After absorbing their worst defeat of the yr, the San Jose Sharks can be searching for a response Saturday in opposition to the Florida Panthers.
The Sharks reverted to some dangerous habits throughout their 8-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, as they strayed from their id and had been typically outworked from begin to end. The seven-goal loss was the Sharks’ most lopsided of the season, unceremoniously ending a three-game successful streak.
Whereas the Sharks have been enjoying higher hockey currently, the loss in Tampa provided a blunt reminder that they will nonetheless get embarrassed when their particulars and aggressive stage should not the place they must be, significantly in opposition to playoff-caliber groups.
“Break out pucks, defend hard, box out, you name it,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky advised reporters when requested in regards to the protection’s shortcomings. “What a defenseman’s responsibilities are, we could have done a lot better.”
The ahead group wasn’t let off the hook, both.
“Didn’t pay a price,” Warsofsky stated. “You watch (the Lightning), they’re blocking shots. (Mikey) Eyssimont), (Luke) Glendining (when it’s) 8-1. And that’s the price to pay to win games in this league and that’s what we’ve got to learn.”
The Sharks have finished a reasonably good job this season of responding after blowout defeats.
After an 8-3 highway loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 18, they returned dwelling and performed a way more aggressive recreation two days later in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche in a 4-1 loss. Two days after getting blown out 7-3 by the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 26, the Sharks erased a three-goal deficit within the closing 5 minutes of the third interval in opposition to the Utah Hockey Membership and received 5-4 in additional time.
Now the Sharks face the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who, earlier than Friday, had been the third-highest scoring staff within the NHL at 3.78 objectives per recreation. Florida entered Friday tied for first place within the Atlantic Division with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I’m not deflated. It’s an 82-game season,” Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro stated after Thursday’s loss. “We’ve got another game in a couple of days and another opportunity to play a really good hockey team and surprise them. So it’s not deflating, but it’s definitely not something that’s acceptable, so we’ve got to be better.”
The Sharks have misplaced 10 straight video games to the Panthers, with their final victory in South Florida approaching Dec.1, 2017.
The Sharks might need to face the Panthers with out rookie ahead Will Smith, who didn’t follow Friday. Warsofsky advised San Jose Hockey Now that Smith is day-to-day with an upper-body damage, though it remained unclear when the 19-year-old was injured. Towards the Lightning, Smith performed late into the third interval and completed with 15:50 in ice time.
Smith has 11 factors in 23 video games this season and has just lately been enjoying on a line with Mikael Granlund and Klim Kostin.
No matter who performs in opposition to the Panthers, the Sharks nonetheless must show that they will persistently produce a robust efficiency in opposition to high quality opponents.
“We’ll obviously take a look at everything and talk within the group and figure it out,” Sharks winger Luke Kunin stated, “so it doesn’t happen again.”
GOODROW RETURNS: Ahead Barclay Goodrow, who has been on injured reserve since Nov. 28 with an upper-body ailment, skated Friday, per San Jose Hockey Now. Goodrow was injured by a excessive hit from Ridly Greig within the Sharks’ Nov. 27 recreation in opposition to the Ottawa Senators. He’s questionable to play in opposition to the Panthers.
TEDDY BEAR TOSS: The San Jose Barracuda are internet hosting its annual Teddy Bear Toss at Tech CU Enviornment on Saturday when it performs the Coachella Valley Firebirds at 6 p.m. Followers are urged to convey stuffed animals to the sport and throw them on the ice after the Barracuda scores its first aim.
The Barracuda will then distribute a few of the stuffed animals to youngsters at native Kaiser Permanente hospitals, in addition to different children who may not get a present throughout this time of yr.
The AHL franchise can be becoming a member of forces with San Jose-based Working Partnerships USA, which, per the staff, helps to sort out “the root causes of inequality and poverty by leading collaborative campaigns for quality jobs, healthy communities, equitable growth, and a vibrant democracy.”
For Saturday’s recreation, the Barracuda can even put on specialty jerseys that can be auctioned off after the sport, with a part of the proceeds going to Working Partnerships. The staff can be making a gift of Barracuda stockings to the primary 1,500 followers within the constructing.
Initially Printed: December 6, 2024 at 2:18 PM PST
