So far this year, the San Jose Sharks seem to be a bit unsettled. The Sharks had a flying start on the 2015/16 campaign, and won their first four games with what appeared to be relative ease, beginning with the beating of local rivals the LA Kings 5-1.
Following on from this, first at home to the Anaheim Ducks then in Washington against the Capitals, Martin Jones got a pair of shutouts.
The fourth game of the season, went to a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 game against the New Jersey Devils.
From there, the Sharks great start to the season crumbled, losing the next three games, one of which was a 4-1 defeat to the previously dominated Kings.
Patrick Marleau got himself off to a good start to the season, with an assist in the first game, then scoring both the goals against the Ducks and getting himself the first star of the game. Some people were referring to that game as “The Marleau Show”, as he provided most of the offense for the entire game. In the ten games since, Marleau has only contributed one goal and four assists.
Leading the team with goals so far this year, is Joe Pavelski. Pavelski currently ranks third in the league for goals with eight, and when you add his four assists, twelve points from twelve games isn’t bad in anyone’s book. Let’s hope he can keep this going – or even improve upon it – and have another seventy point season like last year.
Joel Ward, transferring in from the Capitals over the summer (signing a three year deal after becoming an unrestricted free agent), has picked up eleven points so far, although none of these came against his former team. These numbers so early in the season are definitely a good sign, and all eyes are on Ward following his thirty four point season last year, with hopes that he can vastly improve upon it.
One of the issues which has obviously hit the Sharks hard, is Logan Couture’s unfortunate incident during training, where he fractured a bone in his leg and is expected to be out for four to six weeks. Being such an offensive presence for the Sharks, the absence of Couture’s flair and skill may well be contributing to the up and down season the team are having so far, but one man does not make a team and Head Coach, Peter DeBoer will need to find a way to permanently fill that gap, as even when Couture makes it back on to the ice, the Sharks need to settle the up and down year they seem to be having.
Speaking of DeBoer, losing his challenge against the Dallas Stars’ fourth goal in their 5-3 loss must have hit him hard, especially after the challenge he won against the Capitals earlier in the month. The challenge against Dallas’ goal, was based on the belief that Colton Sceviour for the Stars was offside, however, upon reviewing the play, Sceviour’s front foot was still touching the blue line and he appeared to be toe-dragging his back foot behind the blue line, therefore the referee – quite rightly – declared the goal good.
Brent Burns is still a huge force. Not just at the back either, Burns is more than happy to push up and clearly wants another sixty point season this year. Burns is averaging around 25:50 on the ice per game, which is an impressive five to six minutes more than just about anyone else is out there for.
A few players that seem to be taking their time getting things off to a proper start this year, are Tommy Wingels, Tomas Hertl, and Matt Neito. Once these three get going, they should be able to develop forty points plus, each, but so far have only got fourteen between them in their twelve games. All three seem to be stuck in a catch 22 situation, they are all getting short shifts – between twelve and sixteen minutes of ice time per game – making it harder to score, but without getting more points, their play time probably won’t be increased.
In their upcoming game, the Sharks play host to the Florida Panthers, who are currently sitting one place above the Sharks in the league (however the Panthers are about to face off against the Ducks, while the Sharks do not have a game today), and are also having a bit of a turbulent season so far.
Hopefully the Sharks will be able to settle things down, do what needs to be done and get the rest of the season under control, as it could seriously hurt their prospects next year if they miss the play offs again.
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