The San Jose Sharks spent the entire night trying to find themselves.
Calgary knew where it was: facing elimination. Now the Sharks better realize they are in the same place Tuesday night at HP Pavillion, or this series will cement them as a team that cannot win in the postseason unless they are playing Nashville.
The Sharks had actually dominated the first four games, out-shooting the Flames by a dozen shots per game, beating them consistently in the face-off circle, and staying even with them in hits. Yet they narrowly escaped with a split because of lapses in intensity and judgment.
The image that will forever define this Sharks team and determine both their future and that of this coaching staff is the way they responded to Calgary's hard checking after taking a 3-0 lead in the Saddledome in the first three-plus minutes of game three.
Perhaps they were doing what one can see the lineman in the above picture is doing: watching and admiring the Flames' intensity. It was what they lacked for the first five-plus minutes of Game 1, and they lost. It was what they lacked in the last 56-plus minutes of Game 3 three, and they lost.
Not that they have, but they cannot blame tonight's loss on officiating. I counted only two calls that did not go the Sharks' way and at least twice that many that did not go the Flames' way.
The Sharks appear to have worn down. In Game 5, they relied on great goaltending to steal the game, being out-shot for the first time in the series. In Game 6, they were out-shot 25-21, and beaten like a rented mule in the face-off circle.
It is far from over. I expected each of the six games to this point to be won by the team that did win them, and I picked San Jose to win Game 7. But it is how the Sharks are losing that is troubling: they gave two away and now look overmatched.
They are not progressing, they are regressing.
Ron Wilson already has to be held accountable for their lack of preparation in Game 1 and their quitting in Game 3. If he cannot figure a way to counter the momentum Calgary has established, well, strike three—you're outta here!
He should start with the defenseman handling the forecheck. Brian Campbell looks like a wasted trade right now; he and Thornton had more turnovers tonight than Hostess, and they were at least as sugar-coated.
Milan Michalek has been totally absent, and he took away the team's best scoring chance in the second period by playing with the puck on a three-on-one. This is the same modus operandi that has plagued the league's second-best power play over the last two years as soon as they hit the playoffs. STOP PASSING THE PUCK AND GET IT TO THE NET!
That play by Michalek is the Sharks' play in this series in a nutshell: they display skill but get no results.
If the latter does not change, the look of the team and coaching staff will this offseason.
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3 months ago
Could not have said it any better myself. Tuesday will be quite a game. Heres hoping, anyway.
3 months ago
I picked SJ in seven at the start, but since I like underdogs, I'd love to see Calgary pull off the upset.
3 months ago
If the Sharks want to win, another suggestion would be to stop collapsing off the point in their own end. The Flames have obviously figured that out. Even PJ Stock figured in out, and he usually needs to be spoonfed these things.
They could also use some quality scoring chances, as shoveling the puck at the net generally only increases the sharpness of goalies like Kiprusoff (and Joesph for that matter).
It is a pity the only player that seems to be playing with intensity every game is Marleau. I don't think JR would help much with that, but I expect he'll be in tonight. I also agree that Wilson will most likely be gone, regardless of whether the Sharks win or lose.
Having said that, I don't want them to. Go Flames!
Enjoy the game for me. I'm stuck in government climate change meetings until partway through the second.
from 3 months ago
Wow, the Canadian government talks about climate change? It seems that they have yet another advantage up in Calgary...
I have nothing left to say in defence of San Jose. I hope they win - but even if they do, who could possibly be cinsidered a favorable second round matchup?
from 3 months ago
Good points and suggestions, although no way Wilson gets fired either way--if we bounce back and win this and the next series, he's probably safe, and he obviously is if we win the Cup.
I will also be working, and have to TiVo it. However, since it sounds like you would be rooting for the enemy, I can not "enjoy the game for you." Either it will be enjoyable to me or to you, not both. And I'm taking you out of my lineup for that...(kidding).
3 months ago
"STOP PASSING THE PUCK AND GET IT TO THE NET!"
This is a variation of what I yell at the TV every time the Sharks decide to get fancy with their passing. Mine is more like "SHOOT IT, FOR GOD'S SAKE!!" I feel ya, here.
And Michalek!? Oh goodness, he is just terrible lately. He and Brian Campbell both. The crappy part is that if they sit, who takes their place?
Ozolinsh? Semenov? GOC?!?! (Lord, please not Goc!) Where the h-e-doublehockeystick was JR last night?
Here's to hoping that the Sharks can pull it together and win in front of their home crowd on Tuesday...
Cheers!
from 3 months ago
Actually, I would not mind seeing Ozolinsh--he was even playing some defense ealier in the season, he's our only player to have won the Cup, and he should be able to handle the forecheck because of his passing skill. Don't know why Wilson has sat him almost the entire second half of the season. And since JR can play, they can go with last night's lineup minus Michalek. I also would not mind seeing them play seven D and sit Shelley--like his play, but there are no messages to be sent, and we could use someone with more skill.
3 months ago
Is it wrong that I actually enjoyed watching ABC Family's airing of Mean Girls more than the Sharks game last night?
Yeah, I said it. What?! =P
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