The Detroit Red Wings face the San Jose Sharks this evening (10:30 PM EDT on FSD/NBCS Bay Area/97.1 FM), and this is going to be a difficult game for the Wings as the Sharks are facing some serious playoff pressure.
San Jose sits second in the Pacific Division with a 36-23-and-9 record and 81 points, but there are two wild card and three playoff-hopeful teams hot on their tail.
The Joe Thornton-less Sharks have gone 3-and-2 over their past 5 games, but have lost 2 of their past 3, with Saturday’s 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals representing the latest setback.
STATS’ game preview sets up tonight’s game from the Sharks’ perspective:
The Sharks wrap up their longest homestand of the season Monday night by trying to hand the Detroit Red Wings their seventh straight loss.
San Jose (36-23-9) looks to get back in the win column after falling 2-0 to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Martin Jones stopped 24 of 25 shots, but the Sharks fell to 3-2-0 on the homestand.
“We were good enough to hang around and stay in it but not good enough to win, and that’s the line you have to be on the right side of this time of year,” coach Peter DeBoer said.
San Jose is second in the Pacific Division, and trying to hold off the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames over the final 3 1/2 weeks of the season. The Sharks are 12 points behind the Vegas Golden Knights, who are cruising to a division title in their inaugural season.
“We’re trying to make the playoffs. Trying to get points against anyone,” said winger Logan Couture, who leads the team with 27 goals.
After potting 12 goals over the first two games in the homestand, San Jose has found the back of the net only four times over the last three contests.
Couture, Joe Pavelski and Timo Meier carried the Sharks’ offense by combining for seven goals and three assists in wins over the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks. Over the last three contests, the three players combined for one assist.
The Sharks seek a split of the season series after a 2-1 shootout loss on Jan. 31 in Detroit despite 43 saves through overtime from Jones (22-18-6, 2.46 goals-against average, four shutouts), who has split two career starts versus the Red Wings at SAP Center.
The Associated Press and NHL.com provide Sharks-Capitals recaps, and NHL.com also provides a Sharks-Caps highlight clip:
How we’re starting things off this afternoon. #WSHvsSJS pic.twitter.com/iqxbC7hsw3
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 10, 2018
There was a stat on SportsNet last night. The Wings are dead last in wins after trailing after the 2nd period. 1 Fricken Win. I would think the Wings Management know what the problem is. I think this stat could tell a lot
If the Wings sign a backup goalie anywhere near $4M per year, I will be pissed. The ones available are pretty thin on skill.
Blashill on Svech “I don’t think I have played him enough” No Sh!t coach. 9 mins and 5 mins respectively.
I do feel for the players, having to play meaningless to the end of the season. All the talk about playing hard and making the playoffs. They have to say that but anyone playing for a team with this record KNOWS it is very difficult to do. It is really a mental thing and I feel the Wings already have some mental problems.
One goal in TWENTY games (PP time) for top 6 Nyquist is unacceptable. He is too soft, plays on the perimeter. Tough to trade but he has to go!
The horrible trades that have been made, sealed KH’s fate.
Blashill divided the room, plus a large # of questionable moves. The Refs had to warn that they would give a Too Many Men problem. The Blender isn’t working and a bigger problem, the players are confused about who is in the next shift. Sorry Blash, but you should have started as an Asst Coach. When or if you show/learn NHL Coaches systems . Anyway you are gone. Smart but Stupid in the NHL at this time. I know that is hard to understand.