Mar 17, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele (55) scores past San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) during the first period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks had everything to play for Tuesday night as they looked to narrow the gap on the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference playoff race. Instead, the Sharks fell flat on their face as the Jets used three first period goals to cruise to a 5-2 victory and all but bury any chance San Jose has of making the playoffs.
It was an embarrassing effort from the Sharks who were thoroughly outplayed in the first period as the Jets seized control of the game early. San Jose did little right on the night when their absolute best was needed.
Get off to a fast start: nope. Their seven-game road trip could not have started any worse as Adam Lowry banked home a shot to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead just 70 seconds into the hockey game. Just how the Sharks drew it up I’m sure.
Solid goaltending: nope. Antti Niemi lasted just 13 minutes in this one as he allowed three goals on only eight shots. Not the kind of performance that’s needed from your number one goalie with the season on the line.
Strong penalty kill: nope. The Sharks allowed the Jets to go two-for-three on the night, as Winnipeg got back-to-back power-play goals from Mark Scheifele and Andrew Ladd to chase Niemi from the nets and give the Jets a 3-0 advantage.
Potent power play: nope. San Jose came up empty on their three power-play opportunities despite numerous chances. Again, that’s unacceptable from a unit that prides itself on drawing penalties and making their opponents pay.
The only sliver of good news from this one from a Sharks’ perspective was Joe Pavelski netting his 33rd and 34th goals of the year, breaking a string of five games without a goal. It would be great to see Pavelski hit the 40-goal plateau in what is becoming a lost season.
Blake Wheeler would score his 21st and 22nd goals of the year, one in the second and one in the third, to round out the scoring for Winnipeg and essentially pour salt in the wound of the San Jose Sharks.
The Winnipeg fans even enjoyed getting into the act, taunting the Sharks with a “Whose Your Captain” chant as their hometown Jets crushed San Jose.
#NHLJets fans with another beauty chant for opposing team...tonight a "Whose Your Captain" directed at #SJSharks
— Jim Toth (@JimTothSports) March 18, 2015
With everything surrounding this team, it was a nightmare of a game in this nightmare of a season. This San Jose team hasn’t learned from last season’s playoff exit as the same lack of fight and determination still exists in this year’s version of the Sharks. With the season on the line, San Jose has now been outscored 11-4 in their past two games.
Forget the playoffs, this Sharks team may not survive this road trip after that brutal display.
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