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Sharks drop second in a row as the Coyotes qualify for the playoffs |
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Before the puck was dropped tonight, the Sharks found themselves behind the eight ball. They were playing a team that had not yet cemented a spot in the post-season, Devin Setoguchi dressed and participated in the pre-game skate but cramped up and was unable to play, and the Sharks had won the previous eight games against Phoenix including all four games this year.
Something had to give. When you add all the circumstances up the result was a 4-3 loss for San Jose. This was the Sharks second loss in as many games and not the way you want to play down the final stretch of the regular season, but even more so not the way you want to go into the playoffs.
It was two games ago that the Sharks clinched their division, and worst-case scenario third place in the west. Since that time the teams compete, level has not been the same. This is a popular trend in the NHL with the Flyers and Detroit also playing sub par hockey after they clinched their divisions. Even Vancouver who won the President’s Trophy for first place in the league fell to the lowly Edmonton Oilers after they wrapped things up. No player, coach, general manager, or owner will ever admit, or wants to see it but the reality is that these players are under enormous pressure to perform at such a high level that when you do reach one of their goals it is natural to have a let down. That doesn’t mean we the fans and critics have to like it or agree with it, but it will help our stress levels if we understand it. Fortunately, for San Jose there is still an opportunity finish in second place in the west with a win tomorrow night against the same Coyotes that beat them tonight or a Red Wings loss to Chicago Sunday.
The important thing is not to let the streak become three in a row. The playoffs won’t begin until Wednesday or Thursday and although hockey players have short memories the days leading up to game one of the first round will be much more enjoyable with a win Saturday. It is also important to finish on a positive and carry that momentum forward into the playoffs. In the next season, everybody starts over and the slate is wiped clean, but that doesn’t mean that momentum won’t be a factor. In particular, since the desert dogs from Phoenix may be the Sharks first round opponent. If that were the case a win, tomorrow night would mean the Sharks have been successful against the Coyotes in eight of their last nine meetings, which would be a psychological advantage for San Jose.
The Coyotes qualified for the playoffs with tonight’s victory so it is safe to assume that the team’s desperation level won’t be the same as it was in their one goal win.
Devin Setoguchi has considerably picked up his play in the second half of the season and found himself on the top line with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. During the pre-game warm up, he injured himself on what coach McLellan is calling a cramp. If it were an injury from last game, they would have recalled another forward from Worcester so it is believable that it happened just prior to the puck drop. When a top line skater goes down and there is nobody to replace him there is going to be a trickle down affect as there was in this game. With Setoguchi’s absence, the lines were inconsistent all night long. Seldom did the players skate with the same people. A similar comparison would be to pitch to a different back catcher every inning. The balance of the forwards looked off most of the night. Without Ryan Clowe out there and Scott Nichol’s return, I am not surprised with the lack of harmony displayed by the forwards.
The Sharks lost the game and they didn’t deserve to win. Phoenix was the more desperate team yes but the little things are what that held them back. The most obvious was the turnovers in the defensive zone. The first goal was a result of a turnover and if not for Antti Niemi playing his typical solid game in net for San Jose, the score would have been worse.
The Sharks were not moving their feet and the type of penalties called against them is proof. Anytime you get hooking and interference calls against your team it is a sign that the energy level is missing. Two of each in tonight’s game for San Jose resulting in one goal against.
The players seemed too casual with the puck, which coach McLellan alluded to, in the post game press conference “I thought that key people that we count on bumbled or fumbled the puck a little too much. The ice wasn't very good and we tried to get a little too cute at times and it ended up being too risky."
The Sharks had their chances in this game. They hit iron twice, on the second post the play came back the other way on an odd man rush, which Phoenix scored on to go-ahead 3-1. Ilya Bryzgalov the Coyotes MVP was rock solid between the pipes. Seldom does he get the goal support he had tonight and good thing he did because the Sharks found another gear in the third period and dominated the play. If there is a positive to take away from the loss tonight, it is that San Jose won the third period 2-1. They made it interesting by pulling Niemi late in the frame for the extra attacker. The Sharks out shot the Coyotes 11-2 and almost evened the score.
Contenders
Joe Thornton - was a contender tonight by scoring his 1000th NHL point. He hit the mark in style scoring a goal where he displayed great touch by batting the puck out of mid air and past Ilya Bryzgalov who is one of the best goaltenders in the league. Joe accomplished this feat in his 994th game meaning he has averaged over a point a game for his career.
Dany Heatley - was involved in the game tonight and blasted a slap shot past the glove of Bryzgalov for his 26th of the season. A hot Heatley for the playoffs would bode well after having a sub par year.
Shane Doan - recorded a goal and an assist and became the first (and most likely the only) twenty goal scorer on the team. Doan also earned the game’s first star.
Pretenders
Dan Boyle - had a rough night with the bad ice. Boyle tripped causing a breakaway, which Niemi bailed him out on, but he also whiffed on a slap shot that caused an odd man rush to go the other way resulting in a goal.
Andrew Desjardins - was standing in front of the net when his check Ray Whitney made it 2-0. He was just way too loose on his man if he wants to stay in the NHL.
The Sharks host Phoenix tomorrow night at HP Pavilion in the last regular season game. It will be an opportunity to turn things around before the playoffs begin next week. Game time is 7:30 (PST)
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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