The San Jose Sharks Road to the Post-Season

SAN JOSE, Ca – During the off season, the San Jose Sharks made a few changes that they hope will eventually help boost them over the hump, and send the team deeper into the post-season. Additionally, the Sharks replaced Head Coach Ron Wilson with former Red Wings Assistant Coach Todd McLellan. Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson is hopeful the addition of McLellan, accompanied by the addition of other veteran players with Stanley Cup experience, will be the needed shot-in-the-arm to send them to the Stanley Cup finals. Keys to Success: One of the best goalies in the NHL, Evgeni Nabokov, will be back again. Last season Nabokov was voted as a first team All-Star, and was named a runner-up for the Vezna Trophy. Nabokov led the NHL with 46 wins, placing him fourth in NHL history. Nabokov also posted a 2.14 games-against-average with a .910 save percentage in 77 games, and had six shutouts. His backup, Brian Boucher was reliable enough in the net to provide Nabokov with necessary rest periods. Center Joe Thornton also had a tremendous season last year. He led the team with 96 points, popping all NHL players with 67 assists. Since the 20005-06 seasons, Thornton averaged 1.36 points per game. Thornton has provided a combination of size, passing power, and skill unmatched by very few in the NHL. Thornton will need to equal his regular season offensive output if the Sharks are to have any post-season success. Patrick Marleau brings excellent leadership to the Sharks combination of experience and youth as the teams’ captain. Defensively, the newest acquisitions this summer bring Rob Blake, Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich, all owners of their own Stanley Cup Rings. With the combination of size and strength, the Sharks are destined to improve their play on the special teams this season as well. Offensively, Joe Pavelski was on a roll last season and demonstrated a lot of potential. Reasons they could fail: With Thornton the leading point scorer at 96, the next best scoring output on the team was Milan Michalek with 55 points, while Jonathan Cheechoo was third with 37 points. Unfortunately, they were the only players on the team with over 20 points. This lopsided scoring balance could once again be detrimental to the teams success. The Sharks have also had some problems with their special teams. They need to work on a plan for a

consistent penalty kill, given last years less than admirable 75% success rate. Rookie Watch: The Sharks had some great success from their rookies last year. Wingman Lukas Kaspar played in 73 games in Worchester (AHL) posting a career-high 17 goals and 24 assists, placing him fourth on the team. Additionally, goalie Thomas Greiss is showing great progress and should be a valuable backup to Nabokov. Greiss split the season between Worchester and the Sharks making 25 saves in his NHL debut against Anaheim in January. How the Sharks will do this season: The Sharks have acquired veterans with Stanley Cup experience, both on the coaching staff and on the ice. With the continued contributions of their veterans, the Sharks look to make a successful run for hockey’s ultimate prize. Assuming their first and second lines can stay healthy, and improve on their scorning inconsistencies from last year, the Sharks are a sure bet for the post-season, and could win the Western Division. It should be a three team race with Dallas and Anaheim, who also should not have a problem making it to the post-season. Dallas has great defensive abilities, but look to be off to a slow start. Anaheim has experience on their side, but lack in their offensive abilities. The rest of the division will round out with Phoenix and Los Angeles fighting for a playoff spot. Contact the author at shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
 
Photo by Conner Phelps (Sharks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff)