Some points to ponder as the Sharks begin a six-game road trip this afternoon in Columbus:
*Get some points vs. Blackhawks and Blues
It's pretty clear the Sharks are going to be in contention for the playoff berth all season. Even in losing four games in a row after that 7-0 start, San Jose played relatively well against Nashville, Anaheim, Chicago and Phoenix and barring injuries should stay in the hunt. So even with just 74 available points on the board, the 12 at stake over the next 12 days won't make or break the season. But there are some big opportunities to make a statement with games against Western Conference contenders Chicago (twice) and St. Louis. You wouldn't expect the Sharks to go 3-0 in these games, but perhaps a split in the two meetings at Chicago's United Center -the Sharks should not lack motivation given what happened when the teams played last week in San Jose- and at worst steal a point against the difficult to match up with Blues would help the Sharks' psyche. They very well may meet the Blackhawks or Blues in a playoff series, and right now San Jose would have to be considered the underdog against either opponent. Struggling in these early-season matchups would only enhance that perception.
*Get Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau back on track
It's fascinating how quickly success and production can go off the rails in hockey. Baseball players slump even in MVP-level seasons. But there are so many at-bats and so many games to play, you can get right back into the batter box. But when Thornton and Marleau both slow down after that torrid scoring pace to begin the season, it's magnified since hockey players are on the ice for a minute here, another short shift here; and when it's not clicking and the circumstances in a game change, it can seem like an eternity waiting for pucks to get put back in the net. Coach Todd McLellan has shuffled his lines frequently, even breaking up what over the first few games was an seemingly unstoppable Marleau-Thornton-Joe Pavelski top line. On paper, I really the like the potential firepower of Marleau playing to the left of Logan Couture and Martin Havlat on the right side. And Thornton still has Pavelski and -if last Saturday's active performance can be duplicated- a goal-hungry Ryane Clowe. But Marleau and Thornton have combined gone scoreless over the last five games after churning out 25 goals or assists in the first six. The Sharks need to find some offense again, as save for that first-period flurry in the Chicago game last Tuesday, San Jose has been stymied offensively.
*Keep up the nifty PK, but get something going on the PP
The Sharks are the epitome of good news, bad news in terms of special teams. The once maligned penalty kill is rolling with 34 consecutive short-handed situations repelled. But conversely, San Jose has scored just once on a power play in its last 25 chances. Perhaps Marleau's and Thornton's pointless drought has a lot to do with the latter. But it will be interesting to see how that trend evolves on this road swing.
*Stick with the defensive pairings if possible
David Pollack of the San Jose Mercury News suggested Douglas Murray would be back in the lineup tonight in Columbus, but I for one really liked the combinations San Jose used in its shootout loss to Phoenix last week. Murray has undoubtedly helped the team's penalty kill prowess, but the big Swede seems like a big anchor when the tempo accelerates. Murray may replace Jason Demers against the Blue Jackets, so he's getting a team that doesn't scare anyone with its skill level. But keep an eye on how Brent Burns progresses after having a solid debut in his return from hernia surgery.
*Start and finish strong
The Sharks open the road swing in Columbus, where the post Rick Nash-doldrums are in full bloom. And San Jose ends in Dallas, a Pacific Division rival. Whatever happens in between be damned, Columbus and Dallas provide four points the Sharks should and frankly must get.
*Get some points vs. Blackhawks and Blues
It's pretty clear the Sharks are going to be in contention for the playoff berth all season. Even in losing four games in a row after that 7-0 start, San Jose played relatively well against Nashville, Anaheim, Chicago and Phoenix and barring injuries should stay in the hunt. So even with just 74 available points on the board, the 12 at stake over the next 12 days won't make or break the season. But there are some big opportunities to make a statement with games against Western Conference contenders Chicago (twice) and St. Louis. You wouldn't expect the Sharks to go 3-0 in these games, but perhaps a split in the two meetings at Chicago's United Center -the Sharks should not lack motivation given what happened when the teams played last week in San Jose- and at worst steal a point against the difficult to match up with Blues would help the Sharks' psyche. They very well may meet the Blackhawks or Blues in a playoff series, and right now San Jose would have to be considered the underdog against either opponent. Struggling in these early-season matchups would only enhance that perception.
*Get Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau back on track
It's fascinating how quickly success and production can go off the rails in hockey. Baseball players slump even in MVP-level seasons. But there are so many at-bats and so many games to play, you can get right back into the batter box. But when Thornton and Marleau both slow down after that torrid scoring pace to begin the season, it's magnified since hockey players are on the ice for a minute here, another short shift here; and when it's not clicking and the circumstances in a game change, it can seem like an eternity waiting for pucks to get put back in the net. Coach Todd McLellan has shuffled his lines frequently, even breaking up what over the first few games was an seemingly unstoppable Marleau-Thornton-Joe Pavelski top line. On paper, I really the like the potential firepower of Marleau playing to the left of Logan Couture and Martin Havlat on the right side. And Thornton still has Pavelski and -if last Saturday's active performance can be duplicated- a goal-hungry Ryane Clowe. But Marleau and Thornton have combined gone scoreless over the last five games after churning out 25 goals or assists in the first six. The Sharks need to find some offense again, as save for that first-period flurry in the Chicago game last Tuesday, San Jose has been stymied offensively.
*Keep up the nifty PK, but get something going on the PP
The Sharks are the epitome of good news, bad news in terms of special teams. The once maligned penalty kill is rolling with 34 consecutive short-handed situations repelled. But conversely, San Jose has scored just once on a power play in its last 25 chances. Perhaps Marleau's and Thornton's pointless drought has a lot to do with the latter. But it will be interesting to see how that trend evolves on this road swing.
*Stick with the defensive pairings if possible
David Pollack of the San Jose Mercury News suggested Douglas Murray would be back in the lineup tonight in Columbus, but I for one really liked the combinations San Jose used in its shootout loss to Phoenix last week. Murray has undoubtedly helped the team's penalty kill prowess, but the big Swede seems like a big anchor when the tempo accelerates. Murray may replace Jason Demers against the Blue Jackets, so he's getting a team that doesn't scare anyone with its skill level. But keep an eye on how Brent Burns progresses after having a solid debut in his return from hernia surgery.
*Start and finish strong
The Sharks open the road swing in Columbus, where the post Rick Nash-doldrums are in full bloom. And San Jose ends in Dallas, a Pacific Division rival. Whatever happens in between be damned, Columbus and Dallas provide four points the Sharks should and frankly must get.
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