I don't have the greatest job in the world - Pop Warner football and a terrible benefits package ensure that - but I'm grateful I don't coach the Sharks. It has to be challenging trying to fix problems that really can't be explained. It's almost like trying to figure out a puzzle. You have all the pieces in all the right places, and nothing's missing, but the image is still mangled and distorted.
Wednesday's loss was San Jose's third straight, and renewed another round of questions about the team. What's it going to take to develop some consistency? How long do we wait for things to turn around? At what point is a change made? When does a slump become a season? Is it a talent issue, a chemistry issue or a character issue?
I've spent the last couple hours spinning Wednesday's loss over in my mind, wondering how a team could put 36 shots on goal without any real scoring chances. Jason LaBarbera was good, but didn't make a single save that made a guy look to the heavens in disbelief. He didn't have to. He just made himself big, controlled his rebounds, and made one more save than Nabokov in the shootout.
Offense - C-
It's a funny thing with this Sharks team. They put Phoenix goalies on waivers, but make everyone else look like All-Star candidates. I liked all the shots on goal, but there just wasn't enough finish around the net. There wasn't that extra step or extra effort to turn a simple wrist shot into a quality chance. Once again, the Sharks had individuals stand out, but never an entire line. Thornton would make a play, or Marleau would get a chance, but you rarely saw a pass to create a shot.
Setoguchi was in the slot quite a bit, turning and spinning to get shots off, but he missed on four shots. And Shark fans might disagree, but it was pretty funny seeing a 3-on-2 involving Davison, Murray and Rissmiller, with Brown trailing the play. For all the depth the Sharks have, it's hard to call the team a Cup contender when that's the scene in front of you.
Defense - B
It was a pretty strong night for the defense, with the exception of a couple breakdowns that resulted in goals. Los Angeles didn't have a shot during the first 12 minutes of the game, and didn't do anything the first period because the Sharks were dropping four guys back and controlling the zone.
The Sharks had a bunch of blocked shots and held the Kings to the outside. I thought Murray was great physically, and plays end quickly when he lowers the shoulder on people. Ehrhoff also had a strong game, and he finished his checks with a little extra edge all night long. He would add a little jab or slash at the end, and it kept the puck carrier off balance on his side of the ice. Also, Matt Carle may have been responsible for two goals, but he blocked 6 shots.
Goaltending - C
The numbers don't look bad, but it's hard to say Nabokov had a good night because he allowed goals on every quality chance. I don't know what he was thinking on the first goal, standing over the puck and expecting a whistle. Sure he didn't know where it was, but wouldn't he move to get back in his net or something? Also, your goalie has to make a save in the shootout, just to give the team a chance. Maybe pull a little switcheroo next time and throw Patzold in there for the shootout. What's the worst that could happen, three goals and a shootout loss? Nabokov can give you that.
Power Play - B+
It's still not pretty, and there still isn't enough movement, but it almost looked like the power play of old. There was some good puck movement and the Sharks had 11 shots, going 1-for-4 on the PP. Ozolinsh finally started bombing away from the point, and Rivet was able to find an open net on the rebound for the trying goal.
That shorthanded goal was a killer, and I want to know what Murray was doing on the power play. Just because he wears Superman's cape doesn't mean he can fly, and despite Murray's strong defensive play he still handles the puck like a flaming turd. The only guys who should be working the point on the power play are Ehrhoff, Carle, Ozolinsh, Vlasic and Rivet. Murray's bobble led to a breakaway, which would have been a penalty shot if Kopitar hadn't shoveled in the rebound.
Penalty Kill - A+
Watching the precision on the penalty kill is beautiful. The Kings never posed a threat, not even on the 5-on-3 after Carle's phantom call. The PK is the only time you can see guys communicating and making really smart plays with the puck. Of course, penalty killing is really just paint by numbers, but it's nice to see a team do it right.
San Jose blocked shots and rotated often with quick shifts. Plus, while I was born to insert Goonies references into hockey blogs (lets just cover the floor in chocolate and have Chunk eat his way through), Grier was born to kill penalties. He's always composed and patient with the puck, which helps keep everyone else relaxed and keeps guys from running around.
Turned My Head
Joe Thornton - There's so much security when Joe's on the ice you almost take it for granted. Sure he always leads the team in giveaways, but quarterbacks always lead the team in interceptions. He's always handling the puck, and most of the time it's a smart play that sets something up for a teammate.
Rob Davison - What, did you think he was going to turn into Dino Ciccarelli? Davison's not playing forward to create much offense, he's a defenseman for crying out loud. Plus, Ciccarelli should be in the Hall of Fame. That's a scientific fact. Anyway, I liked Davison's game because he was throwing some weight around, and he was trying to knock a few guys into the next area code.
Turned My Stomach
Jonathan Cheechoo - He had a pretty good game and saved a goal on a nice backcheck midway through the third period, breaking up a 3-on-2. But it was Cheechoo's mistake in the first period that overshadowed everything else. There were eight minutes remaining in the first period and the Sharks had caught the Kings on a line change. Cheechoo had the puck with a clear 4-on-1, but he put a wrist shot on goal for 30 feet out, killing the chance and leaving 17,000+ throwing their hands up in disgust.
Carle/Rivet/Murray - All three players were guilty of little drop passes that resulted in turnovers. The drop pass is the equivalent of dribbling between your legs in basketball. It's usually not necessary, and it can mean big trouble if you get caught trying to get too fancy.
Final Grade - C+
It was another night when the Sharks probably did enough to win, but didn't deserve a victory. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it sounds okay in my head. Either way, the Sharks picked up a point and they're tied with Columbus and Anaheim for eighth in the Western Conference. Frustration is going to keep building as the losses pile up, decreasing the attendance numbers and increasing the demand for change.
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Bernier and McLaren were healthy scratches Wednesday night, and it was kinda interesting because I thought both had played pretty well lately. Carle wasn't the same playing the left side with Murray, and those two were responsible for both Los Angeles goals.
It just breaks your heart seeing Ryane Clowe limping around the press box with a cane. Hopefully he can come back strong in a few months but I can't imagine the mental and physical toll an injury takes on a player.
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Thanks to everyone who tuned in to the postgame buzzcast. We had a good discussion about the Sharks, patience, and even a Def Leppard reference. Plus, it ended up with a plea for wanton violence. Hooray! Join us for the next one Friday morning at 10. Thanks for reading and enjoy the games everybody.
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