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Martin Jones Saves San Jose Sharks Again on Road Trip

By MJ Kasprzak

Feb 19, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) looks on before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) looks on before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Jose Sharks have three wins to start their road trip as Martin Jones saves 71 of 74 shots…

The San Jose Sharks are on their longest road trip of the 2016-17 NHL season. It may look more like the first roadie if not for net play: 71 Martin Jones saves on 74 shots. Instead they reached the midpoint of the trip with a third consecutive victory Saturday, Nov. 12.

Holding the Tampa Bay Lightning to one goal is no small feat. Jones is now 8-6-0 with a .913 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average on the 2016-17 NHL season.

San Jose’s defensive support was not quite as strong as previous stops on the trip. This time Jones faced 26 shots.

Related Story: San Jose Sharks Defense Closes Win Over Florida Panthers

In fact, the event summary shows Tampa Bay controlled play despite narrowly losing the possession stat battle: 29-30 faceoffs, 8-3 giveaways and 8-4 takeaways. The home team gave up just 20 shots and had a 55-39 edge in attempts but trailed by multiple goals for almost 50 minutes of the game.

Few Scoring Chances

The Sharks had a great chance to take the lead on their first shot of the game. Joonas Donskoi nearly put a penalty shot past big Ben Bishop on a beautiful move 4:05 into the contest.

Patrick Marleau showed he is still fast enough to beat the defense just over three minutes later. He forced the puck to Lightning goalie Bishop with a defender on each hip.

It appeared Marleau had run into Bishop and the goal was originally called off for incidental goalie contact. However, San Jose coach Peter DeBoer won a challenge that revealed Brayden Point made contact with his own goalie.

Jan 6, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; San Jose Sharks forward Melker Karlsson (68) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Melker Karlsson initiated the game-winning score for the San Jose Sharks—probably while injured—that held up thanks to 25 Martin Jones saves. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sharks added to the lead quickly. Melker Karlsson laid a puck through the neutral zone about three minutes later that Chris Tierney caught up to along the halfboards. Tommy Wingels was alone in the slot to one-time home the ensuing pass for what wound up as his second consecutive game-winning goal.

Scoring Dries Up

Karlsson finished the period but did not return. He left the rink in a walking boot per CSN Bay Area Insider Kevin Kurz. Logic points to the injury coming from blocking a Victor Hedman shot just over three minutes into the game.

Tampa Bay held a substantial advantage in shots (20-14) and attempts (45-30) over the final 49:47. Nevertheless, San Jose closed out the win with edges in blocks (16-9) and hits (23-20) over the course of the game.

Both goalies allowed just one goal afterwards. Marc-Edouard Vlasic wired a wrister on a power play in the second period. Jones stoned everything but a shot Anton Stralman bounced off the stick of Paul Martin in the third.

The Carolina Hurricanes are next for the Sharks Tuesday. The trip closes with the St. Louis Blues Thursday and Arizona Coyotes Saturday.

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