Category: San Jose Sharks

Sharks vs Penguins Stanley Cup Final Game 3 160604

Sharks head home down 0-2.

UPDATE: Hertl out; Karlsson or Zubrus to be on top line tonight

Game 2 pregame thoughts

I had family in town and was unable to watch game 2.  Perhaps that was for the best.

Scoreless in the first.  Penguins score first in the second.  Sharks tie it up in the third.  And Penguins get the game winner early in the first OT.

Sigh.

Many pundits are backing away from their predictions and swapping horses (from the Sharks), touting the Sharks inability to handle the Penguins speed, poor faceoff win ratio, the Sharks dependence on the power play (and the Penguins discipline in not giving them many opportunities), and the silence of the top two lines offensively.  And that 89.2% of teams up 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals win them, plus the Sharks have never won a playoff series after being down 0-2.

And yet, the Sharks have yet to play one game of this series at home.  And they’ve never been in the Stanley Cup Finals before.  All the games have been one-goal games, with the game winning goal scored in the last few minutes of the third period or OT.

So, just toss those stats out the window (see #9 from former captain Bob Errey).

The Sharks will be energized by their home fans.  And perhaps the SAP Center ice won’t be allowing the Penguins to use their speed as effectively.

There are sixty (or more) minutes of hockey to be played on Saturday.

Time to show up in teal, and root the boys on.

My pregame playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTYGRdTUEnKXb4K-Qm552Ywhj2kvviBgF

Sharks @ Penguins Stanley Cup Final Game 2 160601

O.M.G.  Sharks are playing hockey in JUNE!!

Game 1 postgame thoughts

It has been announced that Justin Braun will leave the team after game 2 to attend his father-in-law’s funeral.  (Sounds like he won’t miss any game time and be back in the lineup for game 3.)

Line up changes:  Nieto in.  Game time decision as to who will not be in.  Rust is game time decision for the Pens.

Sharks have promised to make the necessary changes (and play without nerves) for game 2.

I think this game will be better to show how the two teams match up.

#FinishPitt

Sharks @ Penguins Stanley Cup Final Game 1 160530

And it begins.

SCF series preview

The first 20 minutes won’t be a good memory.  The Sharks came out tentatively (and probably nerves), and let the Penguins dictate play for the most part.  They gave up two goals and were outshot 15-4.

After regrouping in the first intermission, the Sharks had a much better period with Hertl (PPG) and Marleau scoring, and outshotting the Penguins 13-8.

The third period was back and forth, with the Sharks doing well to weather the 18 SOGs (to the 9 for the Sharks), but a little out of position and a broken stick gave the Penguins the GWG with about two and a half minutes to play.  Marleau also took a hit-to-head minor on Rust; no supplemental discipline will be levied, but Rust is out day-to-day.

Disappointing, but this is not a one game series.  Still, there will be some tweaks and many are excited over the speed and play that game 1 showed that might extend through the series.

Sharks – Penguins Stanley Cup Final series preview

25th Franchise anniversary.  Still making history, with first Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Pittsburgh Penguins Twitter list

Former Sharks on Penguins: Nick Bonino (former prospect); Mike Sullivan, Head Coach; Bill Guerin, Assistant General Manager; Jay Leach, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Associate Coach; Bob Errey, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Color Analyst

Other Pittsburgh connections:  1997 draftees Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau; 2012 draftees Tomas Hertl and Chris Tierney; former Penguins Paul Martin, Nick Spaling

To advance this far in the playoffs, you have to be good offensively and defensively.  Sharks are leading in goals for, goals against, power play %, shots against.  Sharks have the top three scorers in the playoffs (Pavelski, Couture, Burns).

Sharks forwards average a year and a half older, more than 11 pounds heavier, and 3/4″ taller than the Pittsburgh forwards.  Sharks defense are about an inch taller, more than ten pounds heavier and about 18 months older than their Penguins counterparts.   The Sharks should be able to play a more physical game, but do have speed that the Penguins might not expect.

One story line is the nine years between Finals appearances for the Penguins vs the first time for the Sharks.  And the Sharks ease/experience of travel will tip the balance as we advance through the series.

And while the NHL Sharks and Penguins go at it, their ECHL affiliates, Allen and Wheeling, are fighting it out for the Kelly Cup, a first in the ECHL.

How I think the finals might go: Early on, the Sharks will be emphasizing defense as they test out the Penguins physically, then they’ll push offensively.  Sharks in 6.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 6 160525 postgame

Wow.  Sharks win!!! They’re going to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in the 25th year of existence.

Game 6 pregame news/notes

Pavelski opened up the scoring in the first on a wrap around.  Ward scored goals in the 2nd and 3rd (including series winning goal) — that third period goal was the last nail in the coffin of the Blues per post game comments from Hitchcock.  Donskoi and Couture also scored.  Tarasenko managed two goals – his first in the series – but it was too little, too late.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 6 160525

It’s time to #SilenceTheBlues for this season.  Game 6.

Game 5 postgame news/notes

For the Blues, Wednesday night, it’s win or go home. Sharks lead the series 3-2, and a win would advance them to their first Stanley Cup Finals (and win the Clarence S Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions). It’s the Sharks 100th game this season (regular and post).

The Blues have announced that Elliott will be back in net for game 6.

Sharks need to show their killer instinct and take the Blues out.  Just worry about this game.  (Add all the cliches needed.)

It’s time to #SilenceTheBlues for this season.  Game 6.

Sharks @ Blues Western Conference Final Game 5 160523 postgame

Sharks are now the furthest they have ever been in the postseason, with their 11th win.  (Fifth on the road.)  One more win to advance to the fourth round, and it’ll be hardest yet with the Blues facing elimination.

Game 5 pregame news/notes

The Sharks opened the scoring, the Blues took the lead. The Sharks tied it up and the Blues took the lead again. But then the Sharks poured on the goals, with four unanswered to clinch the win.  The Sharks were 2-3 in power play opportunities and kept the Blues to one goal in three man advantage opportunities.

Got a bit chippy with a couple of fights, with some extra minors handed out.  But the Sharks were, for the most part, playing hard and ignoring the extracurriculars.

Pavelski (2 goals including GWG, 1 assist tonight) and Couture (1 assist tonight) tying league lead for points, etc.  Seem to be setting a new record every game.  Ward had two goals as well.

Jones bounced back from his last bad (half) game, making the saves when he needed to.

Sharks have kept Tarasenko scoreless through the series.

Next up: the Clarence S Campbell Bowl will be in the house Wednesday night.  Game 6 at the Tank.

Sharks @ Blues Western Conference Final Game 5 160523

Series tied 2-2.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their team.

Game 4 postgame notes

This post season, the Sharks have bounced back after a horrendous game (i.e., PDSF game 4->5; PDF game 6->7), so the Sharks have it in them to make game 5 a win.  The only Sharks forward who did not have a shot on goal last game was Marleau.

About 80% of teams who win game 5 go on to win series.  Two more wins needed to clinch series.

Backes and Fabri are said to be “game time decisions”; neither participated in morning skate, but sounds like they may go.

Guessing this will be a close game.  But Sharks on top.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 4 160521 postgame

Good last 20 minutes of play, but the first 40 minutes doom Sharks.  Series tied 2-2.

Pregame news/links

Jones gave up 4 before being pulled; Reimer got some ice time in relief (and gave up a goal).  The Sharks vaunted power play let in a SHG and failed to get any pucks past Allen.

The Sharks were down 0-4 after forty minutes and did all their scoring in the last period.  3-6 with the ENG.

The Blues captain Backes played 5:34 in the first and did not play for the rest of the game. In postgame interviews, Hitchcock was coy about why he didn’t play and what his availability for game 5 will be.

But one bad game does not a series make.  Time to put it behind you and focus on the game to be played “today”.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 4 160521

Will the Blues make a series of it by winning Saturday, or will the Sharks take a stranglehold?

Game 3 postgame thoughts

The Blues seem unable to match up against the Sharks.  Coach Hitchcock has made line changes, changed personnel.  Now he’ll try a different goalie.

Special guests for game 4

And if you want to watch the first episode (29 minutes, with all of the 4-letter words kept in) of the All Access Quest for the Cup, following the four remaining teams…