Stars lead series 2 - 0
What's the definition of "ownage"? Well, if you flip to the glossary of the San Jose Sharks Playbook, you will see a picture of the Dallas Stars...that's what ownage is. However, maybe I'm simplifying it too much. Ownage is winning the 50/50 battle on the boards, it's getting sticks into passing lanes, it's blocking shots, it's getting to loose pucks first, it's making the most of your opportunities, it's making the key save, it's looking like a well-oiled machine while on the road...that's what ownage is and right now...that's what Dallas is doing.
The first two games of the second round have been frustrating to watch. Team Teal has come out with guns blasting, but unable to really take advantage of their opportunities. Granted, they have scored a couple of early goals in games, but it hasn't been enough. It is almost as if the Stars are running the old "Rope-a-Dope". It seems as if they let the Sharks come out strong and wear themselves out for the first 15 minutes or so and then decide to start pushing back. And why not, it's not like the Sharks are doing much with those first 15 minutes. At best, it has been a one goal advantage which quickly disappears when the Stars go on the powerplay. Somehow, Dallas is able to bend, but not break...and anytime there's a good scoring chance, Turco is there to make the stop. Or worse, there aren't any Sharks there to put in the garbage.
The funny thing is that both Game One and Game Two were almost identical. Sharks come out strong, get the lead, Dallas slowly pulls it away from San Jose, and then they just grind the clock away.
So who's to blame? Are the players not working hard enough? Are the coaches ill-prepared and unable to find a counter punch? Or, are the Stars just better than us?
The tough thing is that the Sharks were looking decent enough to win in Game Two until a Joe Pavelski give-away started the downward spiral. He's clearly the goat of the game, but it's difficult to get on him because Number 8 has been one of the few players performing well in the post-season.
Randy and Drew kept mentioning it over and over...your best players need to be your best players. It's nice to see Milan skating well and getting out of his funk, but it's meaningless if the rest of the team starts to fade at the same time. Thornton, Marleau, and Nabokov have all performed below average. Compare these three players to Morrow, Modano, and Turco...clearly the difference in this series so far.
Well, I'm not sure what to think of it all. I am definitely frustrated and starting to feel like this is the end. I don't want to be negative...I want to stay hopefull, but it just feels like we have to work so very hard for our goals, but the Stars can counter-punch with a goal of their own whenever they want...just like flipping a switch or something.
Bottomline, the Sharks need to win the next game if they want to have a chance to move on. If they go to 0-3 in the series, it will basically be over. Dallas is too good of a team to lose a lead...I wish we were like that.
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