Gustav Nyquist’s Play Perfectly Complements the San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks key trade deadline acquisition, Gustav Nyquist has lived up to expectations, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Gustav Nyquist had the choice to stay in Detroit with his family and pregnant wife, Danielle, who were awaiting their first child during the midst of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the San Jose Sharks.

Nyquist made the tough call – a sacrifice to leave his hometown and pursue a championship on the West Coast.

The San Jose Sharks have been nothing but gracious and welcoming with open arms to the team’s newest addition.

In return, Nyquist has developed and stepped up into a pivotal role during the postseason, which is largely due to his astounding success closing out the regular season.

The 29-year-old right-winger rounded out head coach Peter DeBoer’s top-six with six goals and 11 points in the final 19 games of the regular season with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane.

After gaining more trust within San Jose’s organization, Nyquist helped fill the void when Sharks captain Joe Pavelski suffered the severe head injury and concussion in Game 7 of the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Someone needed to rise to the occasion, and Nyquist was the perfect candidate to elevate his game play.

In the first contest with Pavelski out of the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche, the speedy, skilled skater scored his first goal of the playoffs, knotting up the score at 1-1 in the first period. That provided a much-needed boost to the Sharks commanding 5-2 series-opening victory.

Ever since then, Nyquist has made an impact with Logan Couture and Timo Meier, accumulating ten points in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This postseason alone marks a turning point in Nyquist’s hockey career. With the Red Wings, Gustav Nyquist posted just four goals and four assists in 35 playoff games across five years.

Dawning a teal sweater, No. 14 has recorded double-digit points during the intense rounds against the Golden Knights, Avalanche and Blues.

Nyquist sets up Meier and Couture with clean offensive zone entries and precise passing, including this smooth 2-on-1 rush to break open the scoring of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals

After not missing the birth of his daughter Charlotte and not missing any Sharks playoff games, the proud father has turned heads and is turning into a fan favorite.

A year ago, the Sharks sought to add depth, and found the upbeat, gritty forward in Evander Kane at the trade deadline.

This year the Team Teal targeted  Nyquist’s speed, strength and hockey IQ. The addition of Nyquist gave this Sharks team the best core its had in the last decade. It’s a great feeling to see Team Teal solidify into a true Stanley Cup contender after years if coming up short.