The Sharks missed their pre-game nap due to travel constraints so they decided to catch up on their sleep during the first period and had Antti Niemi keep the red light warm.
Using back-to-back games on opposite poles of the country as an excuse would be easy for the Sharks to use as an explanation to their slow start that saw them outshot 20-9 in the first period but I’m not a fan of making such a claim.
They had a job to do and they didn’t do it at the beginning of the game.
Digging yourself a 3-0 hole in the first 15 minutes against the Chicago Blackhawks is never going to go in your favor and last night was no exception.
The Sharks did show up for the remainder of the game, though, outshooting the Blackhawks 25-17 over the final two frames as they raced to get back in the game. Too little, too late.
Thoughts on the Game
Todd McLellan
The Sharks head coach continues to make me scratch my head so much during games to the point that my scalp hurts.
On the Blackhawks fourth goal by Bryan Bickell the Sharks bench boss had a chance to remove Brent Burns and Mirco Mueller from the ice and shelter them from a potential disastrous zone start. He declined to do so and the result was unfavorable. Mueller’s lack of NHL experience saw him choose less effective positioning on Bickell, something that Braun or Vlasic may not have done.
It’s pretty apparent to anyone who has working eyes that the Sharks defensive play has been suspect all season long. That’s why pulling the goaltender with nearly three minutes left in the third period against the league’s best possession team might be the head scratcher of all head scratchers.
I’m aware that it’s hard to score two goals in three minutes 5v5, but I’m also privy to the fact that it’s even harder to score three. There was never going to be a good ending when Niemi left the net so early.
Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton
These two players have tremendous chemistry and they continue to have success while lined up next to each other.
There’s no way that they should ever be broken up. I don’t care what depth issues come up, Joe Pavelski is not a third line center anymore. He’s Joe Thornton’s winger.
With his two goals from last night little Joe is on pace for a 35 goal season, or 76 over two seasons. He’s worth every penny of that $6M AAV.
Overall Play In Periods 2 & 3
The Sharks laid an egg in the first, no question about it, but they rallied together as a group for the rest of the game. Whatever was said in the locker room in the first intermission worked.
It would have been easy for them to lay down at the feet of a seemingly insurmountable climb but they continued to dig in and try to get back in the game. That’s the type of effort that you can build off of and strive to get over sixty minutes.
As the Sharks settled down and got back to their game plan it made life easier for Niemi and the 17 shots on goal that the Blackhawks recorded in periods two-to-three is a very respectable number for the Sharks defense to allow through given what they've done this season.
Final Thought
While the score certainly won't represent how the Sharks played after the first period it's good to note that they can still play with the Blackhawks when they show up. After a roller coaster start to the season it's good to have a few tapes of film to use for motivation when times get tough.
The Sharks are back in action tomorrow against the Florida Panthers as they look to build on a solid road record.
Thanks for reading.
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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