San Jose Sharks Show Scoring Surge Despite Injuries

After a week of one-goal frustrations, the San Jose Sharks have found their scoring surge despite injuries to several forwards. Team Teal strung together three wins: first against Toronto, then with a legendary comeback against Pittsburgh, and last against Calgary.

The turnaround saw an offensive surge, defense stepping up, and depth players joining the rotation. Against the Flames, the Sharks were finally able to set the tone early on.

Defensive Backbone

Team Teal’s blueline has shifted in these last three wins from being overwhelmed to gaining opportunities. Mario Ferraro continues to clock in heavy minutes (around 22-23 TOI), block shots, and anchor the Sharks’ PK.

John Klingberg and Dmitry Orlov have also added timely goals, while Shakir Mukhamadullin and Vincent Iorio provide steady depth minutes. Klingberg is on an impressive streak, with goals in three consecutive games and points in five straight. Against Calgary, Klingberg finished +3 and logged 21:43 time on ice.

Toronto native Sam Dickinson dressed for games in Toronto and Pittsburgh, but sat for the 6-3 win against Calgary. San Jose could be tightening up their defensive pairings to lean on vets and puck-movers.

Offensive Spark Earning Wins

Veteran Tyler Toffoli has helped lead the Sharks’ surge with his four-point night in Pittsburgh (two goals, two assists). Toffoli scored an additional goal against Calgary, contributing six shots on net, one blocked shot, and one hit.

Alexander Wennberg has been consistently working the second line, stacking up six assists through a three-game streak.

Macklin Celebrini broke through the previous one-goal trend with a three-point performance during an incredible comeback against the Penguins.

Will Smith took a heavy hit from Pittsburgh defenseman Tyla Wotherspoon, and did not return to the game. The hit fueled part of Team Teal’s comeback effort, with Celebrini demonstrating why he’s central to Team Teal’s future.

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While the Sharks have yet to consistently make early-game pushes, their matchup against Calgary offered a glimpse of their potential.

One of the unexpected parts of that push was Barclay Goodrow’s two-goal game. A veteran presence from an earlier era of Sharks’ hockey, Goodrow’s push was a reminder of how momentum can swing. Depth contributions also came from forwards William Eklund and Collin Graf.

Injury and Lineup Updates

During the matchup against Pittsburgh, both Smith and Philipp Kurashev suffered injuries. San Jose placed Smith on IR on Monday, and he is expected to be out at least a week. Meanwhile, Kurashev is considered week-to-week with an upper body injury, also on IR.

Against Calgary, Ty Dellandrea was injured and missed Wednesday’s practice, but he is expected to play against Dallas on Thursday.

Dickinson was scratched for both the Calgary and Dallas matchups as the Sharks appear to be rounding out their core defensive pairings. Behind Ferraro, Klingberg, and Orlov, Mukhamadullin, Iorio, Nick Leddy, and Timothy Liljegren have been in the depth rotation.

For now, this current balance of youth and experience seems to be working for an exciting Sharks’ team. San Jose plays Dallas and Seattle at home before three games over the holidays on the road.

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Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com  

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