San Jose Sharks Fresh Faces Paying Immediate Dividends
The San Jose Sharks made a bevy of changes from the team that opened the 2014-15 season in Los Angeles against the Kings. General manager Doug Wilson knew that he needed to upgrade the talent and depth of the Sharks and that’s just what he did.
After an emphatic opening statement win over Los Angeles, the fresh faces in teal have acquitted themselves nicely.
It all starts between the pipes where Martin Jones stoned his former teammates. Jones was rock solid in stopping 19 of 20 shots, including a highlight reel save on Tyler Toffoli just before the end of the second period.
Jones is a complete opposite from Antti Niemi. Jones is calm and composed in the net and always feels like he’s in command. There were plenty of questions about whether Jones could step to the forefront and assume the number one position. Even though it’s only one game, Jones appears ready for the season-long challenge that awaits.
In front of Jones, Paul Martin was a perfect pickup on defense. Martin provides a steadying, veteran presence, and the partnership of Martin and Brent Burns will likely be San Jose’s best defensive duo this season.
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Martin’s defensive play led to the Sharks first goal as he stepped up along the boards, forced a turnover, and led a three-on-one rush where Joe Thornton fired home his first goal of the season.
Martin had the lone assist on the Thornton goal and was a plus-two on the night in 18:30 of ice time, including more than four minutes on the penalty kill. Expect to see his ice time totals increase as the Sharks spent plenty of time on the power play due to the undisciplined nature of the Kings.
Finally, up front, Joonas Donskoi and Joel Ward were both solid in their debuts in teal. Ward is the perfect right wing with Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture where he adds a physical dimension to the skill of his linemates.
Ward registered two shots on net and can play in any situation. He played 18:29 on Wednesday, including 3:52 of power play time and 3:20 of shorthanded action.
Meanwhile, it was quite a night for the rookie Donskoi. Despite being on the ice for just nine minutes and 46 seconds, Donskoi was a plus-three. He provided the screen in front of Jonathan Quick when Burns snapped home another one of his patented wrist shots from the point.
He was rewarded in the third period with his first career NHL goal when he crashed the net. Joe Pavelski’s shot hit the crossbar and rebounded in off Donskoi’s chest. It’s pretty evident that Donskoi has received Peter DeBoer’s message of getting to the front of the net.
Overall, there was a lot to like about the San Jose Sharks and their effort on opening night. The additions provided a new energy to this team and the results were immediate. Now the challenge is to showcase the consistency on a night-to-night basis, but thus far, the newcomers after fitting in seamlessly in San Jose.
Next: San Jose Sharks Dominate Kings In Opening Night Rout