San Jose Sharks Drop First Game Of Season To Islanders
The sky is falling!
After watching the San Jose Sharks lose 6-3 to the New York Islanders, I’m confident the 2015-16 season is already over. I mean if this team can’t maintain a perfect record, there’s no chance of them winning the Stanley Cup right?
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This morning, we previewed the Sharks’ keys to success tonight and during the first period, the team looked like they were on track to win. For the most part, the play was even as the teams traded scoring chances with the Sharks getting the lucky bounces as Joe Pavelski was able to redirect a pass behind Jaroslav Halak. Afterwards, this game fell off the rails. Here are some things I noticed.
Lets start with the obvious, Logan Couture and Paul Martin were noticeable absences for this team. The Sharks are going to need them both back healthy if San Jose is going to remain a contender this year.
Congrats to Nikolay Goldobin for scoring his first of many goals tonight. Anything is possible when you play on a line with Joe Thornton and Pavelski.
I’m glad the Sharks have Matt Nieto to complement Patrick Marleau‘s speed. That move to set up Joel Ward‘s first goal as a Shark was a beauty. This goal was a perfect example of why you don’t slide on your belly when defending a 2-on-1. Sliding on your belly allows players to skate around you putting you out of the play. Brent Burns was always victimized for this.
I don’t think many fans were impressed with the play of Alex Stalock tonight. His play seems up-and-down which was on full display in this one. Stalock can have stretches of good play but we would have had to live with this all year had the Sharks not trade for Martin Jones.
In other news, Mike Brown looked like a competent hockey player. I know he’s looked good all year but I noticed some impressive zone entries and board play from him tonight. I’m just happy he doesn’t look atrocious.
Just because the Sharks played the Islanders tonight, I wanted Barclay (Center) Goodrow to break out tonight. He didn’t make an impact but think of how awesome it would have been for him to score tonight.
Obviously, it was inevitable for San Jose to lose a game, but losing three one-goal games makes this one tough to swallow. This game dropped the Sharks from second to sixth in puck possession. Lets hope the Sharks can close out the road trip against the New York Rangers on Monday. Until next time.
Three Stars:
1st star: Kyle Okposo
2nd star: Frans Nielsen
3rd star: Josh Bailey
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