A San Jose Sharks Blog

Quick Start
In last year's playoff series, San Jose jumped out to a quick two game lead over Detroit. Similarly, the Sharks got off to a good start in the first period of Thursday's game when Mike Grier scored his first goal of the season. On the play, Marc-Edouard Vlasic slapped the puck deep towards the end boards behind Detroit goalie Chris Osgood. The shot then bounced out front to Grier who was able to slap it into the empty net. Unfortunately, the lead did not last.

Bad Defense Changes Momentum
Detroit seems to have the annoying ability to take advantage of even the smallest defensive lapses. In the playoffs, the Red Wings were able to score a last second goal due to bad defensive coverage by the Sharks. Detroit eventually went on to win the game. On Thursday night, bad defense again hurt the Sharks. With the game tied at 2-2, Detroit Rookie Matt Ellis, threw a low percentage backhander towards the net that eluded Evgeni Nabokov, giving the Red Wings the 3-2 lead. On the goal, Marcel Goc made a soft defensive play and allowed Ellis to put the shot on net all the way from the side boards. Granted, Nabokov was clearly at fault as well, but a simple stick check from Goc would have killed the situation.

Sharks Not Resilient
During the offseason, many Sharks players said that the playoff loss to Detroit was a learning experience that helped teach them how to stay focused (when the going gets tough). Well, it doesn't look like they have mastered that ability just yet. In last year's playoffs, after losing Game Three, Team Teal appeared to be lost...unable to put a good game together. As a result, the Red Wings took the series from the Sharks and booted them from the postseason. In similar fashion, the Sharks were not able to put together a good shift after the Ellis goal. When they needed to play their best, San Jose appeared to play their worst. Bad passes, bad penalties, and overall bad hockey.

San Jose is now seven games into the season with a record of 3-3-1. Nearly a tenth of the way through; consequently, I have now given myself the green light to be critical of the Sharks. Team Teal simply does not look good out there. The entire third period was so very frustrating to watch; no real chances were ever generated and it looked like Detroit was having an easy time of it. Bottomline, the Red Wings beat us...relatively easily.

I am thoroughly confused; we have the personnel, but just can't seem to get it done. Is San Jose not playing up to their potential, or do I have unrealistic expectations? Instead of hoping that the Sharks play well, maybe I should just lower my expectations. In fact, until the Sharks show me otherwise, I'm going to stop thinking that we're as good as Detroit and Anaheim...because right now...we're not.