Game Day Report: Sharks Vs. Oilers
By Ryan Bayer
Dec 17, 2011; San Jose, CA, USA; NHL linesman Ryan Galloway (82) drops the puck on a face off between San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) and Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during the second period at HP Pavilion. San Jose defeated Edmonton 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Today the San Jose Shark will be wrapping up their two game Canada road trip as they face off against the Edmonton Oilers. San Jose is coming off of a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames in which Patrick Marleau scored two goals. Martin Havlat and Dan Boyle also scored against the Flames. As for the host team Edmonton, they defeated the Vancouver Canucks by a 3-2 final in the shootout. Both Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner scored in the shootout. Tonight’s contest is the first of three meetings between these two clubs.
Matchup: This contest should make it a very interesting one to watch. San Jose will be rolling out their veteran talent against the rising stars of Edmonton’s youth movement.
Player Watch:
San Jose: Marty Havlat. The Sharks winger scored the game-winning goal against the Flames on Sunday, burying a rebound. Havlat had the benefit of a full (although brief) training camp after numerous injuries last season, and if he can stay healthy, could add some scoring punch to the second line. The Sharks were 25-11-1 with Havlat in the lineup last season and just 18-18-7 without him.
Edomonton: Justin Schultz. The young free agent defenseman was pursued by a number of NHL teams in the offseason before joining Edmonton’s young core. He suited up for Oklahoma City (AHL) during the lockout, and all he did there was score 48 points (18g, 30a) in 34 games. Schultz is among the front-runners for this season’s Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.
***Official link: http://www.csncalifornia.com/blog/kevin-kurz/sharks-look-stay-unbeaten-against-youthful-oilers***
Goaltending Matchups:
San Jose: In his last 4 starts against the Edmonton Oilers, Antti Niemi is 3-0-1 that includes a 2.26 goals allowed average and a .902 save percentage. Niemi’s last start vs Calgary, he turned away 31 of 32 shots on net.
Edmonton: With seven career starts to his credit vs San Jose, Oilers netminder Devan Dubnyk is 4-3-0 that includes a 2.43 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. Dubnyk is slated to be their starter in goal tonight vs the Sharks. In his last start against the Canucks, Dudnyk stopped 27 out of 29 shots including both shoots he face in the shootout.
Report Piece from Oil On Whyte
Staff Writer: Jeffery Chapman
Edmonton will have to keep out of the box. Six times they were down a man against the Canucks. Luckily, they were 6/6 on the penalty kill. Don’t know how many times the team will be able to knock off six penalties. Let’s shoot for about half that number.
link: http://oilonwhyte.com/2013/01/21/game-preview-san-jose-sharks-edmonton-oilers/
2011-2012 Season Series Statistics: San Jose tied Edmonton 2-2
****Scott Gomez update: General Manager Doug Wilson indicated that a decision on the free agent is projected to be within the next day or two. Furthermore, the signs are present that Gomez will sign his 1 year contract with the organization very soon. Gomez could potentially make his San Jose Sharks debut at their home opener against the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday night.****
Tonight’s contest has a 7:oop PST puck drop and can be seen on Comcast Sports Net California and be heard on 98.5 KFOX.
LET’S GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!
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