Puck Ponderings

Pregame news/links

Stalock was the surprise starter. Niemi took a bad puck in morning skate, so Stalock was notified he’d be starting in the afternoon.

Vlasic left the first after a hard hit into the boards and was held out for precautionary reasons, but could be back soon.

Brown got an apparent knee injury in the second, and had to be helped off the ice and into the dressing room; sounds like he’ll be out “awhile”.

Karlsson, in his NHL debut, missed a chuck of the game, but did return.

But the Sharks rallied and after leading 2-0 and letting Oilers get back into the game, scored three more on the night to put an exclamation mark on the game, winning 5-2.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

• Highlights
• SharksStats Dec 09, 10:36pm via Twitter Web Client Joe Pavelski now with 205 career goals, one behind Owen Nolan for 2nd on the Sharks all-time list.
• DanRusanowsky 11:20pm via Twitter for Websites FINAL: #SJSharks 5 @EdmontonOilers 2. Listen to the Instant Replay radio podcast here: chirb.it/CdBEqv @BretHedican @KFOX
• SharksStats 8:03am via Twitter Web Client Couture is now tied-5th in Sharks history in game-winning goals: Marleau 85, Cheechoo 36, Pavelski 31, Thornton 28, Sturm 27, Couture 27
• Pavelski pgv
• Goodrow pgv
• Stalock pgv
• McLellan pgv

San Jose Mercury News

• Sharks beat Oilers 5-2
• WTC: Sharks vs. Oilers postgame: Keeping track of an injury-filled day/night

CSN Bay Area/California

• Game thread
• Instant Replay: Pavelski, Sharks avenge Oilers with 5-2 win
• Sharks overcome several in-game injuries to beat Oilers
• Shot of the Game: Pavelski finishes tic-tac-toe passing play

The Gackle Report

• Goodrow Scores First NHL Goal, Vlasic and Brown Injured In Sharks Win

San Francisco Chronicle

• Pavelski’s 2 goals lead Sharks past Oilers

Neutral Centric News

NHL

• Recap
• PR_NHL Dec 09, 10:37pm via Hootsuite With 0-2—2 in #EDMvsSJS, Joe Thornton took sole possession of 40th on the all-time NHL points list w/ 1,218, one point behind Jean Béliveau.
• NHL 11:00pm via Sprinklr Now this is how you celebrate your first career goal. Well done @bgoodrow23. pic.twitter.com/rlSOI1DyrR

AP Recap

Sports Network Recap

NBC/PHT

• O

Puck Daddy

• SOTN: #3 Pavelski

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Edmonton Oilers

• Recap

Edmonton Journal

• Edmonton Oilers faceoff ace Boyd Gordon sidelined by ailing back
• Live: Oilers at Sharks, Dec. 9
• San Jose Sharks bite back, beat Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Sun

• This Shark bites
  Wingels feature
• Oilers vs. Sharks snapshots

SBN: Copper and Blue

• More of the Same

TV: CSN CA

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

So, to distract the distraught fan base after Sunday’s loss, the team released their annual holiday video:  Holiday Sweater (you need to watch all the way to the end, including the credits).

Tyler Kennedy has been put on IR.  Forward has been recalled from Worcester and should be available for Tuesday’s game.  Troy Grosenick should be healthy enough to be activated from IR and assigned (back) to Worcester on Tuesday.

Karlsson recalled from Worcester. Niemi starting.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

• Great White Blog
• Sharks Weekly
• DanRusanowsky 1:28pm via Twitter for Websites TONIGHT: #SJSharks radio vs. @EdmontonOilers. On at 7 pm. @KFOX, affiliates w/@BretHedican & me. Preview here: chirb.it/pqraby
• Pregame report
• Braun
• Karlsson
• Couture
• Wingels
• Nieto
• Vlasic
• McLellan

San Jose Mercury News

• WTC: Streaks end with an almost too predictable loss to Oilers — and a few more choice words from Drew Remenda on his old gig and his new one
• Sharks’ Dillon eager to make good impression with new team
• Melker Karlsson to make NHL debut for Sharks vs. Oilers
• WTC: Sharks vs. Oilers pregame: Sharks look for faster start, updates on Kennedy and Nieto

CSN Bay Area/California

• Sharks’ year of transition showing signs of promise
• Sharks’ Kennedy out indefinitely, forward on way from AHL
• In the Crease: Sharks open another homestand with Oilers
• Injuries keeping Sharks third line in flux
• Sharks seek better start vs. Oilers

The Gackle Report

• Kennedy, Nieto Injuries Latest Setbacks For Sharks Third Line
• Rink Notes: Karlsson Brings ‘Character and Commitment’ to Sharks

Neutral Centric News

NHL

• Preview
• Non-playoff teams in West have turned things around

AP preview

Sports Network preview

NBC/PHT

• Oilers end 11-game losing streak with first Western win
• Dillon getting adjusted to Sharks style after November trade
• PHT Morning Skate: Sharks rap for the holidays, Rangers warm our hearts

USA Today

• Fantasy: Niemi, Sharks tough to beat at home

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Edmonton Oilers

• Preview

Edmonton Journal

• Cult of Hockey: Six things to like (!) about the Edmonton Oilers
• Relieved Oilers look to build on victory

Edmonton Sun

• Oilers head to California looking to build on win against Sharks
• Matt Hendricks draws in at centre for Oilers versus San Jose Sharks

SBN: Copper and Blue

• Nikita Nikitin Placed On Injured Reserve
• Oilers vs Sharks Part II – Full Coverage
• Oilers @ Sharks Game 28 Preview
• Brandon Davidson Recalled From The Barons

So, the Sharks did not repeat their futile effort that was a 57-save shutout against Fasth last season.  Nor did they do what Edmonton did to them in the 1992-3 season (ultimate winning opponent in Sharks NHL record-tying 17-game loosing streak). But, they did not score more goals than the home team. There were a number of “just missed” connecting puck and stick and popping into an open net (not to mention the takeaways).

Retribution can come quickly, as the teams will meet in San Jose on Tuesday.

Nieto and Kennedy were out injured.  A bit hard to recall players from Worcester (who were in the Canadian Maritimes for weekend games), and because of the crazy intra-Canada charter rules.  If Nieto and Kennedy are not able to return for Tuesday’s rematch (and/or soon), I’d expect 1-2 forwards to be recalled.

(Sharks nominally fly home after a game.  No practice scheduled/day off Monday.  Back at things on Tuesday to face the Oilers again.  Edmonton will probably fly in on Monday to prep for Tuesday’s game.)

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

• Stalock pgv
• Dillon pgv
• McGinn pgv
• McLellan pgv
• DanRusanowsky Dec 08, 6:25am via Twitter for Websites LISTEN:@EdmontonOilers 2 #SJSharks 1 FINAL. The Instant Replay radio podcast is here: chirb.it/fxgdLB

San Jose Mercury News

• TV analyst Drew Remenda reunited with San Jose Sharks for a night
• Sharks lose to Oilers 2-1

CSN Bay Area/California

• Sharks’ Stadium Series sweaters possibly leaked
• Instant Replay: Oilers put end to Sharks’ win streak
• Shot of the Game: McGinn scores off Marleau’s backhand saucer

Neutral Centric News

NHL

• Recap

AP recap

Sports Network recap

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Edmonton Oilers

• RECAP: Oilers 2, Sharks 1

Edmonton Journal

• Oilers snap 11-game winless skid
• Oilers post-game: Win over Sharks snaps 11-game skid

Edmonton Sun

• Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins decides players need rest more than a morning skate
• Jones: Edmonton Oilers stop multiple streaks with win over San Jose Sharks
• In his first start since early November, Sharks goalie Alex Stalock was sharp against Oilers
• Oilers take advantage of tired Sharks to halt losing streak at 11

SBN: Copper and Blue

• Streak Snapped

TV: CSN CA

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

Sharks finish up their two games in two days road trip in Edmonton. This is the start of a home-and-home between the teams (meeting again on Tuesday at The Tank); and the teams will meet up again 9 days later (Thursday 9/18). Lots of opportunity to get familiar with the opponent and remember retribution to be exacted.

On Friday, the Oilers called a press conference, not to announce firings/last-chance-warnings to GM nor coach, but to essentially accomplish nothing but bring their poor start to the forefront of discussion. While the team has some undeniable talent, with all their “first overall” draftees, they just have not been able to get the right balance (especially with experienced, from-winning-tradition vets teaching the kids). The Oilers are once more at/near the bottom of the division/conference/league standings. They are on an 11 game losing streak (NHL record is 17 — Sharks are one of two teams tied for that record from their 2nd season). The Oilers have not played since Wednesday.

Stalock expected in nets for the Sharks. Kennedy is out with upper body injury; Torres and Grosenick on IR.

Fasth will be the starter for Oilers.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

• Great White Blog
• Marleau
• Stalock
• Goodrow

San Jose Mercury News

• NHL: San Jose Sharks getting big play from Tommy Wingels

CSN Bay Area/California

• In the Crease: Sharks to play three of next five vs. Oilers

Neutral Centric News

NHL

• Preview

AP preview

Sports Network preview

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Edmonton Oilers

• Preview

Edmonton Journal

• John MacKinnon: Lowly Oilers stuck in spin cycle
• Oilers players insist ‘pressure’ firmly on them
• Struggling Oilers staying the course
• ‘For us now, every game is a playoff game’: Oilers aim to halt winless skid

Edmonton Sun

• Jones: Oilers in a holding pattern
• Steady as she goes for the sinking Edmonton Oilers
• Three games shy of the franchise’s longest losing streak, Oilers face Sharks and Ducks in next four game

SBN: Copper and Blue

• Gameday Coverage: Oilers vs. Sharks
• Sharks @ Oilers Game 27 Preview