Preview/Lines #5: Silver Lining in Sharks’ Start of Season Stumble…And No, It’s Not Connor Bedard

ELMONT, N.Y. — The San Jose Sharks may be 0-4-0 and looking to avoid dropping five straight games to start the season for the first time in franchise history, but there have been a couple silver linings in their play.

And I’m not just talking about that immaculate penalty kill!

Per SPORTLOGiQ, the San Jose Sharks finished last in the NHL with 4:15 Offensive Zone Possession Time at Even Strength. To underscore how much the Sharks struggled at possessing the puck, the league median was 5:43 and NHL-leading Edmonton Oilers clocked in at 6:51.

That’s something that the Sharks hoped to address this past summer with the additions of high-compete puck battlers like Luke Kunin, Steven Lorentz, and Nico Sturm.

There have been encouraging early returns: The Sharks, through an admittedly small sample size of four games, have either outpossessed or held serve in ES OZ Possession in three of their four games this year:

“We have spent more time in the O-zone with puck possession,” David Quinn said, “but we think there’s a lot more of an opportunity for us to be more productive offensively, stay inside a little bit more, be consistent with our approach.”

Ay, that’s the rub.

The San Jose Sharks appear to be doing a better job of possessing the puck, and that should lead to more shots, and therefore, more goals. But that hasn’t happened yet, with the Sharks stuck at four 5-on-5 goals through four games.

No time better than tonight to change that!

San Jose Sharks (0-4-0)

James Reimer will start and Alexander Barabanov is a game-time decision, per David Quinn.

I would expect Barabanov to play. If he does, he might represent just one of many changes to the Sharks lines tonight:

Quinn won't confirm that Barabanov is playing tomorrow, but you can more or less take it to the bank, Barabanov was on the PP and Quinn noted that he's looks good in practice.

He also noted, with schedule normalizing, that he's open to a goalie taking the reins, getting hot

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 17, 2022

Sharks lines during the pre-power play part of practice (the last two lines had four guys rotating) …

Meier-Couture-Kunin
Barabanov-Hertl-Lorentz
Lindblom-Bonino-Labanc-Nieto
Gregor-Sturm-Svechnikov-Gadjovich

— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) October 17, 2022

New York Islanders

Shark Bait Ooh Ha Ha, Gm 3: Islanders vs. Sharks, Line Combos, Updates & More

Where to Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the New York Islanders at UBS Arena at 4:30 PM PST. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.