Preview/Lines #16: Meier’s ‘Hustle’ Leading to Scoring Explosion

“That’s hustle.”

That’s what San Jose Sharks color commentator Bret Hedican said about Timo Meier last night, and it’s one of the reasons why the star winger has exploded after a slow start to the season.

After going without a goal through his first nine games of the season – Meier had just two assists – the star winger has exploded, notching six goals and four assists in his last six contests.

Here’s what Hedican was talking about:

Meier (28) just sons Brayden Schenn (10), and his persistence would lead to offensive zone time for San Jose.

They’re hockey cliches, but hard work and good defense do lead to offense.

Meier’s goal last night came off his work ethic too:

That’s Meier tracking back on the loose puck, then getting in front of the net for the deflection.

“That’s the way we want to play, obviously. He’s done a really good job of it lately,” head coach David Quinn said. “The hounding of the puck and the tracking, causing those turnovers certainly give you an opportunity to create offense.”

Erik Karlsson deserves all the spotlight in the world for what he’s doing this season. Karlsson has 21 points in the Sharks’ first 15 games this year, tying Patrick Marleau’s 2009-10 franchise record for most points to start the season. And tonight, the defenseman is taking aim at Owen Nolan’s pace-setting 23 points in 16 contests to begin 1999-00.

But under the radar, Meier has been carrying the Sharks recently too.

San Jose Sharks (3-9-3)

Projected lines for the #SJSharks as they travel to face #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/K5p6IRVvMA

— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) November 11, 2022

Dallas Stars (8-4-1)

Check out Dallas Hockey Now for their projected Dallas Stars lines.

Where to Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Dallas Stars at 5:30 PM PST at American Airlines Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.