San Jose Sharks
Klingberg Strikes Back, 3 Points for Celebrini, Sharks Beat Canes 4-1
The San Jose Sharks visit Lenovo Center to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Collin Graf and John Klingberg and Alex Wennberg and Macklin Celebrini scored, and the Sharks won 4-1.
Period 1
Graf goal: Whoa, what a pass from Celebrini. I mean, what a pass. Sandwiched by two Canes in high slot, presence of mind to put it exactly where he wants in blue paint for Graf. That honestly might’ve been Macklin’s best goal-scoring pass of the season so far.
San Jose Sharks with jump tonight, Kurashev with a spirited backcheck.
5 in: Tough Leddy turnover, he had a step on the puck retrieval, but he’s slow and Ehlers grabs it. Last pod, I mentioned a couple scouts told me that they thought he had lost a step.
Klingberg-Celebrini-Eklund-Toffoli-Wennberg is PP1. Klingberg makes a nice bounce pass when pressured high. It’s a good start for the refreshed PP1. Orlov-Smith-Skinner-Kurashev-Graf follow. Decent momentum from both groups.
10 in: Smith loses it on exit, but Celebrini right there to jump on Svechnikov to steal it. Like the two-way effort and compete from Sharks tonight.
Staal goal: That looked like a high touch from the rear angle they showed, but they’re counting it. Nice PP tip then. Sharks have played a solid period, so time to re-focus.
3 left: Eklund, Kurashev, Dellandrea on top of action there, forechecking, playing inside.
Ferraro penalty: Gut check time for Sharks, period to be proud of, finish it tied. Don’t focus on whether the Ferraro penalty legit, that’s loser mentality.
Period 2
2 in: Good pin and takeaway from Leddy on Hall.
4 in: Klingberg prevents the Canes’ centering pass? Good job to get back on their rush. San Jose Sharks need some offense, in general, though.
A 2-on-1 off a good-looking Liljegren defensive play and Celebrini tip pass to Smith. Smith and Eklund, but Smith fumbled puck, unfortunate.
Klingberg goal: Skinner forecheck without stick kept it alive for new line to jump on. Terrific Celebrini pass give-and-go. Credit to Sharks before this though, genuinely close to great chances, pressuring Canes. Aforementioned Smith bobble, Dellandrea just missed Dickinson 2-on-1, Smith to Graf all alone in front deflection went wide, then Skinner’s stick broke on a cross-slot one-timer, before his forecheck.
9 left: Ostapchuk chance, I’ve liked his game tonight overall.
8 left: Beaut stretch pass by Klingberg to Graf, almost leads to Smith coming down slot all alone. Kids will say I’m glazing, but Klingberg, even without the goal, has been good tonight. Sharks getting the reward without the risk.
Wennberg goal: I don’t think Warsofsky could’ve drawn up a better game for Klingberg haha. But of course, he has to do it more consistently. He’s a proud vet who really cares though, so good that he should get a moment in the sun? Still plenty of game left. Simple puck movement on the PP pays off.
3 left: Oh man, what a chance for Dellandrea. Great work by him and Skinner, give and go. But Dellandrea’s got to get that puck over the pad, wide-open, just him and Kochetkov’s pad.
Period 3
Ehlers makes a move on Orlov, huge Nedeljkovic save, who’s been solid.
1 in: Canes pushing, you knew it was going to come. Like Remenda says, not careful puck management.
Skinner penalty: Sharks pretty much just defending all period. Just getting it out quick, Canes pressure on top of them of course, but they’re not helping each other out of the zone. Skinner a little lucky not to get more with that slamming of the stick after the call.
7 in: Even Celebrini forced to just dump it out (he made the right call there). But San Jose Sharks getting dominated so far in this period, down 10-1 shots.
10 in: Good reaction by Liljegren, bats away high fluttering puck away from net. Earlier, Orlov went for the off-the-glass right off faceoff win, as Remenda noted, Sharks gotta make a play.
Hell of a game from wenberg and Ned, thought Graf fit in well on the top line
They thought I was a fool naming the line of smith celebrini and graf “why bother they’ll never play together again” well who is a fool now.
Tailgate BBQ line supremacy
(BC, BU, Quinnipiac)
Well what do ya know, Leddy-Klingberg get their 1st Win of the season.
Took’em long enough to prove me wrong. I dare them to do it again!
Joking & sarcasm aside, Klingy (Warso’s nickname for him) played a decent game with few mental lapses, same w/ Leddy. On the whole, entire team played better. Really helps when Sharks score 30 seconds into the game & Mack leads the way w/ 3 points in his 100th game.
As Mack goes, so goes the Sharks. And Mack is looking good!
This is why Warsofsky is willing to give Klingberg more chances. Even at this stage of his career I think he can be a 50 point defenseman. But I just don’t know he can be consistent from night to night. This may be a blip.
This is basically what we hoped for when they signed him. Definitely not ready to call it anything more than a blip.
Only saw parts of the first and The “Hobey” Line looked good early. How did they hold up the rest of the game!?
As one of many who has been critical of Klingberg’s continued presence in the lineup, I want to acknowledge his solid game tonight. And, as I said when he had a good game a month or so back, I hope this is indicative of him finding his groove. I remain skeptical, but I can still hope.
If the Shak or others stay out of the lineup because Klingberg is playing well, I can live with that.
No.
Agree 100%.
I think Him having more nights like tonight, will help him figure out his new norm, and think he will…it has been though, to keep thinking he will, but was a good step in right direction.
Leddy on other hand can go, and needs to… Muhk should be playing over him. Ilorio can go back to Cuda once Vinny is back.
Skinner has great edges and quickness, he’s got a little sandpaper to his game too! He was noticeable the last 2 games coming back from injury. I’m hoping he finds his form again and gives us that boost in the secondary scoring we have lacked recently!
Even just shooting a ton will be helpful. He’s doing ok prior to injury. Seems like he’s determined to make a difference.
I have thought he looks so much more engaged and excellent, like the Skinner hoped to get, since he been back.
I used to pray for times like these
Sharks formula: Very good goaltending + Macklin = win
Not sure how many of their wins followed this recipe, but I suspect its almost all of them.
What do people think of the coach’s post game talk here?: https://youtube.com/shorts/OHzoaxF1Yn8
That was excellent. Kept it simple, not too emotional, just called out the little things. I had been wondering if Warso was our Mark Jackson, but maybe he’s also our Steve Kerr
Go watch his other post game talks. He’s that guy every time. Dudes a great coach.