San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) is unable to score past St. Louis Blues goalie Ty Conklin (29) in the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Power plays can be any teams nightmare or secret weapon and on Thursday night at HP Pavilion it seemed the nightmare was the Sharks while the St. Louis Blues used it as their own secret weapon in their 3-2 shootout win over the Sharks. 

The Sharks who came into the game with a two game win streak and one of the best power plays in hockey, failed to score any goals on them and allowed their fifth short-handed goal of the season, and the fourth in the last three games.  The game was a tug of war, with both teams playing physical and not giving up much in offense.  Dany Heatley would start things off, ending his season-worst four-game steak without a goal by scoring one at 1:19 in the first.  The 50-foot slap shot was Hatley’s 19th goal of the season and was created by Joe Thornton’s pass. 

Thornton’s assist kept his point streak to 10 games (3 goals, 15 assists).  Jay McClement tied things up for the Blues with his left-handed shot from the right side at 11:06 in the first.  Joe Pavelski would open up the second with his goal at 5:54 to give the Sharks a 2-1 edge.  The Sharks went into the third looking as though they had things all wrapped up when Carlo Colaiacovo scored a short-handed goal with 6.6 seconds left in the game after Nabokov made a kick save on Barrett Jackman’s shot. 

Overtime would be more of the same with both teams firing at each others net without any thing going in.  The shootout would come next with the Blues getting on the board first with the goal by Andy McDonald after Ryan Clowes own shot missed wide.  Joe Pavelski would try and tie things up with his own shot but was shut down after his shot missed the goalpost.  The Blues Brad Boyes tried to win the game for his team with his own shot but was denied by Nabokov.  Patrick Marleau would tie the scoring up with his eight-foot backhand shot that went past Blues goalie Ty Conklin.  T.J. Oshie would win the game for the Blues after his 20-foot wrist shot found its way in the back of the Sharks net.

The San Jose Shark are a great team, everyone knows that but after going 3-4 in shootouts the Sharks better think of a solution fast and I mean very fast.

Till next time, SharkGirl

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa, right, of Slovakia, is defended by San Jose Sharks right wing Ryane Clowe during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

No hockey team can stay perfect or have perfect records because in the game of hockey some games go your way and others dont.  This was the reality for the San Jose Sharks as they experienced their first home loss of the season courtesy of newly acquired Marian Hossa, who helped lead his new team to a 7-2 beat down at HP Pavilion. 

 The Sharks gave up three short-handed goals, the most the team has ever allowed and were only able to get on the board thanks to two late goahe third by Dan Boyle and Joe Pavelski.  The Blackhawks controlled the entire game and tempo from the start, playing more alert than the top team in the west.  The lack of high energy and goal scoring was noticed by Coach Todd McLellan along with Dan Boyle, who felt embarrassed by the high number of goals his team allowed. 

Chicago scored its first goal late in the first period off Tony Brouwer’s short-handed goal and his seventh of the season.  The Blackhawks would continue with two more short-handed goals with the second by Marian Hossa at 4:57 in the second period and 28 seconds later another by Patrick Sharp.  Dustin Byfuglin would score Chicago’s last goal in the second with a rebound that found its way past Evgeni Nabokov.  Brent Seabrook would continue the impressive scoring into the third with a goal at 5:19 that put his team up 5-0.   Newcomer Marian Hossa scored his second goal of the night at 6:19 and made his transition to his new team as seemless as possible.  John Madden would compete the scoring for Chicago with a goal at 11:38.  Dany Heatley would record his 19 point in his last 18 games with an assist on a power play goal by Dan Boyle at 16:17.  Joe Pavelski would try to continue the Sharks scoring with his goal late in the third period but the rest of the team was unable to capitalize on the late momentum.

Their first home stand loss is not a huge red flag for the Sharks but when a team as good as them can only score two goals against another top team, there must be some reason for concern.

Till next time, SharkGirl

Jason Demers #60 of the San Jose Sharks and teammate Dan Boyle #22 celebrate after Demers scored against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 15, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Sharks are one of the best teams in the Western Conference but with their second shootout loss and a game where they also blew a two goal lead the Sharks were instead looking like the same team that couldnt go further in the first round of last years playoffs.  The end result was a 4-3 shootout loss that kept the Blackhawks best home record. 

The Blackhawks were the first to score in the first at 4:08 with a goal by Brent Sopel to give his team a 1-0 lead that they would get back during the middle of the second.  Dany Heatley would get the Sharks on the board with his 14th goal of the season that tied him for the lead in the NHL. 

Jason Demers would give the Sharks a 2-1 with his first NHL goal at 1:14 in the second.  Patrick Marleau would follow 45 seconds later with his league-high ninth road trip goal  to give the Sharks a 3-1 lead.  The Sharks looked as though they would be able to come away with the win but Patrick Kane had other ideas with his goal at 7:45 to put his team only one goal behind.  Kane was able to beat Nabokov from the left circle and taking a pass from Toews.  John Madden would be the last one to score in regulation and put give his team the 3-3 tie with a goal at 18:41.  The real test came in overtime with the Blackhawks being the first ones to strike with Brent Seabrook’s first ever shootout goal that was able to get past Nabokov.

The Sharks might not believe this loss is something to worry about but when this is the second straight game in which you blow a two goal lead lets hope Mclellan is a little concerned.

Till next time, SharkGirk

Dallas Stars' Trevor Daley, right, and San Jose Sharks' Dan Boyle (22) fight for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The Sharks were playing like one of the best teams in the NHL against their Pacific Divisions rivals Tuesday night at HP Pavilion, getting a 2-0 lead that looked like it would ensure the Sharks a second straight victory.  But Stars defensemen Stephane
Robidas had other plans scoring the only shootout goal that guaranteed his team a 3-2 shootout victory over the Sharks, preventing them from becoming the first NHL to reach 30 points this season.

The Sharks looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory after they took a substantive lead through the second period and why not, the team had been 10-0-1 with any lead at that point this season.  The Sharks took the lead in the second period on goals by Dany Heatley and Ryan Clowe, just 2:11 apart.  Heatley scored the goal with help from Pavelski, who swept behind the net with the puck and centered it on the stick of Heatly who scored his team-high 12th goal of the season.

Exactly 2:11 later, Ryan Clowe would add another goal to the Sharks lead when his 46-foot wrist shot got through the traffic created by Pavelski and past Turco.  The lead would not last for long as the Sharks got out hustled and out played going into the third period by the Stars who had their own two straight goals this time only separated by only 1:45.  The Stars Jamie Neal would score the first goal that was more of a fluke than anything after it bounced off Sharks
Jason Demers skate and got past Evgeni Nabokov.

Veteran Mike Modona would score the second goal that would tie up the game after he pounced on a loose puck and turned it into his first goal of the season.  The game would end in overtime with neither team scoring and ended up going to a shootout in which the Sharks hoped would go there way.  Evgeni Nabokov would stop Jamie Neal and Jamie Benn before Stephane Robidas
would score the game winning goal and hand the Sharks a loss before starting their road trip in St. Louis.

The Sharks had plenty of chances to score goal with nothing going their way even though the team had 36 shots on goal.  While winning can’t happen every time lets hope the Sharks can get their shots to the hit the back of the net and not the cross bar.

Till next time, SharkGirl

Craig Adams #27 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dan Boyle #22 of the San Jose Sharks battle for the puck during an NHL game on November 7, 2009 at HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California. (Photo by Don Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

Hockey is all about how you perform in the playoffs, with each team never really thinking about the record or points they accumulate during the season.  So when the Sharks dealt a serious 5-0 blow to the defending Stanley Cup Championship Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night at HP Pavilion the players didn’t try and read to much into the win, including Assistant Captain Dan Boyle. “If were ever going to see them again, they’re going  to be a different team,” said Boyle.

The Sharks who were trying to recover after a hard 1-0  shootout loss to last years Stanley Cup finalist the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday did everything right on Saturday night including shutting down the NHL’s best hockey player, Sidney Crosby, who only had three shots for the night.  Saturday nights game saw the return of Joe Pavelski to the Sharks lineup who had previously been out for 15 games due to a broken foot after blocking a shot Oct. 3.  Pavelski took full advantage of his return recording a goal, an assist and providing a screen on another shot.

The Sharks started out fast and in control, maintaining that tempo through out the game and being rewarded with a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period.  Rookie Jamie McGinn started the scoring after his first shot from the faceoff circle went wide and linemate Scott Nichol retrieved the puck and left it behind the net for McGinn, who carried it around the opposite side and beat Pittsburgh’s goalie Marc-Andre Fluery on the short side.  Pavelski would score next, this time on the Sharks power play after Dan Boyle who appeared ready to take a shot at the net but instead found Pavelski in the slot, where he redirected the puck into the net at1 6:04.

The goals didn’t stop there with the Sharks scoring two more goals in the opening 3:31 of the second period and sending the Penguins Fleury to the bench.  Boyle scored the Sharks third goal at 1:41, firing a 28-foot-wrist shot from the right faceoff circle that beat Fleury and prompted the Penguins Coach Dan Blysma to replace him with backup Brent Johnson.   The fourth goal came from newcomer Dany Heatley, who pounced on a blocked shot by netminder Brent Johnson to give the Sharks a 4-0 lead.

Manny Malhotra would end the scoring drive with his power play goal at 9:51 of the third period and seal the Sharks impressive 5-0 win against the Penguins.  With the big win the Sharks got the three of four possible points in the two games and put themselves back in the lead in their division.  The night was also a great one for Nabokov who had 27 saves and earned his second shutout of the season and 49th of his career.

The Sharks are looking like the team Doug Wilson promised at the beginning of the summer but just like hockey players I wont get too excited till I see the San Jose Sharks in the playoffs.

Till next time, SharkGirl

The Detroit Red Wings turned up their defensive intensity this week, giving up only one goal in a mid-week sweep of the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks. The Wings, now riding a three-game win streak, sit at 3rd place in the Central Division with 17 points, just one point behind the division-leading Columbus Blue Jackets. The Chicago Blackhawks sit at 2nd with 17 points also, but the Hawks have 8 wins to the Wings’ 7.

Though 3rd place is definitely not a position Wings fans ever want to see their team in, it’s nice to see the Wings starting to hit their stride. They have given up two goals in their last three games, showing the kind of hustle and grit fans expected right out of the gate this year. The 2009 version of Chris Osgood is worlds better than his 2008 counterpart. Ozzie looks much more focused than he did at any point in the regular season last year. The penalty kill finally looks competent, to put it modestly. Since allowing two power play goals in the first two periods against the Edmonton Oilers, the Wings have killed off the last nine penalties they have taken.

Though the Wings aren’t scoring as many goals, the offense is still getting it together. Their holding possession much better. If Todd Bertuzzi could finish the Wings would have won by about 5 goals last night. They controlled that game, and realistically should not have gone into overtime. Ever since Shawn Horcoff scored to put the Oilers up 5-1, the Wings have outscored their opponents 10-2 (in regulation).

Some thoughts:

Don’t look now, but the Wings have taken 9 of a possible 10 points out of their last 5 games. With a trip to the bottom-dwelling Toronto Maple Leafs looming this weekend, the Wings should extend that streak to 11/12 points.

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 01: Jason Demers #60 of the San Jose Sharks defends the puck against Erik Cole #26 of the Carolina Hurricanes on November 1, 2009 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The San Jose Sharks defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5 to 1. (Photo by Scott Pilling/NHLI via Getty Images)

In the beginning of the season the Sharks were having a bit of a problem racking up the wins and not being able to put together consecutive victories at all, but fast forward to 11 games in the season and the Sharks are a different team having won their fifth consecutive game against the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 Sunday night in Carolina.

The struggling Hurricanes, who havent won in nine games and are off to their worst start (2-8-3) in franchise history were not much competition for the Sharks as Carolina has been outscored 16-4 in their last three games.  The Sharks scoring drive was an impressive one as San Jose got three goals from defensemen in the teams first win in Carolina since Oct. 24, 2000.   Brandon Sutter started the scoring early in the second period and the Hurricanes lone goal when he broke in on the left-wing and wristed a shot past Nabokov’s blocker.  The puck rang off the tight post before ricocheting into the net.  Sutter also scored Carolina’s lone goal in its 6-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyer’s on Saturday.

The rest of the game was all Sharks as they scored five unanswered goals, the first started by Kent Huskins, whose goal early in the second period tied things up 1-1.  Jody Shelly would set up Brad Staubitz exactly 1:55 minutes later for his off-balance wrist shot from the slot.  Douglas Murray added his own goal late in the second period, converting a beautiful pass from behind the net from Joe Thornton.

It was Murray’s second career goal and the first in 109 games.  Marc-Edouard Vlasic added another goal in the third period which came on an odd-man rush and lifted the Sharks to a 4-1 lead by the third period.  All was needed was the finishing touch which was provided by none other than Patrick “Patty” Marleau, who blasted a slap shot past Hurricanes goalie, Cam Ward on the power play and making the final score 5-1.

The Sharks look and play like a new team and this change is not lost on the players who say the team is just playing better hockey.  As a fan and sports writer I could not agree more and finally think the San Jose Sharks are on the right track.

Till next time, SharkGirl

October 30, 2009 HP Pavilion San Jose, California San Jose Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe (29) celebrates after scoring past the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of their NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Ryan Clowe was one of the bright spots for the San Jose Sharks Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings and came up big again when the Sharks hosted the NHL leading point leaders, the Colorado Avalanche Friday night at HP Pavilion  Clowe scored his first goal in 21 games and first one of the season in the Sharks dominate 3-1 win over the Avalanche, along with the winning shootout goal against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Sharks were able to dominate the league’s top team with outstanding goal tending from Evgeni Nabokov who had 24 saves and the high number of shots against Colorado’s Craig Anderson, who faced 43 shots on goal by the Sharks.  The team in teal struck first with Clowe’s first goal of the season late in the second period after he was finally able to get it past Anderson, who had previously sopped 31 shots in the first and second period of the game.

The scoring continued with the Sharks second goal from Dany Heatley, who scored his ninth goal of the season from a redirected pass from Jason Demers early in the third to make it 2-0.  Colorado would come back to within one goal thanks to Matt Duchene’s shorthanded goal in the third period to make it 2-1, but it would not last for long as Sharks rookie Jamie McGinn scored 30 seconds later on a rebound that found the back of Colorado’s net.

The late goal in the third was McGinn’s first goal of the season and helped the Sharks seal the 3-1 win against the (10-2-2) Avalanche, who had won four straight and earned points in their last 10 games.  The big win against a team that had only lost one game in the season so far is a big step forward for the team and is helping the Sharks move forward to become the best team in the NHL again.

The Sharks are on a roll having won their fourth straight game and actually playing games where they are controlling the tempo from start to finish.  The win against the NHL’s top team should bring more confidence to a team that is starting to work out all the kinks.

Till next time, SharkGirl

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 28: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings battles for the puck with Benn Ferriero #78 of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game on October 28, 2007 at HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California.

The game which was the Sharks first since coming back from their long road trip started off pretty much the same with the Kings controlling much of the puck throughout the first period but being unable to put one past Nabi.  The Kings did strike first blood early in the second period after Alexander Frolov’s wraparound goal went past Nav and marked the 10th time in 13 games this season that the Sharks allowed the first goal of the game by the opposing team.  The shots on goal were not much better as the Sharks played catchup to the Kings being outshot 13-5 in the first period and not making very good passes in the process.

The Sharks break through came late in the second with Patrick Marleaus goal at 14:32 to tie the game 1-1.  While both teams would not score another goal, sending the game into overtime, the Sharks were able to out shoot the Kings 30-29 by the end of the game and at least gave themselves some chances to score.  The game would come down to a sixth round shootout, with the Kings again scoring the first goal in the first round thanks to Michal Handzus 21 foot wristshoot, after Patrick Marleau shot was blocked by Jonathan Quick.  The shootout would go to the third round in which Dany Heatley scored the goal that would tie the score up at 1-1, and three before Ryan Clowe scored the goal that would help seal the Sharks win.  Clowe who hasnt had a goal or point this season, after scoring 22 goals last season came through big for the Sharks.  Evgeni Nabokov would be the deciding factor as he was able to stop the 19 foot risk shot by Jarret Stoll to give the Sharks a 2-1 victory, and Nabi 23rd career victory against the Los Angeles Kings.

Till next time, SharkGirl

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 22: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks checks Zenon Konopka #28 into the boards at the St. Pete Times Forum on October 22, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Sharks have always been a team that have had enough talent to bring them oh so close to the elusive Stanley Cup, but in the season that is supposed to bring them the cup itself, the Sharks look like a team that is heading down a big hole that they cant get out of.  The boys in teal found themselves slipping further down that hole after their third loss in a row, the latest being  a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at St.Pete Times Forum. 

This scenario has been the latest one for the Sharks and doesnt seem like it will go away any time soon, with the team having failed to score the first goal for the ninth time in 10 games.  This for a team that traded for potent scorer, Dany Heatley?  Yes, it appears that way.  The Sharks for the third straight game failed to score first, were apsolutly inconsistent and had to try and bite their way back into the game, unfortunately this time it didnt work.  The scoring was started early by Tampa Bay rookie James Wright scoring his first NHL goal 30 seconds in the first period, and with the second goal coming at 15:01 by left-wing Ryan Malone’s deflection shot that whizzed right past Evgeni Nabokov. 

The only San Jose goal came early in the second curtsy of rookie Ryan Vesce after he rebounded a shot that went past netminder Mike Smith, who had a blazing 32 saves in his win.  The Sharks started to play consistently in the second period but the damage had already been done by the Lightning who by the early third period were up 4-1 to seemingly put away the game.  The Sharks would try to come back late in the third period, with Dan Boyles power play goal at 13:41, by the Lightning were already circling their prey for the kill.  The kill came late in the third period when Steven Stamkos scored to make it 5-2, and officially gave no hope to the West Coast Sharks.

Consistency, theres that word again but really that is the one key word that Coach Todd McLellan should pound into every Sharks head this season because without that key ingredient the team that had the most points last season could very well find themselves out of chances.

 Till next time, SharkGirl