Postgame Notes #40: Kořenář Debuts, Kings Trounce Sharks 4-2

Period 1

2 minutes in, Walker pinches when he shouldn’t, Kane gets out on rush. McLellan railed against that after last night, LA’s carelessness feeding San Jose rush.

Next shift, Karlsson follows with some carelessness himself, a step away from an exit, he gets pickpocketed by Kempe, Kings enjoy 2-on-1 that Jones snuffs out.

6 in: Good feint by Knyzhov in corner before D-to-D to Karlsson. Little fakes like that buy you that extra split-second with puck.

8 in: Sorensen, despite being harassed in NZ, holds it and gets it in. Burns talked this morning about the quiet NZ plays that Sorensen makes on the breakout, that’s not an exact example, but it’s a good play. The 2018-19 goalscoring may have been a mirage, but let’s give a healthy Sorensen his due. If he’s right, I think he can help a team.

Double-drop entry on first PP: Burns to Marleau to Kane. Then Karlsson to Meier to Balcers.

Carter goal: Doughty is smart to move puck to weakside as Labanc changes. Easy entry. Then LA-style offense. Shot quantity, get it to the net, figure it out. Here, Carter gets behind Jones when Simek takes another route to front. Not sure why Simek did that, he went in front of Jones, Carter went behind, that’s where the puck was.

Balcers offside by a mile on this 2nd San Jose Sharks PP. Not creating momentum. But then, on beautiful Karlsson entry and pass, EK65 finds Meier coming down slot…but post. Tough year for Timo continues.

Gambrell goal: Gambrell creates it on forecheck, not letting Maatta exit. Then Sorensen does fantastic work eliminating Walker, keeping puck alive for Jaros.

Love this goal by Gambrell: Pure grease. Forechecking Gambrell (7) doesn't let Maatta (6) get control, then Sorensen (20) just hungrier on puck than Walker (26). Jaros fires it & Gambrell pounces on the loose puck pic.twitter.com/U2LVxK83DE

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 11, 2021

Funny period: Actually, a very LA Kings-like period from San Jose Sharks. They dominate 19-10 Corsi at 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick. But 8-8 Scoring Chances, 3-3 High-Danger.

Period 2

Gambrell goes one way, Carter goes the other with high-low pass to Athanasiou. Gambrell faked out by Athanasiou, it looks like.

Iafallo goal: LA does a really good job on entry of changing point of attack. Puck was at one point, Karlsson closes, that’s fine. Puck is whipped to Kopitar at other point, Karlsson is stuck on top on his side, doesn’t get back to his position hard enough. Iafallo bursts off bench, behind Karlsson and Marleau. I guess Marleau assumed Karlsson would be there? Can also argue Marleau should’ve covered there, noticed wide-open center lane earlier.

8 in: Brilliant keep by Kane on PP. But overall, another flat San Jose Sharks PP.

Another Sharks PP: Kings love that Mikey Anderson block. Better San Jose PP, but not good enough. Going to be a lot of questions about the PP after this game – get the jump on them here!

Game Preview/Lines #39: Sharks’ Power Play Still Struggling

7 left: Good hustle by Burns to corner on that PK, gets it out.

I think Athanasiou goes down super-easy there on Kane interference.

5 left: Nifty PK work, first by Sorensen, who carries puck up, attracts a couple Kings, then throws it back to open Couture. No offense, but Couture just pitches it back to Karlsson. Karlsson holds and holds, Sharks change, Karlsson feints like he’s dumping it, but instead, he stretches it out to Hertl, who gets a chance. Clever, clever hockey all around.

The all no-PK line out there after a couple kills by Sharks, Leonard-Donato-Labanc. Karlsson out there too. And predictably…Labanc at point, covering for Karlsson, reaches for puck that he shouldn’t, LA gets 2-on-0, but Jones! First time I’ve seen this Leonard-Donato-Labanc line and probably the last time lol.

Back-breaking goal given up by Jones after some good penalty killing. Time for Korenar?

Flat, simply not a playoff-caliber second period from the Sharks: Bad goaltending, loose team defense, offense doesn’t take advantage of multiple PPs. A portrait of the worst of this season, which has happened too much, and looks like it will probably end with San Jose on the outside looking in of playoff picture.

Period 3

Korenar comes out to start 3rd, he makes his NHL debut.

Korenar is 2nd #SJSharks goalie to make his NHL debut this year, after Melnichuk. Last time SJS had 2 goalies make their NHL debut in a season was 2007-08 (Patzold, Greiss). Also happened in 1991-92 (Irbe, Flaherty)

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 11, 2021

Meier goal: Is that PP movement that Bob wants? Quick, crisp puck movement, attack the net? Not too much looking for that open option. Or was that more of a let’s get back-to-basics affair?

Doesn’t matter in big picture, but #SJSharks have done a nice job of protecting Korenar so far. 5 mins left, he’s seen just 4 shots.

Fun desperation PK from #SJSharks: Burns-Karlsson as your defensemen, running a two-man forecheck on a 4-on-5

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 11, 2021