3 Pivotal Games Down the Stretch for the San Jose Sharks

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The San Jose Sharks are in the midst of the final full month of the season when each game matters more than the last. However there are a few games that have a little more significance than others…

Team Teal is heading down the final stretch of the regular season on fire going 18 – 6 – 1 since January first. They’ve recorded the leagues 4th best point percentage during that span, per naturalstattrick. Overall the San Jose Sharks have played well as season establishing themselves as one of the few legitimate Stanley Cup contenders

The Sharks have shown that they are able to win regardless of the situation at hand. They’ve had the leagues worst save percentage, been without their best player for a fifth of their games, and got dealt one of the toughest road schedules in the entire league.

They’ve persevered throughout it all and have positioned themselves nicely with playoffs set to begin in about a month. However at the moment the San Jose Sharks are trailing the Calgary Flames for first place in Western Conference. Surpassing the Flames for first place is even more important this year because it means that they get to avoid the 3 seed in their division which will more than likely be the red-hot Vegas Golden Knights.

The Calgary Flames have the easiest remaining schedule down the stretch according to powerrankingsguru. This put tons of pressure on Team Teal who own the 22nd easiest schedule with 16 games remaining. Every game counts but a few matter more than the others. Here are a few examples of those games that the San Jose Sharks have circled on their calendars.

WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 5: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets get themselves untangled from the net following a collision during third period action at the Bell MTS Place on February 5, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Sharks defeated the Jets 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /

March 12th @ Winnipeg Jets

This match-up falls on the second night of back to back games. The night prior they face-off against another potential playoff team the Minnesota Wild, but this game against the Jets carries a little more weight for the San Jose Sharks.

Back to back away games are an excellent way to test a teams depth, which is an important factor in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The San Jose Sharks lead the Jets in the conference standings, so a win in Manitoba could potentially be what solidifies the number one seed for Team Teal.

On the surface it would seem that the Jets are playing well but the underlying numbers suggest that they might be over-performing. According to Evolving-Hockey the Winnipeg Jets have negative rates in xGF/60 differential, SF/60 differential, CF/60 differential , and FF/60 differential. Numbers like these exhibit that the Jets are over performing and coasting by with a strong PDO and raw talent. It’s tough to tell if this style of play will translate into the playoffs.

The Winnipeg Jets made the most moves during the trade deadline but it doesn’t seem like the adjustments have made much of an impact yet. But with a few more games under their belt and the eventual return of star blue liner Dustin Byfuglien this team could turn a corner sooner than later.

The Jets really don’t have much to prove in the regular season and with injuries to integral parts of their roster the underwhelming performance can explained away. However expect them to be fully engaged against Team Teal at Bell MTS Place on March 12th.

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 10: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks hits Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena on January 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

March 18th Versus the Vegas Golden Knights

The first of two more contests versus the most recent addition to the Pacific division. This game has more significance than the second because if the San Jose Sharks can win this it could theoretically put Vegas out of reach.

The Vegas Golden Knights are on fire winning four straight games since adding winger Mark Stone at the trade deadline. This team has extremely streaky this season and have really only played as well as their goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has. But with the addition of Stone this team is much more threatening with a top six that rivals any in the league.

According to Evolving-Hockey Mark Stone is second in the entire league in GAR (Goals Above Replacement) and WAR (Wins Above Replacement) trailing only Sidney Crosby. So adding a high caliber skater like Stone to an already potent roster spells for bad news for the other teams in the Pacific Division.

A player like Mark Stone can slot in on the right side of either Paul Stastny, Jonathan Marchessualt or William Karlsson. Ever since Stone joined the Golden Knights they have been clicking on all cylinders posting the leagues 2nd best CF%, FF%, SF%, SCF%, GF%, and is first in HDCF% at all strengths, per naturalstattrick. Their controlling possession, out shooting opponents, and converting on a high percentage of their scoring chances. This team is deadly and would be a hellacious first round match up in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

These two teams have quickly become fast friends during their 12th match-up against their newest rival. The two of these teams do not like one another and this game should definitely have playoff like intensity.

CALGARY, AB – DECEMBER 31: Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames and Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks fight during an NHL game on December 31, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Brett Holmes/NHLI via Getty Images) /

March 31st Versus the Calgary Flames

It’s a no brainer that this would be a critical game for the San Jose Sharks. The Calgary Flames have been outpacing the western conference for most of the regular season. But Team Teal is now within striking distance with only a chunk of games remaining.

This match-up is the second of yet another back to back for the San Jose Sharks. The night before they face another divisional foe and potential first round opponent the Vegas Golden Knights. That makes this game quite an undertaking for Team Teal but it’s a great opportunity for them to accumulate points and gain ground quickly in the standings.

The Calgary Flames have the easiest schedule but will have a difficult time overcoming some lackluster goaltending of late. Since the beginning of February Calgary is recording the leagues sixth worst save percentage, according to naturalstattrick. It appears that they are burning out at just the right time giving the San Jose Sharks an opportunity to leapfrog the current Pacific Division leader.

Unlike the Sharks, Calgary didn’t do much of anything at the trade deadline except for adding a depth piece in forward Oscar Fantenberg. They signaled that they have confidence in their current group, but standing pat could potentially be a huge mistake with the other teams in the western conference loading up for a significant playoff push.

Nevertheless Calgary has a strong defensive core, deep forward group, and game breaking talent. So San Jose Sharks fans shouldn’t underestimate the Flames potential to keep Team Teal at bay for the rest of the season.

Must Read. Rumor: Erik Karlsson and San Jose Sharks Postpone Contract Talks. light

If there were only three games to pay attention to down the stretch for the San Jose Sharks it would be these. Match-up’s like these are legitimate tests for Team Teal’s depth with these teams being potential opponents in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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