After the Sharks sterling 4-0 start to
the season, they have since gone 4-8-1, meaning theyve won a bit less
than one-third of their games after those first four. They are spiraling on a
clear trajectory toward a third consecutive season out of the playoffs.
Its a shame. There have been some brilliant games, particularly
the past two Tuesday games, in Minnesota and Calgary. But these have been
followed by multiple losses, including Saturdays 4-0 snoozefest against
Washington. It wasnt like Caps goalie Ilya Samsonov was standing on his
head in goal the Sharks just couldnt score. (Samsonov wasnt
even named one of the games three stars.)
I guess we had an omen
of what was to come when the first shot of the night on Sharks goalie Adin Hill
went right in the net. At least we all got to see one of the all-time greats,
Alex Ovechkin, tally up some goals. (Unfortunately, he does not play for the
Sharks, although he supposed rooted for the Sharks as a kid.)
The
Sharks had us fooled with the 4-0 start it didnt last. And now,
were settling in with a team that struggles to score and, maybe its
just me, but it seems like the Sharks are usually on the short end of puck
possession time. It doesnt get any easier for the Sharks, with 14-2
Carolina coming in on Monday.
Good luck with that one. Moving forward, perhaps
help is on the way with Evander Kanes suspension sent to end on November
30 against the Devils a game Im unlikely to see because its
been shifted to ESPN+, or as I like to call it, ESPN Minus, a service to which
I dont plan to subscribe. Another player who could be helping us now,
William Eklund, was sent back to Sweden. That maneuver is starting to look like
a real bonehead move.
With the Sharks struggling at the box office as
well as in the standings, it would have been nice to have both Kane and Eklund
on the team. But Eklund is gone for the season and we dont know
whats going to transpire with Kane, giving the drama surrounding his
situation. Were going to need players like Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture and
Timo Meier to step up their play a few additional notches. Or well have
nothing to look forward to again but perhaps another draft lottery pick.
Contact Paul at at
paulkrill@letsgosharks.com