Game Day Report: Sharks @ Predators
By Ryan Bayer
Oct 25, 2011 Nashville,TN, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) faces off against Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. San Jose defeated Nashville 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Today the San Jose Sharks are entering game two of a their six game road trip as they face the Nashville Predators for the second time this month. In addition this will be the first time in which Nashville plays hosts to the Sharks. In their last contest against one another, the Predators came away with a 2-1 shootout win. Nashville’s Pekka Rinne made 26 of 27 saves including all three of the Sharks shooters in the shootout round. In the regulation portion of the contest Martin Havlat of San Jose and Sergei Kostitsyn of Nashville each scored for their club respectively.
The Sharks are ridding on a five game loosing skid and suffered perhaps their worst loss of the season courtesy of the Columbus Blue Jackets by a 6-2 final. Three major problems that were present in their loss against Columbus were one, the offense did not show up at all, two, the leadership group went AWOL, and three, goaltender Thomas Greiss was not focused in his crease.
For the Nashville Predators, they have won three of their last five games. In that stretch, they were shutout by the league leading Chicago Blackhawks that featured a 3-0 final.
As of today the San Jose Sharks in second place of the Pacific Division and fourth overall in the Western Conference with a 7-3-2 records that includes 16 points to their credit. The Predators are ranked third in the Central Division and sixth in West including a 5-3-4 posting and 14 points.
Tale of The Tape Report:
Sharks
Goals per game: 2.83 (10th)
Goals-against per game: 2.17 (7th)
Power play: 23.3 percent (8th)
Penalty kill: 86.5 percent (6th)
Predators
Goals per game: 1.83 (30th)
Goals-against per game: 1.92 (T – 2nd)
Power play: 15.4 percent (21st)
Penalty kill: 81.8 percent (13th)
***Tale of The Tape Report courtesy of Kevin Kurz.***
Official Link: http://www.csncalifornia.com/blog/kevin-kurz/sharks-predators-glance-0
San Jose/Worcester Sharks forward #22. Mandatory Credit: Steve Babineau
Worcester Sharks Call Up Report: According to Sharks Radio announcer Dan Rusanowsky in his pre-game radio report today, San Jose has called up scoring forward Tim Kennedy from the Worcester Sharks. Kennedy has appeared in 37 games with the AHL Sharks and has posted 37 points which includes 13 goals and 24 assists. This will be the San Jose Sharks second call up request on their six game roadie. Their first was Matt Pelech who been dressed as a forward in the lineup.
Who’s Hot: Sharks goalie Antti Niemi, who had the night off Monday, pitched a shutout in his last start, making 21 saves, but was still saddled with a 1-0 loss via the shootout. He’s fifth in the League in GAA (1.82) and save percentage (.933). Rinne has held up well for the Predators despite the lack of goal support — though he gave up three goals Sunday, he had allowed only three combined over his previous four starts, all wins.
Injury Report: San Jose forward Andrew Desjardins missed Monday’s game with flu-like symptoms. Nashville defenseman Hal Gill (undisclosed) is day-to-day, while forward Patric Hornqvist is on injured reserve with a knee sprain.
***Who’s Hot/Injury Report: Courtesy of the San Jose Sharks.***
Official Link: http://sharks.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2012020184&navid=DL|SJS|home
Today’s contest has a 5:00p PST puck drop and can been seen on Comcast Sportsnet California HD and can be heard on 98.5 KFOX.
LET’S GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!
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