Category: San Jose Sharks

Sharks vs Penguins 151201

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Sharks scored two power play goals 50 seconds apart in the second period to put a domineering stamp on the game, up 4-0.  In the third, the Flames broke the shutout, but the Sharks answered 25 seconds later to keep the four goal lead.

Braun and Couture returned to the ice to practice with the team on Monday, but neither is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday. After Saturday’s game, DeMelo and Haley were assigned to the AHL Barracuda.  On Tuesday, Stollery was recalled.

Penguins got to town in time to practice on Monday. They are looking for their first win in San Jose since 1997.  Pens looking for good things from a reunion of Crosby, Dupuis, and Kunitz.  But Maatta is still out. Rookie Warsofsky to make NHL debut tonight.

Sharks vs Flames 151128

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Sharks finally notched a power play goal on home ice, but fall to 3-6-0 at home, losing to the defending Stanley Cup champions. Disappointing, but not the end of the world.

However, there were a few casualties.  Hertl and Wingels were benched for the third period, and called out at Thursday practice.

Braun is out from a staph infection (elbow); no timetable for return.  But it provides an opportunity for Tennyson to show his worth.  Couture is still out after his broken leg, but participated in a full practice with the team on Friday.

On the other side, are the Flames, played Friday in Arizona (losing in OT) before their Saturday game in San Jose. They are sixth in the Pacific Division, 29th in league, with a 3-8-2 road record. Can Sam Bennett be the Flames’ savior?

Ramo played Friday, so logical guess is that Hiller will be the starter for the Flames.

And I’m guessing that Jones will get the start.

Update: DeMelo recalled

Sharks vs Blackhawks 151125

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Sharks come off of a very successful road trip (sixth team in NHL history to sweep 6+ game road trip).  Patrick Marleau scored his 1000th point (and counting).  And the team swept a 6-game road trip for the first time in franchise history. And Couture has started skating (I’d estimate he won’t be back until at least 12/1 game).

For his actions, Martin Jones was named #1 Star of the Week.

Sharks signed Dainius Zubrus to a one year, two-way contract. He’s expected to be in the line up (4th line) on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, back at the Tank, the Sharks have a 3-5-0 record at home.  They have yet to score a power play goal on home ice.  The Sharks would like to have both those things improve. The confidence from their road wins should help.

They’ll have to do it playing the defending Stanley Cup Champions, with hundreds of their fans in attendance (traditionally; especially as an Original Six team, and the only one remaining in the Western Conference). And without Couture; he is still on the IR and no return date has been set.

Chicago is coming off a 3-6 loss in Vancouver on Sunday; they are 1-1-1 through the first three games of their 6-game Circus Trip.  How did they spend the days off since?  Team bonding in Vegas (and they aren’t sharing any details). Teravainen (upper body) is doubtful for Wednesday; more likely for the weekend. Crawford’s starting. Patrick Kane is looking toward US record of 18 straight games scoring a point (currently held by Eddie Olczyk); he’s at 16 games.

Former Sharks on the Chicago roster include Andrew Desjardins (traded for Ben Smith last season), Brandon Mashinter. And you can add in the San Jose connection to Viktor Tikhinov.

Update: Jones starting.  Braun out (day-to-day, upper body); missed practice yesterday too.

Sharks @ Blue Jackets 151122

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Sharks right back at it on Sunday afternoon, in Columbus, looking to complete a perfect road trip.

Marleau notched his milestone 1000th point Saturday in Pittsburgh, leading to a 3-1 win, with goals from Burns (2) and Martin (back visiting his former team). Boughner, Spott and Hedberg were behind the bench with DeBoer out for personal reasons.  (Unclear if he’ll be out for Sunday‘s game as well.)

While in Pittsburgh, Couture hit the ice for the first time in gear since getting a broken leg.  (My guess – he’s out at least another week.  Conditioning needed.)

Saturday’s win put them in a point-wise tie with (idle) Kings for 1st in Pacific Division.

It won’t be easy against Columbus.  Sharks are playing 6 games in 9 days. Jackets are playing 4 games in 6 days. But the Sharks haven’t forgot that 19 days ago the Jackets were the victor at the SAP Center.

Bob will probably be in net.  Bobrovsky had the shutout over Nashville Friday.  Under Tortorella, the Jackets are blocking a lot of shots.

Jackets missing a number of players. Dubinsky out with elbow for weeks. D Goloubef broke his jaw in Friday’s game and is out indefinitely; D Tyutin had an upper body injury and did not complete Friday’s game. Bodnarchuk recalled after Goloubef had surgery for his broken jaw.

Update: Stalock vs Bobrovsky.  DeBoer in NY heading to game (may make game or be late) — arrived before the puck drop.

Sharks @ Penguins 151121

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Sharks won the defensive battle in Philadelphia 1-0 with an odd-man rush in OT.  The Melk Man delivered!  And Jones notched his 10th career shutout.

But Marleau is still sitting at 999 points.  Perhaps he’ll reach the milestone in Pittsburgh?

Penguins have holes in their roster.  Maata is out 3-4 weeks after being hit into open bench door, and overnight hospital stay; Warsofsky recalled from AHL to replace him on the roster. Dupuis is still having issues with blood clots.  But Malkin and Crosby scored to help them win 4-3 over the Avalanche on Thursday (but the GM hasn’t been satisfied with the results so far this season; and the players don’t think major changes are needed). Letang, Hornqvist and Cullen took a maintenance day Friday.

Pittsburgh is 3rd in division. 29th in PP (Sharks have 21st PK) and 6th rated PK (Sharks are 28th in PP).

Saturday is the penultimate game on the Sharks’ road trip, with the finale on Sunday in Columbus.  It might be that Jones gets both starts of the weekend, or the starts are split with Stalock.

Sharks are 4-0 on the six game road trip, so regardless of the results of this weekend’s games, will have a winning record.  SI thinks the Sharks are just getting by on luck, not sound play. (Not accounting for return of Karlsson to NHL lineup?  Line shuffling? And the opponent?  Better to be surprised by attack from below the water/ice by a Shark, I guess.)

Update: Sharks announce DeBoer will not be behind the bench for Saturday’s game due to a personal matter. Jones starting.

Sharks @ Flyers 151119

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After trading goals with Bruins, Sharks pulled ahead, with five different scorers and held on to win in Boston, with four of the five goals scored against the B’s top defensive D/F: Bergeron, Chara.  Marleau notched his 999th point.

On to Philadelphia.  On Tuesday night, they hosted the Kings, losing in shootout. They’ve been playing through some injuries. Streit out 6 weeks after pubic plate detachment surgery (as if I knew what that meant; tl; dr — call it a hip injury). Umberger still out. Neuvirth is ready to return to the lineup. Rookie Gostisbehere,  taking Streit’s roster spot, seems to have provided spark to lineup.

Sharks had an optional practice at Penn State Wednesday (in part because arena had basketball game on Wednesday). Marleau would like to get his 1000th point to get the milestone behind him, and keep earning points.

Update: Mason starting for Philadelphia. Jones starting; same lineup.

Sharks @ Bruins 151117

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Whew.  Sharks won for only the SECOND time in Buffalo.  In OT.  Sigh.

And great to have back-to-back wins (for the first time since the first four games of the season).  Sorry McGinn and Gorges – Sharks won the bragging rights.

Now to continue to notch the wins and increase the points, climbing the division standings.

Next up, the Boston Bruins.

Pastrnak is out with a broken foot.

On Monday, DeBoer indicated that Jones would be starting tonight.

(Dainius Zubrus has signed a PTO and is practicing with team.  Expected to be around for a week before the team makes a decision to sign him or release him.)

Sharks @ Sabres 151114

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Friday night, the Sharks get a 3-2 win over the Red Wings, breaking a losing streak.  But still didn’t score a power-play goal in two attempts.

Saturday, they’re in Buffalo to play the Sabres. Each team has an 8-8-0 record. Major changes to the Buffalo organization over the summer include the hiring of coach Bylsma and drafting of Eichel #2 overall.  Lots of excitement in the city.

The Sabres are on a three-game winning streak.  The Sharks are at a 1-game winning streak (and haven’t put together back-to-back wins since the first four games of the season).  Doesn’t look like Bogosian is ready to return to the lineup against the Sharks.

Since Jones played Friday against the Red Wings, it’s likely that Stalock will get the start against the Sabres.

Update: Former Shark Jamie McGinn expected to skate for Sabres (and former Sharks Josh Gorges). Sabres looking for their first “winning” record since 2013 tonight.

Sharks @ Red Wings 151113

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Two games under 0.500, fourth in the division and ninth in the conference, the Sharks head out on a cross-country road trip, hoping to get some points against the Eastern Conference and get back in a playoff slot.

But that may not be the emphasis of the first game, with the national stage focusing on the pending season debut of Pavel Datsyuk. The Wings are desperate for scoring and hope to get a scoring and emotional lift from his return.  Or the attention might be on Justin Abdelkader and his new 7 year extension.  But Brad Richards and Kyle Quincey will be out.

The Sharks are coming off a disappointing four game homestand, where they had ONE win. And they still haven’t scored a power play goal at home this season, and now are last in the league in PP at 11.4%. On the bright side, has been the return of Melker Karlsson to the lineup from a pre-camp injury; although slated to play on the 3rd line, he was quickly promoted to the top line with the two Joes in an attempt to recoup their chemistry from last season.

Logan Couture is traveling with the team, but is still not healed enough to even start practicing with the team on this trip.

Update: Howard vs Jones. Bottom 3 lines shake up.

Sharks vs Islanders 151110

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The good news from Saturday’s game? Jones/Sharks didn’t let Anaheim score more than one goal.

The bad news?  Sharks didn’t score any goals.  Oh, they were close a few times, including a “off the post” that was originally called a goal, but reversed after review.

The worst news? The Sharks still haven’t scored a power play goal at home.

Time to put that behind and look forward to playing the Islanders, and get some revenge for the loss in Barclay Center last month.  This is the last Sharks home game for a few weeks as the team will set out on a six-game, cross country road trip. (The next home game will be against Chicago the evening before Thanksgiving.)

After Saturday’s game, Cundari, Goldobin, Lerg were assigned to the AHL Barracuda. Melker Karlsson has been looking good in the AHL after a pre-camp injury, and could see a recall before the Sharks head out on the road. And he was recalled Monday; he practiced on the third line.  Smith is still out.  (With the Barracuda heading out on an extended road trip themselves starting on Tuesday in SoCal, I’m thinking there may be some additional recalls for an extra forward or two and a defenseman for the road trip.)  Monday night was the annual Sharks and Strikes bowling charity fundraiser.

The Islanders hosted the Bruins Sunday, losing 1-2, their second loss in a row. On Monday, they called up Adam Pelech (younger brother of former Shark Matt Pelech); he could make his NHL debut against the Sharks. The Islanders (7-5-3) head to California for a 3-game trip, landing in San Jose first. The Islanders are looking for offense on this trip.

Sharks need to get out of their two-game losing slump and extend the Islanders’.  Including the AHL Barracuda, in the six games so far this month, there are only two wins on home ice.

Update: Goldobin and Mueller recalled Tuesday morning. Jones confirmed as Sharks starter.  Former Shark Thomas Greiss named starter for Islanders; no word if the other former Shark on Islanders roster, Steve Bernier, will be in lineup.