Postgame Notes #41: Ducks Down Sharks on Deadline Day 4-0

Period 1

Comtois goal: NOT a good shift from the third pairing. First, under little duress, Simek throws it up the middle for Meier, EASY interception. Just telegraphed. Then Jaros shows some pop, skates it out, but in quest to skate and make a play, gets stood up by Ducks defenseman. Counterattack, easy Comtois goal. UGLY.

6 in: Jaros crashing and banging on forecheck, of all things. As noted, he skates well, particularly forward, kind of like Knyzhov. But as we saw on Comtois gimme, very raw.

After a nice Simek indirect pass that leads to good Balcers rush chance, Anaheim returns favor on rush. Looks like Hertl did get a stick on pass that Volkov directs in, but not enough of it. Really not much of a shot/deflection by Vokov either, in my opinion.

First San Jose Sharks PP: Patrick Marleau still on it. While the only other reasonable option is probably John Leonard, I don’t think Marleau has done much to distinguish himself on PP. A couple right place, right time goals, but like to see the more dynamic Leonard get an extended look. Understand Leonard has tapered off a bit after a hot start, but I think he can do more from the PP now than the legend.

Volkov’s second goal: Jones bites too hard on Henrique, gets out of position, then nobody (Simek?) bothers to take Volkov’s stick. Sharks should be embarrassed by this display, to be honest.

An honestly embarrassing display of hockey there from #SJSharks

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2021

The bonds of team unity will be tested by that awful effort. San Jose Sharks had their chances, that wasn’t the problem, but it was the sloppiness of turnovers and coverage and what not. Obvious giveaways, free stuff city, not much support for Jones and he didn’t offer much help either. A lot of “Oh No Baby! What Is You Doin???” energy from the Sharks in that opening frame.

Period 2

That career-high is 7

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2021

Donato makes Manson look really bad there, he’s too aggressive, doesn’t respect Donato’s momentum enough. San Jose Sharks get a critical PP out of it.

Power play is trying to pepper shots, get to rebounds. No dice so far.

3 minutes in, Burns sails a long stretch pass, too hard, Kane can’t get a stick. Rough night for 88.

Jaros still on the bench — looks like he's bought some Pine Lodge real estate, hasn't played a shift through 7 minutes

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2021

8 in: Timo getting put down on his butt a couple times in front of the net – that’s what the coaches want to see from him, I wager. Strong series of Sharks chances, started by a high Balcers loft, Hertl catches it two zones away. High-skill play all around.

Liked this #SJSharks play: Balcers (92) lofts a gorgeous area pass to Hertl (48), Hertl bats it toward an easy place for him to retrieve. High-skill play from both there pic.twitter.com/SzNsSsDXD7

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2021

9 in: Kane just misses Couture for tap-in. Credit Labanc, in NZ, he pulls Ducks forecheck toward him in right lane, then hits Kane coming from behind in left lane with speed with a hard pass. Another skill play for a slowly-awakening Sharks squad.

That kind of night for #SJSharks, Meier passes it back to Burns, Jones has to make a save pic.twitter.com/5gDq577Bis

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2021

8 left: Outstanding effort by Ferraro, caught deep on attack, to track back and not let Anaheim out clean for potential counterattack. Small play, but that’s a leadership play.

2 left: Burns sets up Leonard beautifully all alone. Leonard holds, gets his shot off, but Stolarz! Leonard looks up in frustration.

Period 3

Jones waves at that Rakell shot. It’s Rakell, but it’s from a distance and with nobody in his sightlines. Need a stop there in what felt like a San Jose Sharks early goal away from being competitive – Anaheim is bad. Then, Stolarz robs Balcers. Of course. The emphasis post-game – as it should be – will be on San Jose’s unfocused, to put it kindly, first period. But make no mistake, Jones was not good tonight either.

Last two periods have pretty much been practice for San Jose Sharks: Five straight power plays until Marleau’s tripping. They’ve outshot Anaheim 30-5 over last two periods.

First period, #SJSharks outshot #FlyTogether 14-13, outscored 3-0. Last 2 periods, SJS outshot ANA 30-5, outscored 1-0

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2021