Peter DeBoer indicated the team will have a captain before the start of the season. So any issues with fractured leadership should be a thing of the past.  (But from the outside, I don’t think that leadership by committee was that big a deficit.) However, a single leader will allow the team to focus on supporting and following one man, and stop the speculation and distraction from not having one.  Very hard to discern the difference this will make.

A new coach and staff will bring new ideas to the team and play on the ice. The Sharks defensive play and PK are two areas that need to provide improve. (There are rumors that one or more additional assistant coaches will be added to the mix, so until that is finalized, and each coach’s responsibilities know, it’s just a guess as to what the team can accomplish with the new staff.)

Second, the WAR metric does not address the issue of a healthy Raffi Torres.

Torres may help the team draw more penalties with his abrasive style. In 2014-15, the Sharks drew 852 minutes of penalties, and had an efficacy rate 6th in the league at 21.6%.  In 2013-14, the Sharks drew 921 minutes of penalties, but only had an efficacy 20th in the league at 17.2%. So, in 14-15, even though they drew less penalties than the previous season, they got more results.  But with a healthy, Torres, they could increase the number of man advantage opportunities, and if they improve PP% further, they could add goals, leading to more wins.

In 14-15, Sharks had 31 one-goal games, including 9 regulation losses, and 15 that needed extra time. In 13-14, the Sharks had 43 one-goal games, 9 regulation losses, and 22 that needed extra time. So, those extra goals can help with those one-goal game deficits.

Third, the WAR metric does not address the mindset (and culture) of the team.

After their 2014 playoff fall out, some pundits have speculated that the malaise that precipitated it continued into the new season.  The team’s confidence definitely took a drop this past season.

Having clear leadership with a new captain, and a new voice and style from the coaching staff, may be exactly what is needed to revitalize and reinvigorate the psyches of the players and restore and renew the confidence that deteriorated.

Update 7/25: Couture mentions that he and other players will be motivated after a playoff miss.

Fourth, the WAR metric does not address the impact of fan support of the team.

The Sharks are known for a big home rink advantage, but 2014-15 definitely did not have it. Way before their February 2015 swoon, when the Sharks had no home wins for the month, their fan support was waning.

In 2014-15, the Sharks were tied for 10th with 18 home ROWs (regulation, overtime wins) and had one SOW (shoot out win).  In 2013-14, the Sharks were tied for 4th with 24 home ROWs, plus had five SOWs.

In 2014-15, the Sharks had only 24 sell outs. In 2013-14, they sold out their full season.

And what fans were there for home games in the 2015 calendar year, often voiced their displeasure at the home team based on the on-ice results (regardless of who was to blame: players, coaches, GM, owner, etc., which is beyond the scope of this article). Excluding some diehards, the arena often was half empty or more by the end of a losing game.

Thousands of season ticket holders did not renew their seats for the upcoming season (based on observed available seats at the select-a-seat event). Especially with the INCREASE in Sharks STH pricing.  The team has not announced (that I recall seeing) the STH retention %, nor the number of new STH.

Regardless of the changes made to date, I still get the sense that many fans are not happy that the ownership retained the GM, much less the ticket price increase.

Even with the lure of the 25th anniversary season, it may be that the team does not sell out at home and get the full support of the fans behind them until they  prove themselves on the ice.

(It won’t help attendance that the newly relocated AHL Barracuda will be sharing the arena and may be the focus of some Sharks fans on the future “stars” of the NHL team, rather than many of the aging stars of the current NHL roster that has not produced. This hockey option will be a much more affordable one compared to the NHL ticket pricing.)

 

Expectations from those external to the organization may be lessened with most pundits thinking there’s no way the Sharks can return to the playoffs after just a handful of player and coaching moves.

Internal expectations and goals are still high (that the team will be able to make the playoffs AND go far).

What the reality will be won’t be known until the “opening night” roster is set and the puck drops on a new season.

But there is hope that the 25th Anniversary season 2015-2016 could be the best yet.

(And GM Wilson’s oft repeated mantra: he’s always looking to improve the team. And he’ll work on the 2015-16 roster until the trade deadline.)