The San Jose Sharks remain dead last in the NHL with a 15-36-8 record. Losses continue to pile up, but what’s most frustrating is how many games have been close.
By NHL stats, a game is considered “close” if within one goal in the first and second periods. “Close” is also measured by if it’s tied in the third period or overtime. Of their 36 regulation defeats, 26 were close ones. While Team Teal isn’t getting blown out every night—they’re falling apart late in games.
With a full 60 minutes of compete, their season could look very different. Instead, the Sharks’ inability to close out games has turned winnable games into another L in their season.
The Sharks are in the middle of a road trip and have the opportunity to secure (at least) one win before heading home. That starts with playing a full 60 minutes.
San Jose has had a few patterns emerge from their close losses. More often than not, the team is competitive early on but collapses when it matters the most.
Multiple times this season, San Jose has entered the third period tied or leading. For instance, in their first game of the season the Sharks had four goals in the first two periods. They eventually fell short to the St. Louis Blues, allowing a three-goal surge and falling short 5-4.
Against Utah Hockey Club, the Sharks led in the third before drawing a penalty. It cost them, leading to Utah’s game-winning power-play goal (4-3 loss).
Again, drawing a costly penalty led to the Sharks falling 4-3 against the Winnipeg Jets. Team Teal entered the third ahead but the Jets’ power-play goal helped them tie the game. The Sharks then collapse in the third to lose in regulation.
Against Nashville, the Sharks had a high-scoring opening with four goals in an electric first period. Then, they blew a 4-1 lead and gave up five unanswered goals, two of which came on the power play. Final score, 7-5 Nashville Predators.
Even when the team has managed to battle back, they still can’t close. Against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sharks managed to tie the game in the third. They still couldn’t finish the job though, falling 4-3 in a shootout loss.
In a similar story, the Sharks had the lead with less than 15 seconds in regulation against the Edmonton Oilers. Only to allow Edmonton to tie the game before eventually falling in the shootout.
In February against the Montreal Canadiens, they had a third-period power play opportunity. Instead of capitalizing off the man-advantage, they allowed the Habs to score a shorthanded game-winner. Final score, 4-3 Canadiens.
San Jose’s penalty kill and power play have let them down in critical situations.
In the games against Nashville and Winnipeg, the Sharks took third-period penalties that led to power-play, game-sealing goals. The Canadiens loss on home ice is another prime example of awareness issues. San Jose allowed a shorthanded game-winner while on the man advantage, which is a frustrating way to collapse.
Against Nashville and Winnipeg, the Sharks took costly third-period penalties that led to power-play goals, sealing their fate.
Late-game breakdowns have also degenerated since trading top defenseman Cody Ceci. The Sharks are on a six-game losing streak since trading the blue line workhorse, with four of those losses “close.” Inconsistent defensive structure in the final minutes is leading to high-danger chances against.
If San Jose wants to avoid a winless road trip, they need to address their late-game issues. The Sharks must protect leads, maintain pressure, and compete at 100 percent to avoid more late-game collapses.
On the scoresheet, there’s room for some players to find secondary scoring chances.
Offensively, Barclay Goodrow has had few shots on goal in the most recent four close losses. With minimal impact in high-danger areas, there’s room to contribute more offensively.
Luke Kunin, Alex Wennberg, Nico Sturm, and Fabian Zetterlund are all in the same boat. Wennberg has struggled in the faceoff circle in some games and could aim to be more of a playmaker. Zetterlund has multiple games with low shot production despite his offensive upside.
On the defensive end, Mario Ferraro has stepped into a number two d-man role since Ceci’s departure. Ferraro is a great leader but could help generate more shots from the point for offensive push.
Timothy Liljegren has shown flashes but not consistently. While he is day-to-day with an upper body injury, Liljegren is expected to play Thursday against Montreal. He has nine points in 45 games played and minus-16. The d-man could aim to be more involved in transition play.
The Sharks have been more competitive than last season, but being close doesn’t matter without results.
Up next, the team takes on Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Buffalo, and Colorado on the road.
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Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com
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