San Jose Sharks Struggling In The Faceoff Circle

The San Jose Sharks have had a rough couple of games this week, and part of the struggle lies in the faceoff circle.

More from Editorials

• Korenar deserves a chance at the NHL level
• Three prospects the Sharks should consider drafting
• Red hot Couture provides a much needed boost
• Is it reasonable for the Sharks to fire Doug Wilson?
• NHL misses golden opportunity with Tahoe games

For one, Logan Couture has been taking many less than he usually does. When Todd McLellan was asked why, he simply stated that it’s “Pretty simple. Logan hasn’t been winning very many. Not that Patty’s numbers have been astronomical, but they’ve been much better than Logan’s. We haven’t started with the puck on a regular basis like we normally do.”

Couture denies that the lack of success in the faceoff circle has anything to do with his hand surgery. But who really knows on that note. He kept playing through his injury last post season, so there’s no reason to take what he’s saying 100 percent serious. Though it is the start of the season, so to be lying about such a thing now just seems pointless.

“Unfortunately, when you look at numbers in faceoff circles, one guy represents the group, and that’s the centerman,” McLellan said. “I go back to the New York game, there were faceoffs we were winning and we weren’t on our toes, so the win quickly turned into a loss and it reflected on an individual stat. But for me, they’re a team stat and they were better in Boston, which is an improvement.”

I do believe that the Sharks will improve on their faceoff percentage, however for the time being, the struggle the Sharks have seen is far too familiar for Sharks fans around the globe.

Thankfully the Sharks are still ahead with more wins than losses; currently at 4-3-1 and 10th in the league. It’s still early and there is a lot of hockey left to play. I’m confident this will turn around for the men in teal.