Notes #51: Sharks Snap 7-Game Losing Streak, 4-3 Shootout Win

The San Jose Sharks welcome the New York Islanders into SAP Center tonight — the Sharks are trying to snap a seven-game skid. Alexander Barabanov and Jasper Weatherby got the Sharks off to a good start with first period goals, and Logan Couture scored in the middle frame, but…

Period One

Six in: What a pass from Barabanov and Hertl one-on-one versus Sorokin — crossbar. Hertl looks to the sky.

All-time games played leader Marleau appears on the jumbotron to congratulate All-time games played for a defenseman Chara — that's a nice touch by Sharks

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

17th straight successful kill by #SJSharks

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

Eight left: Another power shift by Meier. Splits a couple d-men, almost completes a beauty cross-slot pass to Meloche.

Six left: Play like that, Dahlen loses it at his feet on breakout, I think you’d prefer, if he must move it, to throw it up wall instead of tossing a soft, inaccurate pass up the middle of the neutral zone to Couture. Turnover.

Nelson goal: Hedican wondered why Dahlen was in the corner, it was a quick NYI counterattack. He was filling in because his linemates got off too quickly (albeit off his turnover). Regardless, he was in the right place. Think it’s Weatherby off the bench who ended up in wrong place. Usually, that would be Weatherby’s spot down low, but Dahlen was rotating right because of the counterattack, the center needed to adjust.

Five left: Nieto sees Bonino in front, Bonino makes a move, a couple good stabs. Bonino has been noticeable to start.

Barabanov goal: Good choice by the winger to shoot with a Sharks double screen there.

Weatherby goal: Can’t think of the last time the San Jose Sharks got one of those seeing-eye or lucky bounce goals.

Bonino with a game-high four shots in the first period — he's had some good looks to start

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

Period Two

It’s a close game — NYI 4-3 Slot Shots (per SPORTLOGiQ), San Jose Sharks 5-4 High-Danger 5v5 (per Natural Stat Trick) — the difference is a bounce.

Sluggish opening shift from Vlasic: NYI dump-in, he gets it, but Bellows on him like white on rice.

Two in: Dzingel pops into opening in front for a deflection. He’s an asset in places like that. Not fond of his work along boards though, which tracks.

6-foot-0 Viel, 25, giving nine inches to Chara, 44, there

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

Five in: Ferraro gets out of trouble with a nice no-look shovel pass out of corner.

Ten in: Dzingel picks up a loose puck coming out of zone with good feet, finds Gregor for a chance.

Gregor has moved up with Couture/Dzingel, Dahlen down. Boughner though did say this morning that he would flip-flop those two wingers, depending on the situation

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

It looks like Weatherby loses Parise: Six of Parise’s last 15 goals, dating back to Mar. 2020, three seasons ago, have been scored against the Sharks.

Maybe a taste of the future? The Sharks hope at least: Hertl to Merkley to Couture

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

Pelech goal: Hedican makes a good point, not sure what Cogliano is doing as Ferraro is trying to get it to him in the NZ. Looks like Pelech just shoots it though Reimer too. Looks like San Jose Sharks goaltending has stabilized too — and not in a good way.

#Isles Zdeno Chara (44 years, 343 days) is the oldest player in NHL history to have a fighting major, while Matt Nieto, playing in his 544th NHL game, had his first career scrap. #NYIvs SJS #NHLStats #HockeyTwitter

— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) February 25, 2022

Period Three

“Let’s go Islanders” chant a little too loud right now.

One in: Meier taken down, wonders why he didn’t get the call. Was talking to a scout recently about Meier — this scout felt that Meier got a bad rap early in his career for being a bit of a ratty player, so he’s not getting the calls now. I’ll say that the early rep was wrong IMO — I liked that pesky aspect of Meier’s game as a youngster. Meier was a guy who also sold calls early in his career, I think — that’s not a criticism, by the way. All’s fair.

Five in: Don’t love that fat rebound by Reimer on Barzal PP shot.

Six in: Bonino does a good job pestering Pulock up high on PK, leads to an NYI turnover.

12 minutes into third, Sharks still don't have a shot

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 25, 2022

OT

Meier-Hertl-Ferraro to start.

What a save on Nelson by Reimer.