Pros and Cons From a Nerve-Racking Game 6 Win for the San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks held out to win in double overtime 2 – 1 with some assistance from Tomas Hertl, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Martin Jones.

Team Teal won Game 6 in miraculous fashion with a double overtime short handed wrister by Tomas Hertl. That goal sends this series back to the SAP Center for a Game 7 that many doubted was possible for the San Jose Sharks.

It was a sloppy state of affairs on the ice, with a very minuet amount of open ice available between the two clubs. Sorting through the wreckage of Game 6 there were a few things that stuck out in this double-OT thriller.

Pros

Game of Jones ~ Martin Jones absolutely stole this game for the San Jose Sharks. After a lackluster start to the series the 29-year-old netminder has been locked in for the past 2 contests. However in Game 6 at the T-Mobile Arena he brought his game to new heights.

The Vancouver BC native stood tall for a shrinking San Jose Sharks squad who failed to generate consistent pressure throughout the contest. He complied 58 saves on 59 shots on goal. Jones outlasted the Golden Knights onslaught of shots, with wave after wave of attackers having their way in Team Teals offensive zone.

The San Jose Sharks kept things relatively clean in front of Jones and they were able to limit Vegas’ scoring chances off rush attempts. At the same time they failed to exit the puck cleanly from their end and suffered for it with Vegas controlling most of the offensive zone time.

One of the best follows during the Stanley Cup Playoffs is @ThePointHockey. They’ve provided extremely illustrative analytics for ever contest and Game 6 in Vegas was no different. Check out how the two teams fared against each other in these key metrics.

The Knights spent a ton of time in the offensive zone but Martin Jones was able to sift through the garbage and keep Team Teal afloat until they broke the game open.

Two Number One Centers? ~ Tomas Hertl tied the series at 3 – 3 with his double-OT short-handed goal. He was held in check for most of the game, but caught the Golden Knights off guard when they were on the powerplay. Vlasic broke up the play in the Sharks zone, and was able to connect with a streaking Hertl who speed his way past two Knights defenders. The NHL GIF account provides an excellent angle of the play.

While Hertl was held in check during regulation and the first OT frame, Logan Couture otherwise remained effective the entire contest. He scored the late first period goal that took the wind out of the crowd heading into intermission. Cooch also put 5 shots on goal, threw 3 hits, and caused 3 turnovers.

His most important role tonight was matching up with the best offensive configurations of the Vegas Golden Knights. He and his linemates saw a steady dose of the Stone line and shut them down again for the second straight game.

Cons

Big Minutes for the Big Man ~ Brent Burns has done it all for the San Jose Sharks but they shouldn’t overuse their Norris Nominated blueliner. Nevertheless he came up huge and exhibited why he is considered Team Teal’s Iron Man. He played 5:45 seconds more than any other skater on the Sharks roster.

Brent Burns ended the night with a staggering 42:31 TOI after about 90 minutes of hockey played. Those weren’t easy minutes either he lead all Sharks in minutes on the penalty kill with 3:22 TOI.  His play was crucial down the stretch and he stepped up big in his newly found defensive role along Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

The fact that the next contest is a “Game 7” one shouldn’t expect fatigue to have much of an impact on both of these teams who will certainly be riding off adrenaline into this do or die match-up.

Marc-Andre Fleury Stays Strong ~ The Golden Knights netminder got out-dueled by Martin Jones on Easter Sunday, but not by much. He ended the night with 27 saves while facing 29 shots on goal. He didn’t see much action at his end of the ice but successfully fended off any attack the Sharks could generate.

Game 6 could have went another few overtime frames if it wasn’t for Shea Theodore getting involved on Hertl’s OT winner past Fleury. Both goalkeepers were locked in with the Knights continuing to dictate much of the play in extra time. The Golden Knights were rolling and on the powerplay so anticipate the 34-year-old to be dialed in for Game  7.

The San Jose Sharks have surged back and tied this series at 3 – 3. Now it’s do or die for both clubs, and with home ice advantage Team Teal can  advance in front of their fans. Game 7 is on Tuesday at the Tank, expect a back and forth slug fest between these desperate clubs.