Preview/Lines #3: Kunin Leads Sharks in Scoring Chances

It’s easy to focus on the scoring chances that are missed.

But for Luke Kunin, it’s worth spotlighting the good position that he’s been putting himself in, to lead the San Jose Sharks in Quality Chances.

It’s not particularly close either: Per SPORTLOGiQ, Kunin has already piled up five Quality Chances through just two games. Filip Zadina and William Eklund follow with just two each.

But Kunin has been unable to convert on his chances.

You can focus on the positive or negative of that. We know what side of the ledger that San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn is on.

“When you miss as much hockey as he has, your timing can get off a little bit. That fraction of a second of offensive anticipation,” Quinn said of Kunin, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last December. “But I never question his work ethic, obviously amazing guy, that’s a strong personality here.”

It’s good to see, in the long layoff, that Kunin (11) hasn’t appeared to lose any of his speed or hockey sense.

Eklund with a great set up, Kunin just can't finish pic.twitter.com/ZUfWfIUZPA

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) October 13, 2023

Luke Kunin crashes the net pic.twitter.com/wgoBHW7kAk

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) October 15, 2023

Kunin isn’t in the right place and right time by accident. He’s earned his scoring chances.

So Kunin seems to have the hard part down – hopefully, soft hands start to finish.

From 2019 to 2021, Kunin scored at a 20-goal pace. The winger is a very valuable player, if he’s doing that, on top of his grit and penalty-killing.

San Jose Sharks (0-1-1)

Zadina-Hertl-Duclair
Eklund-Bordeleau-Hoffman
Barabanov-Peterson-Kunin
Smith-Sturm-Zetterlund

Ferraro-Burroughs
Thrun-Benning
Knyzhov-Rutta

Blackwood

Carolina Hurricanes (2-1-0)

Hurricanes Seek Bounceback Effort Against San Jose

Where to Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.