San Jose Sharks: Pacific Division Stock Report – Week One
The 2015-16 NHL season has officially begun, and after just one week, things in the Pacific Division don’t appear like many people envisioned. The San Jose Sharks got off to a resounding start by handling their top two division rivals in fine fashion: a 5-1 beat down of the Los Angeles Kings and a 2-0 shutout of the Anaheim Ducks.
The Sharks look like a much deeper and balanced team and should be in position to challenge for the top of the division all season. After one week of play, let’s take a look at how the standings are shaking out.
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Clearly, the surprise is at the top and the bottom of the division standings. The Vancouver Canucks sit atop the division after picking up points in their first three games, including a 2-1 shootout victory over Anaheim last night. While I don’t think the Canucks have the depth to withstand this pace over the course of the season, it’s a nice start for a team not many people expected much out of.
San Jose and the Arizona Coyotes are tied with four points apiece, and both teams have been stingy in their defensive end. The Sharks have allowed just one goal, while the Coyotes have received solid goaltending from Mike Smith in allowing two goals in their first two games.
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The Sharks are in a perfect position as they’ve posted the best goal margin to date with a plus-six differential, as Martin Jones has stopped 46 of 47 shots he’s faced. San Jose has four lines they are rolling over consistently and it’s paid off to date.
The Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks are next in the standings, as the Ducks have sputtered in their first two outings of the season. Frederik Andersen has been really good in net, but the Ducks have had trouble finding the back of the net with just one goal in two games.
Finally, there’s one team familiar with the bottom and another who’s surprising to be there. The Edmonton Oilers, and former Sharks coach Todd McLellan, have scored one goal in dropping a pair of games against Central Division foes, but the Kings have looked lost to begin the season with a pair of routs.
After scoring on their first shot to begin the season, Los Angeles allowed nine straight goals against San Jose and Arizona as Jonathan Quick has a 4.50 goals-against-average and an .833 save percentage. It’s been an ugly start and Sharks fans probably hope it continues.
San Jose heads out East for a four-game road trip this week as they look to maintain their standing as one of the top teams in the Pacific. If the Sharks can get off to a good start with some of their division foes struggling, San Jose can begin to put some early distance between them and the rest of the division.
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