Postgame Notes #47: Blichfeld Scores 1st NHL Goal, Sharks Lose 8th Straight 6-3

Period 1

GOTTA SEE IT: Jumbo, Sid, Howe Pay Tribute to Emotional Marleau

Awful goal given up by Jones to start. That’s Gary Suter’s nephew Ryan getting the softie.

Foligno goal: Donato needs to play smarter here. This is an example of why he’s stapled to the fourth line. He’s taking the wrong route to hunt down a Wild puck, running into Marleau. Essentially, picking his teammate. Now two San Jose Sharks forwards and two San Jose defensemen are behind on the play. In this position, with Wild with clear control of the puck coming out, this isn’t a two-man forecheck situation. Marleau hangs back, as he should – Donato should have too, third man high above Marleau – instead of chasing the puck like a blind squirrel.

Spurgeon goal: Between Gregor and Burns, someone has to help Couture, who can’t keep up with Spurgeon. Embarrassing. Probably a goal you want back too if you’re Jones.

Three saves on six shots. Be surprised if it's not Korenar starting the second period

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 25, 2021

There’s been a lot of we need to look at ourselves in the mirror moments for the San Jose Sharks this year. I guess they haven’t liked what they’ve seen this season, judging by the overall results, but here’s another gut-check moment. What have they got inside themselves?

It was actually a tight period and the San Jose Sharks didn’t give up that much, just everything went in: Per SPORTLOGiQ, All Situations, Wild 3-1 Slot Shots, 2-2 Rush Chances.

Period 2

Also looks like Vlasic-Karlsson and Knyzhov-Pateryn

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 25, 2021

9 left: San Jose Sharks starting to show some life, have last six shots to take a 12-11 edge there. No goals, but a couple quality Kane chances.

Kane finding a little speed coming up the left lane in this period – easy entry, he stops up to give it to Hertl. Comeback of any sort will probably go through him.

5 left: With have to re-watch, but does Blichfeld, having trouble corral it on entry, turn around and miss a drop pass. That’s a dangerous-looking play that gets you stapled to the pine.

4 left: It’s not just the kids guilty. Marleau then Burns don’t execute on breakout passes. Nothing happens from it, but more Wild possession.

3 left: Now it’s a Hertl with an breakout pass that’s picked off, but the San Jose Sharks alternate captain keeps grinding, gets it back. Mistakes are okay if you do the work to make up for them and get a few back.

2 left: That’s an attack moment for Timo, not a pull-up at the blueline and try a spin-o-rama 360 pass to contested trailer Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Period 3

Couture goal: Possession started with a good Couture backcheck, taking the puck off Rask’s stick. Ferraro stretch to Balcers gets the puck up ice further. Lucky bounces from there, but the San Jose Sharks needed a bounce. Couture stringing some good plays, haven’t seen a ton of that recently.

3 in: Vlasic does a good job to challenge Greenway high. Persistent, good feet, plus effort there. Would have loved to see more of that from him this year.

Kaprizov goal: That’s a bad breakdown, you can’t allow an open one-timer down the gut to Kaprizov, even one man short.

Kane goal: Pateryn looks spry there up top, going back and forth to get the puck. In limited time, he’s looked decent tonight.

HUGE cheer from bench as Blichfeld roofs it. Nice to have another positive from tonight besides the pre-game festivities

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 25, 2021

🚨 JOACHIM BLICHFELD FIRST NHL GOAL ALERT 🚨pic.twitter.com/HUi9azhCAC

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 25, 2021

6 in: Love that backhand Karlsson breakout pass to Meier. That’s a thing of beauty.

8 in: Well-timed Dumba stick lift on Hertl in front, that’s a Grade-A without the defense.

50 minutes in, we finally have a competitive hockey game. Even early goals, like the Suter one, can be back-breakers.

10 in: Forecheck by Balcers wins back puck. Again off Rask’s stick.

6 left: Not sure where Pateryn is going with that pass. Up the middle, from behind Korenar, to no one. Perhaps his first obvious-looking error tonight.

5 left: Puck skips by Burns, that happens. Question there, as Sturm bears down for breakaway…with so little time left, do you just take chances and let Korenar handle breakaway? Early in the game, I’d say that’s a good Burns penalty. This late, good argument to hope Korenar makes a save, maximize time left.