Sharks @ Canadiens 151215

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Sharks managed to get zero goals against the Wild, with their new configuration. A six-game winless streak. Carpenter was returned to the AHL after making his NHL debut Saturday. Before the team left Monday, Ben Smith was recalled from his conditioning stint and Barclay Goodrow was also recalled.  Couture is not traveling with the team on this trip, recovering from emergency surgery to repair an arterial leak in his thigh.

Sharks start a five game cross-country road trip that fills the days before the Christmas break.  They start in arguably one of the most hallowed cathedrals of hockey in Montreal. The team is hoping for a good road trip like the last one they had, not continuing to be mediocre, points from the bottom of the division.  And hoping that the players added over the summer prove out.

Tokarski is starting for the Habs who are starting to count the days before they participate in the Winter Classic against the Bruins in Boston. They host the Sharks and Kings before hitting the road until after the New Year.  Former Shark Torrey Mitchell is expected to be in the lineup after missing four weeks. Paul Byron started the season with the Calgary Flames and was picked up on waivers; he is now centering the top line.  Gallagher is still on the shelf; Price not expected back until the middle of January.

Sharks vs Wild 151212

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Sharks continued to play poorly and added to their losing streak (now at five games).  Couture missed the third period with a Charlie Horse in his thigh, and on returning to San Jose had emergency surgery to repair an arterial leak; out indefinitely. Vlasic returned to practice on Friday and may be available to play Saturday.

Ben Smith has been activated from IR and assigned to the Barracuda on a conditioning stint. Mueller has been assigned to the Barracuda, and Ryan Carpenter has been recalled to the NHL for the first time (could make his debut Saturday if Nieto is not available).

Another double header day (which scouts love).  Tonight is Mike Rathje alumni night.  But it’s a single home game before another long road trip leading up to Christmas.

Jones scheduled to start for the Sharks.

On the Wild’s side, they lost in Arizona Friday, with Kuemper starting; Dubnyk is out this weekend.  Backstrom could get the start Saturday.

Barracuda vs Gulls 151212

Barracuda have had the week to practice.  Mueller assigned; Carpenter recalled. Ben Smith assigned on conditioning stint with team.  Goldobin is looking for consistency while playing in AHL.

With a win and some opponent losses, the Barracuda could be in a playoff position by the end of the weekend.

The Barracuda are collecting food, handing out scarfs for Saturday’s first game of the double header.

Gulls were shut out in Bakersfield Friday night.  A proud team, they will be looking for some points on Saturday afternoon.

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Dell started, but was pulled early in 1st after giving up 3 goals.  Barracuda shut out 0-5.

Sharks @ Oilers 151209

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A rusty Couture was not enough to counter the tide of Calgary’s offense. Jones was pulled after giving up four goals (even though the last was disallowed for being offside).

Sharks face their former coach for the first time. Jones back in net.  Edmonton looking at how tight the standings are and hoping to climb the division rankings with a win (their 4th in a row).  Sharks are hoping not to have a fifth sequential loss.

Sharks @ Flames 151208

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Sharks still have not won a game this season when they’ve tailed after 20 minutes. While the effort was there to get to within one goal by the final buzzer, there are no points for losing in regulation.

Sharks head to Alberta for a couple of back-to-back games.  First up: Calgary.

And they’ll have to do it without Vlasic, out with a lower body injury, who did not even travel with the team. But they may have Couture, who was activated from the IR before the team left California.  (There were some recalls and assignments to/from the AHL, but it washed out.) Smith put on IR (concussion).

Barracuda vs Condors 151205

Barracuda look to get a home win streak going, and get above 0.500 for the season.

Game start is about 18 hours after last night’s start.  So here’s hoping that the boys got a good night’s sleep and refueled well.  Condors had their last game 18 hours apart as well, and they had to travel.

Haley assigned, Mueller recalled.

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Defense was not on display Saturday.

While the Condors struck first, the Barracuda notched four goals in the first to send starter Scrivens to the bench in the second.

But the Condors came back to tie it at 4-4; and then 5-5 and finally 6-6.

And 23 seconds into OT, Goodrow completed his hat trick and the Barracuda have a home win streak.

Boys get a couple of days off and have a number of days to practice before another Barracuda-Sharks double header next Saturday.

Sharks vs Lightning 151205

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Friday night, the Sharks were in SoCal. Jones let one goal in, and no Shark could get one past Gibson.

Back at it on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Stalock probable starter for the Sharks.

Lightning’s head coach Cooper signed a multi-year extension on Friday.  Lots of talk about Stamkos possibly on the trade block if not re-signed as his contract expires in June and he’ll be a UFA. Drouin may be the player to keep an eye on.

Sharks Foundation collecting toys with Marine Corps for Toys for Tots before game.

Haley assigned, Mueller recalled.

Barracuda vs Heat 151204

Friday is the first of two back-to-back games: evening against Stockton on Friday, and afternoon (starting 18 hours after previous game) against Bakersfield on Saturday. At least there’s no travel.

On Wednesday, the Barracuda had their Season Ticket Holder Christmas party.

Dell and Grosenick are still splitting games.  When will the true #1 goalie step out of the shadows to claim the crease?

DeMelo and Haley were recalled to NHL; Mueller assigned to AHL, and is seeing the benefit of playing in AHL.  Timmons is out perhaps a month with a knee sprain.

Former Shark Freddie Hamilton will be returning to San Jose tonight.

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Dell started and got the 5-3 win. Stockton made it a game getting within one goal late in the 3rd, but the Barracuda win at home, and back to 0.500 for the season.

Sharks @ Ducks 151204

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The Sharks could only get one goal past Fleury, while the Pens got many more behind Jones.  There was nearly a 15 minute period where the Sharks did not have a single shot on goal!  Definitely room for improvement (but only slightly better than some of the stinkers @ SAP this season). Still a losing record at home.

Mirco Mueller was assigned to the AHL Barracuda after Tuesday’s game.

On the road the Sharks go for one game in SoCal. Owen Nolan will be making his broadcasting debut on the radio with Dan Rusanowsky for the game.

Sharks will have their hands full with an improving Ducks team that lost to the Lightning Wednesday night.  (Before they return to SJ for a Saturday game hosting those same Lightning.)

Jones is expected to start on Friday.  (And Stalock may start Saturday.)