NHL Playoffs 2011: San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings Game 1 Breakdown
It just may be time to remove any “Little” reference to Joe Pavelski, because he is one of the San Jose Sharks' biggest playoff performers.
Sharks head coach Todd McLellan emphasized a fast start and “racing to three” as crucial points in the opening round. And against Los Angeles, the series figured to be a rough one—considering the 20 years of bad blood between these two clubs.
The game didn’t disappoint for those expecting a nasty showdown, but it ended with Joe Pavelski again being the playoff hero. Pavelski scored the overtime winner at 14:44 to give the Sharks victory number one of 16 on their quest for the Stanley Cup.
It wasn’t all good news for the Sharks, as Ian White left the game late in the first period following a dirty check from behind by Jarret Stoll along the boards. It will be interesting to see what the NHL does to respond to this hit; it is just an ugly play that doesn’t belong in the NHL.
Next up is the recap and analysis for Game 1 of the Sharks’ 2010-11 Western Conference Quarterfinals series.
For the Five Bold Predictions for Game 1 click here.
Game Recap
1 of 7
Dany Heatley wasted no time putting the Sharks ahead just 30 seconds into the game, setting a franchise record for quickest goal in a playoff game. Driving the net with authority, Heatley put home the Ryane Clowe rebound, following a nifty feed from Ian White.
Ian White left the game following a clear boarding penalty after having his head targeted by Jarrett Stoll, with 30 seconds left in the first period. How this is not a penalty I still do not know, and the league has to take immediate action because it’s clearly an intent to injure.
Leaving the Sharks with just five defensemen, it exposed San Jose’s Achilles' heel as we’ve seen earlier in the year. Jason Demers answered the call, taking on the additional minutes with Niclas Wallin and finishing with 27:31 of ice time.
Ben Eager wasted no time answering for San Jose, pummeling Kyle Clifford with several right hands and a nasty elbow.
Dustin Brown tied the score on the power play in the second period, one-timing the Justin Williams pass home on odd man rush down the ice. Couture’s shot went wide on a shorthanded chance down the ice and the subsequent rebound off the Zamboni-side end boards led to the 2-1 rush.
Logan Couture took back the lead just three minutes later for the San Jose Sharks, on two great plays by Ryane Clowe. After deftly evading a Drew Doughty hip check, Couture went five hole on Quick for the 2-1 San Jose lead.
A blown communication with about three minutes left allowed Justin Williams to sneak the puck home against an unsuspecting Antti Niemi. Douglas Murray left his man to deliver the big hit and it cost the Sharks late with about two minutes left in the period.
The Kings returned the favor, outshooting the Sharks 16-9 in the second period but neither team could score in the third.
With the game knotted up, the Sharks and Kings headed to overtime where Niemi came up with some huge saves to save the Sharks. None bigger than the open net chance on Richardson just three minutes into the opening frame—Niemi was simply magical late.
Joe Pavelski ended the game as a third trailer at 14:44, going high glove side against Jonathan Quick and giving the Sharks the 1-0 series lead.
Antti Niemi recorded 33 saves for the 3-2 win, posting a sparkling .943 save percentage and coming up with some key saves late in the third as well as overtime.
Defensive Issues
2 of 7
San Jose does not have the horses on the blueline and game one clearly showed the chinks in the armor for the Sharks. White’s departure caused the same ripple effect that we’ve seen earlier in the year when Boyle was still chewing up 32 minutes a night.
The ugly breakout issues like the ones we saw in last year's playoffs against the aggressive Blackhawk forecheck, again raised their heads in the second period. Ian White must return to restore the third pairing and bring back the consistency his first pass brings.
Jason Demers deserves a bulk of credit; the coaching staff has entrusted this youngster all year long despite heavy criticism. He took on a significant chunk of additional ice time, including several double shifts in the second period.
Demers led the team with six blocked shots and his heads-up play helped the Sharks maintain some offense in the second period.
I’m convinced that Dan Boyle is either an alien or there’s really two of him, because he totaled a whopping 35 minutes of ice time, 29 of them at even strength leading the Sharks.
Hot Start
3 of 7
The Sharks dominated the first period through long stretches, outshooting the Kings 14-3 while setting up camp in the L.A. zone. The intensity and forecheck was simply relentless early and had Los Angeles on their heels.
Unfortunately, untimely penalties and the injury to Ian White took the wind out of the sails before a third period recovery. Los Angeles outshot the Sharks 16-9 in the second period and kept the Sharks in their own end for long stretches.
The third period was much improved from a San Jose perspective, and play in the rest of the series should look more like this period. Gritty, grinding defensive play backed by great goaltending and propelled by timely goals, we won't be watching many blowouts.
The Kings looked heavily outmatched against the Sharks at full strength, but will be fighting for the split in game two. The Sharks have to enjoy the win and quickly put it past them to concentrate on heading back to L.A. up 2-0.
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=256)
What Didn’t Work
4 of 7
Undisciplined penalties: Simply put the Sharks need to stop taking the dumb penalties, because it will sink them in the playoffs. In that same breath however, they must also maintain focus because they came out in the second period looking flat and nothing like the team that went in.
Douglas Murray: Had a night to forget making the mistake on the Williams goal, and allowing the odd man rush in OT while pinching in. It looked like emotions got the better of the big man tonight, but he will bounce back in game two.
Power play: The second unit didn’t fare too well tonight, which can be attributed to the loss of Ian White and the Sharks' struggles in the faceoff circle. Looking disjointed in the early going before getting some prime chances late in the third, the power play must improve against L.A.
Line changes: Despite playing at home, the Sharks made some serious miscues while changing, including the Kyle Clifford chance on the odd man rush just three minutes into the third period.
What Did Work
5 of 7
Pavelski-Mitchell-Wellwood line: This line consistently generates chances and turnovers, and has a peculiar mix of skill that kept the Kings hemmed in through long stretches. And who in the NHL has been as hot as Pavelski since February?
Clowe-Couture-Heatley line: Not to be outdone, the Sharks' second line did it all last night when it counted most. Standing up for teammates, creating turnovers, clutch scoring and playing awesome hockey. Clowe had three assists but his leadership and fire is easily his biggest contribution, keeping the locker room tight and believing in one another.
Joe Thornton: Joe was one of the best two-way players last night, and his vision continues to amaze with a few beautiful passes including the blind backhand feed to Setoguchi.
Even Strength: San Jose dominated in this area, outshooting the visitors to the tune of 41-33 and kept the zone for long stretches in the game. Without the bad bounce on the penalty kill and the “gift” goal, the Sharks would have walked away with a regulation victory.
Taking care of business: The Sharks refused to stoop to the Kings' thuggery and went without a penalty for the entire third period with the game on the line.
Vlasic-Demers: These two defensemen filled the void left by Ian White's injury, and Vlasic registered five takeaways while logging an impressive 28 minutes. The pair has a chemistry that brings an explosive element to the Sharks' transition game—now, if Marc-Edouard would just shoot more.
What’s Next
6 of 7
Game two looms ahead for San Jose with the Kings no doubt looking to rebound, but they have got to be pleased with their effort in game one.
With the 1-0 series lead, San Jose must keep the foot on the gas and eliminate the miscues that blemished this win. The turnovers in their own zone, and more importantly, the communication issues, cannot continue for a long Sharks playoff run.
Jonathan Quick was spectacular at times, but the Sharks were still taking way too many stale shots without a presence in the crease. It would be nice to see the power play improve as well, as they lacked consistency against the stingy L.A. defense tonight.
Of course if the Sharks could win a draw in the Kings zone, that might help matters as well.
One thing we do know for sure, is that the bad blood isn’t going to be dying down anytime soon. Expect more gritty play with an even nastier edge as the series progresses. The rough stuff between Ben Eager/Ryane Clowe versus Kyle Clifford/Brad Richardson will reach a boiling point very shortly—can’t wait to watch it.
The Sharks look to take control of the series against an overmatched Los Angeles team in game two.
Here’s to victory two of 16.
Want More Sharks Playoff Coverage?
7 of 7
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
