Canadian Thanksgiving differs from American Thanksgiving in a couple of ways. It occurs in October on a Monday rather than a Thursday, meaning everyone has to get up and go to work the next day. And there aren't any parades, because 15,000+ Canadians aren't going to gather outside from 2-4 hours between October and February unless they're watching a hockey game or CFL football. However, Thanksgiving on both sides of the border means stuffing your belly and settling in for a little nap while the game is on.
That's the scenario the San Jose Sharks will have to avoid tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes. The Sharks are wrapping up a three-game homestand, and it will be an interesting test because they'll have to avoid overlooking a weak divisional opponent. The Cinderella Coyotes jumped out to a 2-2 record, but the clock might have struck midnight on Saturday night during a 2-0 loss to Columbus. The dismal home opener killed the team's momentum and sapped any good vibes built up by the whiteout/sellout.
The Coyotes are better than they've been in several years, and have a lot of young pieces in place. Having said that, the Sharks should have a distinct advantage, especially if Evgeni Nabokov can play the way he did during Saturday's 4-2 win over Minnesota. Although it's early, tonight's game is also very important in the Western Conference standings. A 4-2 record looks a whole lot better than a 3-3 record, and the Sharks have to keep pace with the Kings, who have looked better than any team in the league (in my opinion) putting together a 4-1 record.
Finally, the Sharks embark on a grueling six-game road trip beginning Thursday in Washington, D.C. that will include games against the Capital, Islanders, Rangers, Lightning, Thrashers and Flyers. It's natural for teams to look ahead, especially with that monster matchup against the Caps looming. We'll see if the Sharks can put the hammer down tonight, beating a team that they should beat early in the season.
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Dany Heatley was named the NHL's first star of the week, putting up eight points in three games. He's currently tied for the league lead in points (10) and game winning goals (2), and sits second overall in goals (5). Not a bad start for a guy who didn't have a goal after his first two games of the season. We'll see if Heatley adds to those totals tonight, because he has a three-game goal streak going.
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Steven Zalewski has gotten the call up from Worcester and will play in his first career NHL game tonight, suiting up on the fourth line with Manny Malhotra and Jody Shelley. It's good to see young guys get a shot playing on the big club, but we're quickly figuring out just because a guy plays in the NHL that doesn't mean he's an NHL talent.
Frazer McLaren was largely ineffective in his four-game stint with the Sharks, Jamie McGinn needs to produce more than bad penalties playing on the Sharks' second line, and it seems to be only a matter of time before Benn Ferriero receives a ticket back to Worcester. Jason Demers has been the best Sharks rookie so far, and he's been prone to some scary defensive lapses over the last two games.
Each of these players are at different stages in their development, and we'll see what each of them provides either in San Jose or Worcester as the season progresses. However, early returns would suggest Torrey Mitchell and Joe Pavelski can't return soon enough, or Doug Wilson might have to look outside the organization to shore up the third and fourth lines.
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I can't tell you how much I enjoy NHL Center Ice this season. They've been airing completed games a couple hours after they finish, so you can always catch up on the action or watch for some highlights you might have missed. It's a great change for hockey geeks who might want to catch the Atlanta/Buffalo game but didn't get to see it live. On that note, I went back and watched the San Jose/Minnesota game yesterday and it's always surprising how many plays stand out that you might not have noticed the first time around.
Three Studs
3. Scott Nichol - He didn't have an outstanding game, but Nichol stood out because of his work ethic. He finished every check and really provided the motor for the Sharks' depth lines. That effort didn't go unnoticed by the coaching staff, who bumped Nichol up to the third line, or, more accurately, the Sharks' second fourth line. Great work by Nichol, providing the template for his teammates.
2. Patrick Marleau - Just when you think Marleau's play is trailing off on San Jose's makeshift second line, he comes out blazing and demonstrates why he's such a valuable two-way player. He seems to have a lot of confidence with the puck, and he's making those creative plays that keep defenders guessing. Now Pavelski just has to return so Marleau doesn't have to carry the line by himself.
1. Evgeni Nabokov- Nabokov was challenging shooters all night and made some huge saves to keep the Sharks in it after falling behind 2-0. He's already been victimized by two funky bounces that have lobbed over him into the net, but those are fluke goals because he comes so far out anticipating the shot. Nabokov's play has been feast or famine so far, and he was outstanding on Saturday.
Three Duds
3. Joe Thornton - Saturday was a floating night for Thornton, and he looked content to coast around without much energy or enthusiasm. He still netted an assist, but only had one shot in 20:16 of ice time and didn't produce much at 5-on-5 or on the power play. Thornton's production has been huge, although you don't want to string too many floating nights together.
2. Manny Malhotra - I'm still not sure where Malhotra fits in with the Sharks, and his play has only added to the confusion. He's not a physical player and hasn't produced any offense. He hasn't been great on faceoffs and he's made too many mistakes handling the puck shorthanded. I suppose the fourth line is the best place for him until he can figure things out and produce a more consistent effort.
1. Ryane Clowe - With zero points through five games, I just figured Clowe wasn't getting bounces around the net. I was wrong. He's not earning his chances and hasn't produced the effort to create turnovers or tilt the ice in his team's favor. It's awfully early to shift him around or call him trade bait, but Clowe's game needs to make a 180-degree turn, because he's not doing enough to warrant his ice time.
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I know we usually reserve the SharksBuzz Postgame Show for road games, but it's been six days since our last show and my wife is tired of my one-sided discussions about Douglas Murray's role on the top defensive pairing. We'll be going live at approximately 10 p.m. PT tonight, taking your calls at (724) 444-7444, talkcast ID# 74909. We'll be talking puck for as long as you want, so tune in and give us a jingle with your thoughts.
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