Sharks Locker Room: Quinn Talks Gushchin’s Season Debut, Hoffman on Snapping Slump

Same ‘ol San Jose Sharks.

For exactly 2:45, they had flipped the script on the Florida Panthers, up 3-2 in the third period after two quick goals by Tomas Hertl and Luke Kunin.

The Sharks did what teams have been doing to them all season.

But just as quickly as they gained the lead, they lost it after just the aforementioned 2:45, surrendering quick goals in 1:03 from Carter Verhaeghe on the power play and Kevin Stenlund, en route to a 5-3 loss.

San Jose is now 2-13-1. After a two-game winning streak last week, they’ve dropped their last three.

“Our penalty kill was unable to deliver tonight. The fourth goal [by Stenlund] really was a backbreaker, just that loose coverage on the net front. It was a simple shot from the point, we don’t pick up a stick at the net, and it ends up in the back of the net,” San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn lamented.

Mike Hoffman also scored, his first as a Shark, snapping a 16-game goalless streak, the second-longest of his career.

Jan Rutta spoke after the game about the unfortunate state of the penalty kill. Hoffman reviewed his season so far. Quinn talked about Danil Gushchin’s season debut and Kunin’s hard work getting rewarded.

Jan Rutta

Rutta, on what needs to improve on the penalty kill:

Don’t get scored on. I don’t know, it’s gotta start somehow. Just outwork the power play. The PK’s not doing so well.

Rutta, on how his game has improved as of late:

We lost today, but we’re trying to grow as a team. We were playing a little bit more connected, whether it’s D-zone or our breakouts, so I don’t think it’s just me. I really liked our play today.

Mike Hoffman

Hoffman, on snapping his 16-game goalless streak:

Yeah, obviously, as an offensive guy, you don’t want to be going too long without seeing the puck go in the net. It’s a good feeling.

Hoffman, on what the San Jose Sharks have to do to score more goals:

You have to shoot the puck in the net.

Hoffman’s assessment of his season:

As of late, it’s gotten a little bit better. But obviously, not good enough.

David Quinn

Quinn, on blowing the third period lead:

Our penalty kill was unable to deliver tonight. The fourth goal [by Kevin Stenlund] really was a backbreaker, just that loose coverage on the net front. It was a simple shot from the point, we don’t pick up a stick at the net, and it ends up in the back of the net.

Quinn, on the Givani Smith roughing penalty that led to another Florida power play goal:

Yeah, I’m gonna hold judgment that one. Because I can’t tell you I agree with that call.

Quinn, on Danil Gushchin’s season debut:

He does good things with the puck. He’s a smart player and he’s competitive. I thought he did a lot of good things today.

Quinn, on Luke Kunin getting rewarded:

Luke’s a hard-nosed player. He’s important to our team. It was nice that he has two goals the last two games in the same spot. Right around the net. On the doorstep.

Quinn, on the performance of the Tomas Hertl line:

I didn’t love that line early. I thought they got better as the game went on. We talked about just taking care of the puck between blue lines, that was gonna be pivotal for tonight. Unfortunately, we gave up one [to Ryan Lomberg] that ended up in the back of our net.

Quinn, on Duclair not taking warm-ups, when there was optimism that he might: "Still not feeling right."

We'll check on him tomorrow

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 15, 2023