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Sharks losing streak continues |
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The Sharks left Bridgestone arena in Nashville after falling 1-0 in overtime, but tonight they can leave with their pride.
“A much better effort than last night” quipped Todd McLellan after the game.
“Everybody that dressed contributed tonight. I thought we were much more competitive and played a much more detailed game, but we still had the same result. We have to find a way to get over the hump.”
It was another defensive battle and sixty minutes wasn’t enough to decide a winner. The Predators took advantage of their single opportunity in overtime and came away with the two points. The Sharks earned a single point and played well enough to get two, but those are the breaks and lately the Sharks have not had many.
San Jose does deserve some credit for the turnaround in tonight’s effort. They did go to the blue paint and they did create some quality scoring chances. In the situation the Sharks are in it will most likely be a lucky goal or a bad bounce before the breaks start going their way.
“There’s frustration in that” was the coach’s response when asked about good efforts and a lack of scoring.
“You can see it and you can feel it, but the players have to work their way through it and we have to help them. We might have to score some real ugly ones before the pretty ones come.”
Head Coach Todd McLellan called up Tim Kennedy from the minors to try and jump start the offense and he put him on the second line with Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe. Kennedy has been producing at the AHL level and bringing him up is a sign of desperation. Make no mistake this team’s offense is desperate.
In the current six game losing streak the Sharks have scored only seven goals and everything that was working during the seven game win streak…isn’t working now.
The third line was probably the best again for San Jose and they seem to be creating more noise than results, but if they continue to pressure the offensive zone the way they have been the results will come.
Scoring details
1st period - 2nd period - 3rd period
No scoring
Overtime
NAS – 2:08 –EV – 33 C.Wilson(4) – assist – R.Ellis(3)
Turning point
The turning point in tonight’s game could have been a number of different points, but for me it was the failure to capitalize with the two man advantage. This team goes as far as the power play goes and lately the power play has been on vacation.
Contenders & Pretenders
Contenders
Pekka Rinne – is no stranger to the contender’s list and a shutout will always get you on it. Renne was good and lucky and no matter how you look at it he got the job done.
Antti Niemi – also played a strong game and has been a very consistent performer for the Sharks this season. He dueled his fellow countryman and came up just short but not short enough to be left off of the contender’s list.
Pretenders
The Sharks power play – is on the list for a lack of production. They scored last night when the game was out of hand, other than that they need get the feet moving and show more desperation. It isn’t too early to use that word, especially in a shortened season.
Jason Demers – makes the list for his lazy penalty which negated a San Jose double minor. The Sharks had the man advantage before and after but this a game of momentum changes and the double minor given to the Preds was a great opportunity to sway the mo in the Sharks favor.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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