San Jose Sharks Reaping Rewards Of Improved Depth
By Sam Kelly
Prior to the start of the regular season, we identified five keys to a successful year for the San Jose Sharks. One of those keys was increased scoring depth, as just five Sharks hit the 40-point plateau during San Jose’s disappointing 2014-15 campaign.
If the team’s performance through the first three games of the season is any indication, the Sharks are well on their way to addressing that issue.
As of today, there are only three players in the lineup who have yet to register a point: Justin Braun, Brenden Dillon and Matt Tennyson. San Jose’s fourth line has combined for five points through three games, and every forward on the team has shown up on the score sheet.
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Goaltender Martin Jones has been stellar between the pipes, but the team’s balanced offensive attack, which was on full display in a 5-0 rout of the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, is what has seen them jump out to a 3-0 record.
Unsurprisingly, newly-named captain Joe Pavelski currently leads the way with four points. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns are next in line with three points apiece. Thornton and Marleau each have two goals on the year, putting them in a three-way tie with Tomas Hertl for the team lead.
Seven Sharks have two points, including two fourth-liners in Chris Tierney and Barclay Goodrow. Even enforcer Mike Brown has a goal early; the reward of a nice drive to the net following up on Tierney’s rebound.
The increased depth has manifested itself on the stat sheet across the league as well as San Jose currently ranks fifth in the NHL with 12 goals scored, and second in goals per game with 4.0. In the past, San Jose has been far too dependent on their top-six forwards, but the scoring has been spread throughout each of the four lines.
Against Los Angeles, it was the power play and the top line that helped pave the way, while the second line was San Jose’s best against Anaheim. In the victory last night, three of the four lines found the back of the net which shows how good this team can be when their lines are rolling.
The Sharks still have 79 regular-season games left to play, but their scoring depth through the first week has been undeniably impressive. If they can continue to receive offensive contributions from players up and down the lineup, the tide could change in San Jose, and the waves could carry this team back to the playoffs.
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