SAN JOSE, CA- The level of play and consistency shown by the Sharks as of late can only make the hockey world wonder if this team is finally starting to play up to their potential.
Photo by Lewis Bleiman
After San Jose blew a third period one goal lead in Nashville by giving up two markers less than a minute apart, it would have been easy for them to get down on themselves. This team played well for 59 minutes and for one minute late in the third period the Sharks went from heroes to zeros in a 3-2 loss. The way the schedule works they had no time to dwell on their mistakes because the very next night team teal went into Dallas to play the Stars who have won both meetings this season and both were in San Jose. Just three nights prior the Stars won in a shoot-out 3-2 at the Shark Tank. Showing great professionalism San Jose came out and played a great road game winning 4-3 in overtime on a Logan Couture winner off the post and in.
To finish off the road trip the Sharks visited St. Louis and Yaroslav Halak who shut out them out in the only other meeting of the season between these two teams. Hockey players have good memories and San Jose came out knowing that they would have to break down the Halak wall in net, and they did just that. They were able to carry momentum from an instrumental win in Dallas and handle the Blues with ease winning 4-1.
Photo by Lewis Bleiman
The turnaround in the play by the Sharks can be credited to a number of things.
Logan Couture has been lights out for the Sharks all year long but even more so as of late. He is a rookie in the NHL and if he is able to maintain the pace he is on he will most certainly win the Calder Trophy which goes to the league’s top rookie. This young man does everything well. He is faster than he looks, stronger than his 6’0, 175 pound frame shows and takes care of his own zone as well as ten year veterans do.
“I’m still learning a lot about the game at the NHL level,” said Couture “The points will come, I’m not worried about them right now, I’m trying to do the little things right up here whether it’s face-offs or playing in your own zone, but for now my focus is on the details.”
Couture is mature beyond his years and has been the Sharks’ best player night in and night out for coach Todd MacLellan and his staff who had this to say about Couture after the overtime win in Dallas.
“Catalyst would be a very good word,” MacLellan said. “He’s scored some very big goals. Our special teams were below par but he found a way to get the winner in overtime. He’s one of the top, if not the top, rookie in the league and when you have that type player on your team, you’re thankful.”
Couture has found great chemistry with winger Ryan Clowe who was awarded the NHL’s star of the week award ending December 12th. The 6’3, 225 pound winger from Newfoundland Canada is having a career year playing with Logan.
Couture doesn’t lead the team in points, but he does lead his squad in goals with 18 and most importantly in game-winning goals with 5. His plus/minus is + 8, second only to Clowe.
Photo by Lewis Bleiman
Another reason for the Sharks turnaround is the offensive help they are getting from defensemen other than Dan Boyle. Marc-Edouard Vlasic has found the offensive side of his game as of late along with Niclas Wallin. Recently called up from the AHL is Justin Braun who after his first six games in the NHL had five points with a goal and four assists. Derek Joslin chipped in with his first ever NHL goal and Douglas Murray has added some offense to go along with his bruising physical play.
Add in secondary scoring from the likes of Devin Setoguchi back from injury and Torri Mitchell finding the back of the net and the Sharks are on their way to turning things around.
This is a team that has had regular season success in past years but faltered in the playoffs, so they are doing things different this year. They are taking the high road to the postseason hoping to have different results. You don’t see San Jose win the easy games this year or the blowout games. Teams don’t take the night off against the Sharks which should help better prepare this team for deep playoff run. They have had to fight harder to earn their points and their division is one of the toughest in hockey.
Aside from their Christmas hangover against the Kings on the 27th of December where they lost 4-0, the Sharks have been one of the league’s most exciting teams to watch.
San Jose travels to Minnesota tonight to square off against the Wild and then on to Chicago two days later which is always an exciting game.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Contact the writer at: Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
Photographer Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com
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