Blades of Teal
Fansided

3 Pivotal Games Down the Stretch for the San Jose Sharks

By Lucas Burrell

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 03: San Jose Sharks Center Tomas Hertl (48) gets congratulations from the bench after scoring in the 1st period of the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 03: San Jose Sharks Center Tomas Hertl (48) gets congratulations from the bench after scoring in the 1st period of the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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