Joe Pavelski Well-Deserving Of All-Star Selection
The San Jose Sharks will have two representatives at the All-Star game in Nashville this weekend, and today we look back at the first half of captain Joe Pavelski who will be making his first-ever appearance with the league’s best players.
It’s been quite the year for Pavelski who continues to elevate his game year-after-year. He leads San Jose with 25 goals, 49 points, and a plus-18 rating. He’s one forward who Peter DeBoer trusts in any situation, racking up an average ice time of 20:21 per game, the second-highest total of his career.
The 31-year-old Pavelski has entered the prime of his career, and he continues to lead this Sharks team forward. Currently, San Jose sits in second place within the Pacific Division with a 26-18-4 record as they entered the break on a 10-game point streak.
His captaincy and leadership have certainly been tested this season as San Jose has struggled with consistency at different points of the first half.
Despite the ups-and-downs, Pavelski’s game has been one of the constants for the Sharks. Whenever San Jose has needed a big goal, their captain has answered the bell. He leads the entire league with eight game-winning goals, including his most recent one against the Minnesota Wild when he snapped one home with 1:24 remaining.
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Also, Pavelski continues his ascent as one of the NHL’s best snipers. Helping his cause is the play of his linemate Joe Thornton who has been on fire of late. Thornton is riding a 10-game point streak into the All-Star break, and has recorded points in 18 of his last 19 games.
The beneficiary of most of those assists has been Pavelski who was on the receiving end of a picture perfect pass on a 5-on-3 last night that he buried for Thornton’s 1,300th career point. That tally extended Pavelski’s goal streak to three games as he’s led the Sharks into the break on an 8-0-2 run.
He has now outgrown the “Little Joe” nickname and has fully assumed the role of the “Big Pavelski” or “Captain Clutch.” Regardless of what you want to call him, it’s clear to anyone that has watched this Sharks team over the first half of the season that Pavelski is the unquestioned heart-and-soul. He leads by example and isn’t afraid to call out his teammates if need be.
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There’s nothing flashy about Pavelski’s game, but it certainly is effective and well-deserving of the All-Star nod. Hopefully he’s able to enjoy his time in Nashville and showcase the offensive skills that many have come to know and love in the Bay Area.