Martin Jones Poised to Take Next Step for the San Jose Sharks
After an electric postseason for the San Jose Sharks, Martin Jones is ready to elevate himself to elite goaltender status in the National Hockey League.
Since Martin Jones first suited up for the San Jose Sharks in 2015-2016, he has had a real up and down tenure. Jones managed to string together three seasons where he posted above .910 SV%, as well as one Stanley Cup appearance in 2016.
Unfortunately Jones reached new lows, posting an abysmal .898 SV% last regular season. Nevertheless, team teal’s goaltender came in clutch when they needed him most. the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The goalie got off to a slow start in the postseason, performing even worse through the first five games round-1. In that stretch, Jones posted a .799 SV% and 3 GA, causing him to get pulled in two match-ups while raising a few eyebrows in the process.
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However at the last possible moment, with team teal looking for life Martin Jones stepped up. In game six on the road against Vegas, the goaltender put up a Sharks single game franchise record 58 SV.
Jones did not stop there, carrying his momentum from game six throughout the remainder of the playoffs. Through game seven against Vegas, as well as all seven games against Colorado, Jones put up a .914 SV% and 2.5 GA.
Simply put, Martin Jones was dominant through a crucial stretch of the Sharks playoff run. Unfortunately Jones did drop off in the Western Conference Final against the Blues, who would blow by team teal in route to their franchise first Stanley Cup.
The play was not all Jones fault, Erik Karlsson had a serious drop off in health, Tomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski also sustained injuries through the series. The team got fatigued overall, and it showed on Jones stat line, as he posted mediocre at best numbers throughout the Western Conference Final.
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But what is important to take away from Martin Jones’s postseason is that he has now demonstrated potential for greatness. While he probably isn’t the next Henrik Lundqvist, he has shown potential to become the rock in net for a team looking to win it all.