Notes #45: Sharks Give All-Out Defensive Effort, Fall Short in Carolina 2-1

RALEIGH, N.C. — The San Jose Sharks go from Florida to Carolina in what’s now one of the NHL’s toughest back-to-back’s in the league (counting Tampa Bay too). Shades of the old, dreaded San Jose-Los Angeles-Anaheim road trip. The Sharks were able to play the tight defensive effort that they wanted, but a late goal sent them out without a point.

Period One

Trocheck goal: You need a stop from Reimer there. Yes, a couple Sharks NZ turnovers lead to it, but the shot was still well-defended and from distance. Hertl missed Meier on entry. Then accurate Merkley pass to Cogliano gets blocked on attempted dump.

Five in: Don’t like that from Pederson. Coming down wing, you’re open, if you’re going to hit trailer, fine, but you better hit him, instead it’s a turnover and counterattack goes the other way. Not what you want to do when you’re getting a rare shot.

Seven in: Barabanov does a great job getting to the middle on a harassing Pesce. Meier a hard pick on Skjei behind net, could’ve been called.

Eight in: Surprising middle to outside kickout by Barabanov to Viel, maybe you would prefer net drive there.

Still not sure why Viel went after Svechnikov, but Canes get a power play out of it, so they win that exchange. Good following kill by the San Jose Sharks.

Eight left: Beautiful area pass from Vlasic to Barabanov. Always say it, an underrated puckmover in his prime.

Six left: And Burns follows with a gorgeous lead pass to Hertl in zone to give Hertl space in front.

Five left: Meloche does a good job cutting off Jarvis, keeping him to outside.

Three left: Dahlen backhand chance just misses, a lot of fine puck movement started by Burns. I’ve liked Burns’s period so far at both ends.

Good news is #SJSharks have played a very good period, outplayed #LetsGoCanes. Bad news, well, you know the score. But Sharks will take this type of period any day, 5-2 Slot Shots

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 30, 2022

Period Two

Two in: Nice against-the-grain pass from Burns to Nieto in NZ, gave Sharks a second there.

Three in: That deflection might’ve been first very dangerous Canes shot.

Four in: Meier has puck along the wall in DZ, wheels toward middle, turnover. Second-straight game where Timo doesn’t seem to have it. Everybody else seems on board tonight (except for that first Reimer goal allowed), San Jose Sharks need their All-Star.

He's putting a wrap around his left wrist, looks like game on

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 30, 2022

Eight in: Great shift by Meier and San Jose Sharks. He was like a house on fire there. Barabanov back out too.

Ten in: Nieto with a great job stepping in front of slot pass there. He doesn’t do that, it’s a Grade-A. Good bend-not-break D from a tired-looking Sharks.

Eight left: Canes starting to get their game going, Sharks need to change momentum. A Burns icing there doesn’t help.

And a irresponsible-looking F3 — Meier — leaves the entire weakside open, Simek and Merkley left to their own devices on a four-on-two. Leads to Simek taking out Nino. But Meier gets a reprieve as Trocheck trips Burns.

The last faceoff he took was Feb. 26, 2019. The last one before that was in the 2015-16season

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 30, 2022

Three left: Pederson just had a point-blank in the slot, looks like he skys it.

Sharks allowed just one slot shot in that period, per SPORTLOGiQ — they're playing a very solid defensive game, exceptional considering last night, but gotta find some offense

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 30, 2022

Period Three

Opening shift: Another half-step and Dahlen is in the clear on that momentary two-on-one.

One in: Pesce picks Barabanov up high. Wonder if the winger could’ve sold that one. Sharks need some offense somehow. Not blaming AB.

Balcers goal: Couture came flying out of nowhere on forecheck. Great work. Some scratched Sharks sitting near me, defying the no cheering in pressbox etiquette.

Reimer follows with a terrific save on Fast, who slipped Vlasic. Vlasic maybe a little puck-watching.

Four in: Megna gets stick on Lorentz, Canes like playing from behind net but stick is there. Carolina pushing, let’s see if they can turn on a switch.

I’ve liked Raleigh, great crowd too, but the “Woos” here are a bit much. But crowd is responsive, they’re on everything, not a bad thing, it’s a loud, fun atmosphere.

Seven in: Good hustle by Meier to get onside as Hertl picked up in NZ.

Nine in: I bet Sharks staff will want Dahlen just to shoot there.

Ten in: More good Megna D, he closes on Skjei.

Some good exciting boring hockey here from the San Jose Sharks.

Looks like Vlasic has moved up with Burns, Megna with Meloche

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 31, 2022

Six left: Loose puck in front of Reimer, battle of desire, Sharks win.

Five left: Cogliano skates with Aho, again, will and skating. Canes don’t get much, though earn an icing. Sharks icing it a lot here.

Svechnikov goal: That’s tough. Burns can’t tie up the young star. Sharks have deserved a point tonight, let’s see what they have in tank.

Two left: Great pinch by Vlasic. But Dahlen can’t connect with Burns with pass up high. Want Dahlen to take more charge there?

What a save on Andersen on a diving Gregor. Pesce block takes steam off Gregor shot too.