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San Jose Sharks Road Trip: Three Major Takeaways

By Michael Gutnick

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 09: Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his first period power-play goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with his teammates on the bench on October 9, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 09: Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his first period power-play goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with his teammates on the bench on October 9, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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San Jose Sharks
SAN JOSE, CA – OCTOBER 20: Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks shoots the puck against the New York Islanders at SAP Center on October 20, 2018 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /

A Change in the Defensive Guard?

At the beginning of the season, Peter DeBoer decided to put together his defensive duos as follows:

Brent Burns – Joakim Ryan

Erik Karlsson – Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Justin Braun – Brenden Dillon

It seems that  alterations have been made with the San Jose Sharks blue line pairings through the course of the three-game stretch. As we’ve seen over the last four years, the dynamic duo of Vlasic and Braun were reunited on the second defensive pairing seen in the games against the Canes and the Ducks. With that transition, it meant that two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson moved down to the final pairings with Brendan Dillon.

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Now, we aren’t sure if these new defensive combinations are going to be the new norm. However, the fact that there is not a sense of consistency established yet with arguably the Sharks strongest aspect of the game gives a feeling of disintegration.

Keeping in mind that Karlsson’s health also fluctuated last week, it’s not quite clear whether or not these combinations stay the same. But, they proved that they work, and it’s a plan that the San Jose Sharks can fall back on if their original defensive pairings falter due to injury or illness or fatigue.

There is really no benefit other than reconnecting Vlasic and Braun. The Sharks are not going to cut time away from Burns and Karlsson’s time on special teams and average of well over 20 minutes of ice time per game. Dillon and Ryan will continue to rush up on offensive breakouts.

All in all, the Sharks defense solidifies as one of the best in the National Hockey League. A change in the defensive guard is not going to slow down the defensively-minded San Jose Sharks as they prepare for the nice stretch of games at SAP Center.

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