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9 Not Fine: Sharks Lose Hard-Fought Game 2-1

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Credit: NBC Sports California

The San Jose Sharks come to Dallas trying to snap an eight-game losing streak. Timo Meier got the Sharks on the board, but San Jose lost a hard-fought 2-1 decision to the Stars.

Period 1

1 in: Great pass by Dahlen to Hertl. He’s off to a nice start. Creating space for himself in tight spots.

Seguin goal: Before the goal, Remenda didn’t like the Merkley pass up the middle that eventually resulted in San Jose Sharks’ icing. Seguin would score off ensuing draw. I might end up being in minority here, but Merkley did put it where there were 3 Sharks and no Stars, even if up the middle. I don’t think I mind that so much. Not sure if Sharks were as ready for that pass as they should’ve been. Do mind — but I guess it’s expected — how Benn has his way with Merkley in front on tip pass. Was Vlasic aware of Seguin behind him or did Benn presence/tip change angle of pass and also make it a 2-on-1 down low on Vlasic? Anyway, too easy.

9 left: Liked that Meloche shift. He surfs in OZ, keeps it in, then walls off Pavelski.

6 left: Good play by Bonino to keep Stars from exiting. Still making good little plays, wonder if the wing thing is just letting youth experience center, or if it’s a prelude to him playing there more next year. Remember Wild had him at fourth-line wing for a lot of last year.

That’s a bad Merkley turnover.

5 left: Gregor needs to make a better choice there I think. A lot of duress as he tries to exit, but chip it out instead of turn it over in zone. Young mistake I think.

2 left: Nice job by Vlasic to stop Glendening in tracks.

1 left: Rough display of puck-moving by Meloche there though. Glass and out doesn’t get out. Has to.

Sharks continue to play hard: SPORTLOGiQ has San Jose up 3-2 Slot Shots at ES, Natural Stat Trick 3-1 High-Danger at 5v5. Both Remenda and Chmelevski observed that Sharks are playing more to system, which I see to. Probably their best hope with depleted line-up.

Period 2

First shift, Meloche looks awkward contending with Hintz off rush, but he appears effective. There’s a chance, but that doesn’t appear to be on the defenseman.

3 in: Meloche is a glass-and-out d-man. I don’t mean that as a compliment. If he could improve that marginally, would make a huge difference for him big picture, because he defends fairly well. Strong and rangy.

7 in: Great recovery and awareness by Vlasic, who was fronting the man up high, then covered the breakdown in slot. Really outstanding. Covered for another guy there. He’s much maligned, but by and large, he’s still playing effective hockey in a more limited role.

Gregor almost gets one past Oettinger. Flashes that speed, assertive with the puck. Like.

9 left: Meloche does a nice job walling off Raffl.

8 left: Almost caught, but Merkley does a nice job of escaping a couple Stars forecheckers.

Raffl goal: That’s a really nice job by Lindell — there are two Sharks on him in the corner, Dahlen and Chmelevski — and he still manages to get the puck behind them for Glendening. That can’t happen, looks like Sasha didn’t seal the wall on Lindell rim. By the way — I know all the energy is for how Burns played the 2-on-1. Really not the biggest problem there. It’s on this replay:

Meier goal: Nice bump pass by Dahlen off faceoff, he beat Klingberg to a loose puck, then Dahlen and Hertl create the traffic. Merkley does a nice job of recognizing that Meier was in an intermediate scoring area soft spot, Stars defense was concentrated down low. Looks like Klingberg didn’t rotate quick enough on Meier either.

SPORTLOGiQ likes San Jose Sharks’ ES efforts: 5-3 Slot Shots, 5-1 Chances Off Cycle, 2-1 Chances Off Rush. NST not as favorable, they have DAL 7-6 High-Danger at 5v5.

Period 3

That was a good block about a couple minutes in.

8 in: Meloche holds for eternity behind Kahkonen, comes out, then glass and out. Not saying it was wrong play. But yeah, as I was saying.

Dahlen back in.

8 left: Meloche coming out from behind Kahkonen, seems to have a little space and time, Gregor stationary but looks open, but a pass too hard seems to clank, turn over. Remenda noted, and I agree, be good to see Meloche have more confidence with puck, take another step or two, that will make an easier play.

Gregor’s speed gets a call.

Burns to Dahlen one-timer off draw, that would’ve been nice. Looks like Couture for Chmelevski. Second unit is now Merkley, Bonino, Gregor, Reedy, Balcers. Gregor getting rewarded. At end of PP, fantastic job by Merkley to create a shooting lane for himself, Reedy in front.

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