Postgame Notes #51: Kořenář Makes 40 Saves, Sharks Lose 4-3

Period 1

1 in: NZ turnover by Barabanov, looking up the middle. Maybe needs to vary it up a little, teams treating him as a pass-first guy?

6 in: Deft neutral zone pass by Barabanov springs Hertl. Good vision, Barabanov on strong side lane, recognizes Hertl has less traffic on weakside. Great reception by Hertl too, to pass it to himself – Barabanov’s pass was a little behind him – put the puck in front of himself.

10 left: Ferraro pickpocketed by Rantanen. Looks like Korenar saves his bacon.

9 left: That’s a goal right there if True can corral that rebound. Basically a 2-on-1 down low. Watching True, I still wonder about his feet. Not on that play, but in general.

5 left: Tough play, but Gregor’s got to find a way to get that out. Instead, he backhands a clear attempt to Avs point.

Period 2

1 in: Another Balcers shot block. He’s done a nice job in that department for San Jose Sharks.

Soderberg post: Jaros does a good job of focusing on his man, Donskoi, lifting the stick and preventing easy rebound putback.

Good patience by Barabanov on PP, doesn’t rush his shot with Dubnyk moving. But it’s Karlsson who does the important work there, stops rim along the wall, then in playmaking position along wall, sees Hertl free in front, that causes collapse of Colorado penalty killers, leaves Barabanov open.

Karlsson does good work here, lures in a PK'er, looks off Hertl but then passes it to the net front guy, that causes Avs PK to collapse, gets Dubnyk moving, and now Barabanov is open https://t.co/j3tFgs6DqZ

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 2, 2021

10 left: Meier too aggressive on forecheck, gets called for hooked, but you wonder if that’s one that coaches can live with? It’s a good effort, but maybe just can’t get that stick parallel.

Korenar bails out Karlsson there. Karlsson jumps up, no problem, but then Toews beats him back up the ice with ease. If you’re going to do the crime, better be ready to do the time. Then MacKinnon gets behind Ferraro, easy goal. Awful 4-on-4 coverage by the Sharks defensemen there.

Burakovsky goal: Jost subtle picks Balcers, the winger can’t get out on Burakovsky. Looks like a set play. Could Balcers have fought harder there?

2 left: Softer minutes, but I think I’ve liked Jaros’s game tonight. He’s mobile and strong and using those assets to some effect tonight. Have to re-watch this shift to make sure, but there’s clear talent here.

Big saves by Korenar to close period, but it also looks like he left big rebounds there, especially on the point shot. That said, he’s been very good on the balance.

Per @NatStatTrick, 2nd period: COL 21-4 Shots, 12-1 5v5 Scoring Chances, 11-1 5v5 High-Danger

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 2, 2021

Per @SPORTLOGiQ: So far, #GoAvsGo's OZ Possession Time (All Situations) is 6:40 — that's THREE times more than #SJSharks 1:55

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 2, 2021

Basically, the Avs have had the puck three times more than the San Jose Sharks.

Period 3

First shift: Balcers needs to have more awareness of Landeskog walking down slot. He’s had a tough game. Korenar bails him out.

4 in: That kind of game for San Jose Sharks. Off draw, Knyzhov needs to make that simple pass to Karlsson. Compher interception leaves Karlsson behind net (not his fault there). Looks like Korenar get a piece of that Donskoi shot, wow.

What a pad save by Korenar pic.twitter.com/8TEvSvnoxV

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 2, 2021

9 left: Beauty PP fake shot-pass by Barabanov. Could’ve been a golden chance for Burns there.

5 left: Good work by Barabanov to give it to Karlsson in good place, but would’ve been nice to see him do something with return pass. Makar walls him off.

Rantanen goal: Gregor slow to rotate? Couture could’ve switched and got on Toews too. Usually, the winger, Gregor, gets the defenseman at top though. Instead, Gregor was locked on MacKinnon, who was sowing confusion up top.

Hertl goal: We’ve seen that Barabanov to Burns connection a lot these few games, wrote about it this afternoon.

1 left: Smart Barabanov play? Runs interference as loose puck skittering toward OZ blueline, multiple Avs in pursuit?