Martin Jones Named NHL’s First Star
The San Jose Sharks have won six straight games, and one of their key cogs was recognized for his outstanding play last week. Sharks goaltender Martin Jones was named the NHL’s First Star for the week ending on Nov. 22.
The 25-year-old Jones went 3-0-0 last week with a .951 save percentage and a 1.63 goals-against-average (GAA), including his third shutout of the season in recording victories over the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jones began the week by helping the Sharks pick up their third straight victory on their season-high six-game road trip when he made 25 saves as San Jose won by a 5-4 margin. While the four goals allowed might not seem like a good performance, Jones made some critical saves to help preserve the victory for the Sharks.
Then, Jones was the best Sharks player on the ice two nights later when he recorded his league-leading third shutout of the season, and 10th of his career, in a 1-0 overtime win over the Flyers. Jones made 34 saves in the performance as without his efforts, San Jose would have likely lost in Philly.
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Finally, Jones posted his third consecutive victory of the week when he made a season-high 38 saves in defeating the Penguins by a 3-1 scoreline.
Jones has been a great acquisition for the Sharks as he’s provided a steadying presence between the pipes for a San Jose team that needed more consistency in net. Thus far, Jones has been everything the Sharks could have expected and more, posting an 11-5-0 overall record with a .929 save percentage and a 2.02 GAA.
Even more impressive, Jones has already posted two winning streaks of at least four games or more. Jones made quite the first impression in teal, winning his first four games in San Jose and setting a new franchise shutout record at 234 minutes and 33 seconds.
Currently, Jones has put together a five-game winning streak, all on the road, as the Sharks won all six games on their most recent road trip. Jones’ play has seen San Jose shoot to the top of the Pacific Division standings, tying the Los Angeles Kings with a 13-8-0 record and 26 points.
Next: San Jose Sharks Weekly Roundup
With Jones in tow, the Sharks will look to continue their winning ways as they return home for a three-game homestand beginning with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow night.
San Jose will be looking for their seventh consecutive victory, and you can bet that Jones will be the one leading the Sharks on to the ice when they square off with Chicago.