Sharks Lose Granlund, Shootout to Lowly Hawks

The San Jose Sharks finish their road trip at the United Center, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s Match for Macklin I!

Preview/Lines #45: The Match for Macklin, Vlasic on Vlasic

Ryan Carpenter scores

Period 1

Broadcast suggests that Duclair was a healthy scratch. Will double-check with Quinn later. Another theory that I’m contemplating for why the San Jose Sharks are so bad: No-name players are prepared to work. Guys who have produced like Duclair and Hoffman and Labanc, etc., they’re motivated if they’re producing or if they’re on a winning team, I think. But harder to get their best when you’re not producing individually and your team is in a tailspin. Just a thought. This Sharks season has made me think about human nature a lot haha. I was thinking this earlier this season, when I’ve had thought that they’re made up of so many “mercenaries”. How do you motivate a group like that?

6 in: Interesting talk about how Eklund has slowed down recently, “fighting it” is what they said. That failed dropped pass is an example of it. At his best, Eklund is distributing the puck to the next guy, both routine and spectacular, with regularity. That’s more routine, but Eklund erased along the wall, turnover. I’m not saying that’s an easy play, but you need a better play. Suggestion by broadcast is it’s his legs, long season and all. A couple things that I will say on Eklund’s behalf, I think he keeps being played, better or worse, because he has the mental fortitude for it. Think back to Montreal, he was awful in the first period, but then picked it up with a strong finish to the game. So the hope, I think, is there’s a bounceback just around the corner.

Does it ever drive you crazy
Just how fast the night changes?

The Vlasics then vs. now ➡️ pic.twitter.com/TuMZJGpgpt

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 17, 2024

Guttman goal: Sharks start off on the wrong foot, give Hawks first two power plays. Honestly, don’t understand enough about PK to properly criticize it. But obviously, losing Couture, Sturm, Benning, Bonino, Nieto off last year’s top-10 unit matters. Ferraro has a chance, under duress, to clear.

San Jose Sharks power play units: Granlund-Hertl-Zetterlund-Eklund-Barabanov, then Ferraro-Hoffman-Labanc-Kunin-probably Zadina (Hertl was out there the full two minutes).

2 left: Labanc on exit doesn’t look great, but then, he rallies with just a quick shot from bad angle, Carpenter there. That’s more shot mentality.

Period 2

3 in: Eklund crossbar? Not sure if Okhotiuk touched it too. But the good: Eklund has a positive puck touch, filtering it down to Hertl in front of the net.

6 in: Good bump by Okhotiuk on Kurashev in NZ. Quinn called yesterday’s Buffalo game the best from Okhotiuk so far this season.

7 in: Zadina hard back-check, timely stick lift on Reichel in slot as pass arrives. Stellar defensive work.

Sabourin 10-9 over Tinordi. Tinordi got off to a quick start. Good on Sabourin to be right there for Bailey, who got hit high by Tinordi.

8 left: Tough shift for Granlund, maybe doing a little too much with puck, though he caps it off with a beaut slot pass to Zetterlund.

6 left: Good job by Barabanov to draw a penalty.

Savvy by Hertl on power play, trying to clear space in high slot, stick lifts Jones right before pass arrives.

5 left: Obviously not great by Granlund to lose it at the point, but that third effort to keep Blackwell from a breakaway, despite his mistakes, that’s why he’s in the line-up every night along with the obvious skill (the previous shift I highlighted, had mistakes, ended with a great pass to Zetterlund).

3 left: Barabanov basically Shadowcats through Reichel to retain possession. Beautiful. Points have been scarce, consistency on-off, but good to see.

San Jose Sharks were the better team in this period, 10-5 Slot Shots, 6-0 High-Danger at Even Strength. Did waste some power play time.

Period 3

Hopefully Granlund OK, that would be a huge blow to lose him. Granlund favoring right shoulder.

Granlund Injury: ‘Might Be Out a Little Bit’

Carpenter goal: Nice play by Bailey, beats Korchinski to rim, quick pass to Carpenter.

OT

Hertl-Eklund-Ferraro to start.