Sharks Struggle to Win in Regulation

The San Jose Sharks continue to struggle to find consistency and almost exclusively rely on shootouts to find victories in the young season. 

On February 5th, the Sharks strolled into Orange County for a 2-game tilt against the Ducks. In the first game, Nitro sets off the scoring at 6:50 of the 1st, but the Ducks dominated the middle frame, scoring three times. In the 3rd, San Jose came back with three of their own before allowing the Ducks the game-tying goal to force OT. Ultimately Donato and Lebanc score in the shootout to seal the victory. In the second game, Couture scores at 19:48 in the first shift of the game. While Dubnyk is the story all night coming up huge for San Jose, the Sharks ultimately fall 2-1 in the shootout. 

February 9th, we saw the Sharks taxi up to the Staple Center in LA for a 2-game set against the Kings. In game 1, San Jose storms out to take a 2-0 lead with tallies by Meier and Couture. Only to see it evaporate by the Kings scoring the next 3 goals. Kane ties the affair 3-3 with 44 seconds left to force the overtime. With Couture scoring in the shootout to seal the Sharks victory. In game 2, we saw the Kings score early and often. Tomas Hertl added two goals, but the Kings pulled away in the 3rd, scoring the next 3 for a 6-2 lopsided victory. 

It has been 342 days since the Sharks could last call the friendly confines of the SAP Center home. February 13th, the Sharks ended a 12-game road trip to open the season by welcoming the Vegas Golden Knights to the SAP Center for their 2021 home opener! Vegas spoiled the festivities with 3 powerplay goals, all scored with Evander Kane in the box for the Sharks, and came away with the 3-1 win. Erik Karlsson left in the 3rd and did not return with an apparent injury.

On the 15th of February, the Ducks arrived at the Tank and opened up the scoring with a deflection off Mario Ferraro's skate, a tough break for the young defenseman. The Sharks would score the next 3 goals, including the 1st of John Leonard's young career, and hold off the Ducks for the 3-2 regulation win. Something they have struggled mightily to find so far this season.

Team Resiliency: Winning Formula

At 10-2-2, the Boston Bruins presently look like one of the best teams in the NHL. Their record aside, the team resiliency is what impresses me the most. This team is never out of a game; in the most desperate and needed times, the Bruins produce and find ways to win, time after time. 

On February 3rd, the Bruins found themselves at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia for 2-games against the Flyers. 12 seconds in, David Pastrnak, fresh off a 2-goal performance against Washington, opens up the scoring by sneaking one past Carter Hart's five-hole. We saw a lackluster performance at times by the young Bruins defensive core, resulting in Tuukka Rask allowing 3 goals on the night. Bruins overcome a 2 goal deficit to force overtime, including Pastrnak in a hat trick performance with only 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Patrice Bergeron did quick work in the overtime, tipping one past Carter Hart for the game-winner 30 seconds in. Philadelphia never had possession in the OT.

Two days later, the two squads once again squared off in a back and forth effort that remained scoreless into the 3rd when the Flyers finally broke one past Rask. Once again, we saw the Bruins victorious in a comeback effort with goals by Marchand and Kurally. Their 4th consecutive come-from-behind win in the 3rd period.

On February 10th, the Bruins, at 7-0-1 in their last 8 games, rolled into Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers for a 2-game set. At 15:08 of the 3rd, with New York leading 1-0, Jake Debrusk skated through the crease roofing one past the netminder

Alexandar Georgiev, after review, it was determined the puck didn't completely cross the goal line. Minutes later, Sean Kurally made sure it counted with a shorthanded wrist shot to tie the score at 1-1. The two teams then traded goals to force overtime. With the Bruins even surviving a Tuukka Rask brain fart when he attempted to come off the ice for an extra attacker, thinking the club was down 2-1. Brad Marchand scored 36 seconds into OT on a breakaway wrist shot.

In the second game of the series, the Bruins found themselves as the beneficiaries of a 1-0 Halak shutout courtesy of a Nick Ritchie goal at 9:27 of the second. The real story is how the young Bruins responded to their teammates on ice treatment by the Rangers. At 9:27 of the 2nd, we saw Trent Frederic drop the gloves with Brandon Lemieux, where the young muscle held his own in a spirited bout. Shortly after that, in a lopsided tilt, Jeremy Lauzon unloads uppercuts on Pavel Buchnevich. A statement game that this Bruins team is not going to take any shit.

On February 13th, Boston shuttled down to Long Island, where they saw their 10-game point streak snapped at the hands of the New York Islanders. Marchand and Bergeron both added goals in a 4-2 losing effort, with both regulation losses this season happening at Nassau Coliseum. The Bruins next play Thursday against the Devils.

Game cancellations & Welcome back home to San Jose

If you are reading this, then your probably well aware of the past two games against Vegas were recently postponed due to possible covid exposure. The Sharks won't retake the ice until Friday, February 5th, when they will find themselves in southern California to square off with the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks have not played since a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche on February 28th. A full 8 days off is exactly what this team needed. A chance to go home, recoup and recharge because this team just looked spent. The revised schedule will go as follows;

After being held up in Arizona by the more than accommodating Coyotes. The Sharks got the green light to return home and resume home game play back at the friendly confindes to SAP center starting on February 13th. Though there will still be no fans in attendance, it will serve as yet another chance at normalcy for the San Jose Sharks in an already very erratic season. 

The Return of David Pastrnak & Zdeno Chara

Saturday night in Washington DC was a reunion of sorts for the Bruins Organization. The Washington Capitals and longtime Bruins captain Zdeno Chara welcomed them to the city for a 2-game set. More importantly, from the Bruins perspective, it marked the season debut of David Pastrnak. who missed the first seven games of the season after hip surgery.

Pastrnak, the NHL's reigning co-Rocket Richard award winner, is a welcome addition to an already potent Bruins lineup. In the first game, there was apparent rust that needed to be shaken off. He was getting the looks and chances; nothing was hitting the back of the net, though. The Bruins even rallied from 0-3 down to tie it only to lose in overtime on an Alexander Ovechkin wrist shot ultimately.

In the second game, we saw more of the same, with the Bruins going down 0-3 against Washington only to rally once again and ultimately win it 5-3 in regulation. This contest saw David Pastrnak tuck two goals as well as a much anticipated, spirited bout between Trent Frederic and Tom Wilson, which seemed to really tilt the ice in the Bruins favor.