San Jose Drops the Ball

[chrisdetroit 189]

Ahhh they let in 2 goals. 1 empty net (big wooop). The Wings had 6 goals go on their goals against (no idea why the SO goal counts against your GA, but that's what NHL has on their site).

Your team lets in 2 goals- playoff loss, possibly playoff win.

Your team lets in 5 goals- you're the Avalanche playing against the 07-08 Wings.

Not a legitament comparison. You could pick any one game that any team played and make the analogy that if they play like that in the playoffs, they will lose.

The Sharkies are not playing well right now. They have lost 5 of the last 6 and have been outscored 21-13. They've given up 3.5 Goals per game and only scored 2.2.

Nabokov has missed all 5 which might explain the 3.5 because the backup goalie rarely ever plays but they have forgotten how to score.

Nabokov is supposed to be back tonight against the Kings.

And SO goals do not count against your GAA but OT goals do. The Wings have allowed 202 goals this year

[chrisdetroit 189]

Fine, I never heard "choke" being referred to a team who loses when favored to win. I've always heard it as an upset.

Look up "choke" in the NHL dictionary and you will find team pictures of the 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 San Jose Sharks. There will be a blank spot for a picture of the 2008-2009 San Jose Sharks which will be added after round 2 of the playoffs.

This is a tradition after round 2 every year.

[cprice12 117]

Well if you want to look at it that way. Otherwise I could say....

The Sharks were leading the west and the league for the most part this season.

The Blues were around the bottom for the most part this season.

That being said, most people would expect a top tier team to beat one that's been on a lower one for the better part of the season.

If you look at it from everyone else's perspective, that's how it would be. Not everybody pays attention to the Blues and how awesome they've been as of lately or how great they've played against the Sharks this season.

Sorry but not everybody follows your blues. Maybe the Sharks didn't choke to the eyes of Blues fans, but for a team that's in the top 3 of the league right now to only score 1 goal and lose against a team that no one would've expected to have a shot at the playoffs let's say a couple months ago and are currrently in 11th spot of the West, then yes they did kind of choke.

The Blues are decent, I think it's a bit far fetched to say they're the 'hottest' team in the NHL right now.

I could say the Canucks, Blue Jackets and Devils have been just as good in the past 10 games

Edit : Oh yeah, also our beloved Pens!

I'm not sure what you want me to say.

Going into the San Jose game, the Blues had the best record in the NHL since January 15th.

Call them the hottest eam or one of the hottest teams (except when they play Detroit of course.)...or however you want to phrase it...but they're playing f'ing good hockey and outplayed the Sharks and have beaten them three out of four times now.

And it's not my problem that people might not be following the Blues. If that's the case, then they shouldn't take offense when someone corrects them when they make an innaccurate statement concerning something they obviously know nothing about. That's what people get for making assumptions based on box scores.

If the Blues were sitting in 15th place and not playing well, then sure...it would be logical to assume the Sharks choked if you just looked at the final score. But let's get real here...hockey fans should know if a team has been playing well for the last two months. That's a long time. Most hockey fans, in the West anyway, know the Blues are paying much better hockey. Not everyone lives in the Red Wing hockey bubble while wearing blinders...thank God.

The Blues are tearing it up against the rest of the league....they just need to learn how to beat Detroit. (I say that and now watch them lose today at home vs. Minnesotta in a huge game.)

*** And....ahem...For those of you not paying attention to the bottom portion of the conference playoff race (and based on what Namingway said, there are apparently plenty of you that qualify )...a win today puts the Blues one point out of 8th place. For those not paying attention...you should...it's extremely close. A lot of teams battling for the last couple spots.

[cprice12 117]

Fine, I never heard "choke" being referred to a team who loses when favored to win. I've always heard it as an upset.

Choking would be falling down on a breakaway to win the game, or whiffing on an empty net. Choking is a "gimme" situation that someone fails to follow through on.

An example that you guys can relate to... Blues goalie Jon Casey "choked" and failed to stop Yzerman's blue line slapshot in double overtime of game seven.

[Guest Shoreline]

I'm not sure what you want me to say.

Going into the San Jose game, the Blues had the best record in the NHL since January 15th.

Call them the hottest eam or one of the hottest teams (except when they play Detroit of course.)...or however you want to phrase it...but they're playing f'ing good hockey and outplayed the Sharks and have beaten them three out of four times now.

And it's not my problem that people might not be following the Blues. If that's the case, then they shouldn't take offense when someone corrects them when they make an innaccurate statement concerning something they obviously know nothing about. That's what people get for making assumptions based on box scores.

If the Blues were sitting in 15th place and not playing well, then sure...it would be logical to assume the Sharks choked if you just looked at the final score. But let's get real here...hockey fans should know if a team has been playing well for the last two months. That's a long time. Most hockey fans, in the West anyway, know the Blues are paying much better hockey. Not everyone lives in the Red Wing hockey bubble while wearing blinders...thank God.

The Blues are tearing it up against the rest of the league....they just need to learn how to beat Detroit. (I say that and now watch them lose today at home vs. Minnesotta in a huge game.)

*** And....ahem...For those of you not paying attention to the bottom portion of the conference playoff race (and based on what Namingway said, there are apparently plenty of you that qualify )...a win today puts the Blues one point out of 8th place. For those not paying attention...you should...it's extremely close. A lot of teams battling for the last couple spots.

A team on a hot streak doesn't matter when one of the league's best OVERALL teams plays another that is fighting just to make the playoffs. A team that is where the Sharks are in the standings means they've played good hockey from the very start, not since half way through the season like the Blues, so yes, the Sharks losing to a worse team is choking -- even the best teams in the league sometimes have losing streaks against much worse ones, which doesn't mean anything. You're simply giving your team way too much undeserved credit.

[MaynardJKeenan 1]

A team on a hot streak doesn't matter when one of the league's best OVERALL teams plays another that is fighting just to make the playoffs. A team that is where the Sharks are in the standings means they've played good hockey from the very start, not since half way through the season like the Blues, so yes, the Sharks losing to a worse team is choking -- even the best teams in the league sometimes have losing streaks against much worse ones, which doesn't mean anything. You're simply giving your team way too much undeserved credit.

Agreed. 90% of the teams that lose to the blues would be considered chokers. They aren't terrible, but not far from it either. One of the reasons a team like that can get on a roll is how bad they have been all year and teams take them lightly.

[alowicious 0]

... Not everyone lives in the Red Wing hockey bubble while wearing blinders...thank God.

Oooo There's a Red Wing Hockey Bubble? I want one!

But I do agree, if a team is on a tear and another team loses to that team, how is that a choke?

[Shockwave180 0]

Ha. It's always great when CPrice gets lured out of hibernation to defend the Blues. And this time, I actually agree with him. San Jose didn't play that badly against St. Louis; the Blues just beat them. They're are playing very well. I'm pulling for them to make the playoffs and set up a first-round matchup with us.

[cprice12 117]

A team on a hot streak doesn't matter when one of the league's best OVERALL teams plays another that is fighting just to make the playoffs. A team that is where the Sharks are in the standings means they've played good hockey from the very start, not since half way through the season like the Blues, so yes, the Sharks losing to a worse team is choking -- even the best teams in the league sometimes have losing streaks against much worse ones, which doesn't mean anything. You're simply giving your team way too much undeserved credit.

You have a messed up definition of the word, "choke".

First off, the Blues were at home...AND...they were playing good hockey over the last 30 games (and yeah, better than San Jose)...and second, the Sharks had cooled off some as they had just lost 5 of 6 coming into that game.

Hardly a situation where the Sharks were "supposed" to win. I guess the Sharks choked in three of the four games vs. the Blues then?

The entire foundation of your argument is based on the team's records...and that's it? Wow.

Pfft...I don't know why I bother.

You don't pay attention to the Blues...you didn't watch the game...so you have no idea who did or didn't choke.

[cprice12 117]

Ha. It's always great when CPrice gets lured out of hibernation to defend the Blues. And this time, I actually agree with him. San Jose didn't play that badly against St. Louis; the Blues just beat them. They're are playing very well. I'm pulling for them to make the playoffs and set up a first-round matchup with us.

Hey...look there...someone who follows more than just the daily NHL standings in the local paper.

At least someone gets it.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Hey...look there...someone who follows more than just the daily NHL standings in the local paper.

At least someone gets it.

I'm with you too, believe it or not (two Red Wings fan sticking up for a Blues fan.. what's the world coming to?)

I started GMing a Blues fantasy team right after the All-Star break and watched a lot of their games to familiarize myself more with their players. Some impressive young talent coming up for sure.

[Guest Shoreline]

You have a messed up definition of the word, "choke".

First off, the Blues were at home...AND...they were playing good hockey over the last 30 games (and yeah, better than San Jose)...and second, the Sharks had cooled off some as they had just lost 5 of 6 coming into that game.

Hardly a situation where the Sharks were "supposed" to win. I guess the Sharks choked in three of the four games vs. the Blues then?

The entire foundation of your argument is based on the team's records...and that's it? Wow.

Pfft...I don't know why I bother.

You don't pay attention to the Blues...you didn't watch the game...so you have no idea who did or didn't choke.

Hah, the foundation of my argument is based on the consistency of the Sharks team winning throughout the season (happens to be backed up by the standings as teams tend not to make the playoffs this early without consistency), which is why they are battling for the President's trophy despite their cold streak. All while your "30 games" statistic (funny how you criticize me for using them), which means jack s***, overrates the Johnny-come-lately-to-the-playoff-picture Blues, who still sit currently in 10th place and get to play 10 of their last 13 games against teams currently holding a playoff spot, so we'll see how good that team really is. The Sharks have shown enough consistency to still beat good teams even without Nabokov, and the Sharks (who's games I do watch with friends who are Sharks fans since they are the local team, i.e. I did see the game) were still expected to beat the Blues, and simply continued a cold streak, which happens to every good team. Once again, you seriously overrate Blues (even though they are getting better somewhat), because you're a Blues fan. Not surprising. While you're up in the clouds about their recent hot streak, don't forget the bigger streak..

[Inultus 12]

they're playing f'ing good hockey and outplayed the Sharks and have beaten them three out of four times now.

I would hardly say the Blues outplayed them. The one thing they did better on was the PK. SOG and saves were almost the same. The first goal was a San Jose giveaway, and the second one they were helped out by the fact that one of San Jose's players fell down running into the ref.

The 3rd was an empty netter for those who haven't seen it.

So, it was essentially a 1 goal game, without Nabokov in net. With him in net I honestly see it being a tie after regulation.

Now I'm not dogging the Blues, I actually do follow them as a friend on my hockey team is from St. Louis. But, keep it realistic man, they didn't outplay the Sharks, although I'm glad that they beat San Jose regardless.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I think it was appropriate to bump this considering San Jose got behind the 8-ball early last night, made a feverish comeback, and blew it with 30 seconds left in the game.

They'll have to win both of their games in hand to retain the lead, now.

[Guest Crymson]

I think it was appropriate to bump this considering San Jose got behind the 8-ball early last night, made a feverish comeback, and blew it with 30 seconds left in the game.

They'll have to win both of their games in hand to retain the lead, now.

I think our team is pretty darned good.

[mjlegend 155]

The Sharks don't have anybody in their top three lines missing and they still can't beat Phoenix.

I'm not nearly as afraid of this team as I was two months ago.

Their injury list features 8-minute wonders like Tomas Plihal, Claude LePuke, Jeremy Roenick and Kent Huskins. Mike Grier is also out.

The loss of top line Holmstrom and third line Filppula should have a much greater effect than the Sharks missing those clowns.

Yahoo! Sports 10 hours, 48 minutes ago

Inside Shots

The Sharks aren’t allowing injuries to be an excuse, but it’s clear the team is not playing as well now with a patchwork lineup as it was earlier in the season.

“Our guys aren’t any more tired than Detroit, Calgary, St. Louis, Minnesota or any other team we’ve played,” Sharks coach Todd McLellan told the San Jose Mercury News. “Everybody has injuries. Everybody has scheduling quirks. Nobody is going to stop and say, ‘We’re going to let you rest up, San Jose.’”

The other mystery is the team’s sudden inability to generate offense. It certainly could be connected to the injuries, but it seems to have affected even the best of the Sharks’ offensive weapons.

“We’d like the scoring to go up,” McLellan told the paper. “But to think that we’re going to get 50 shots a night, that’s just unrealistic. The checking is tighter now.

“And goalies are just like baseball pitchers in September and October. That’s when pitchers throw more strikes. This is when goalies don’t give up rebounds.”

Coyotes 4, Sharks 3: Shane Doan scored a power-play goal with 26.9 seconds left in the game—and just six seconds into Jonathan Cheechoo’s interference penalty—to frustrate the visiting Sharks, who battled back from an early 3-0 deficit Tuesday night only to come away without a point.

Joe Thornton scored two goals and assisted Patrick Marleau’s career-high 36th, but Doan capped his four-point night with his only goal of the night. Sharks starting goalie Evgeni Nabokov was lifted to start the second period after allowing three goals on 12 shots in the first.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I'm still worried about them, should we meet in the playoffs. But hopefully we can retain the top spot and just wait for the winner of a physically demanding Calgary-San Jose 7 game series and pick off the winner.

Not to take away anything from the other teams, but a cup run that could feature any of the Central scratching for a playoff spot, followed potentially by the Flames, followed potentially by the Sharks, followed by the East Con. Champs sounds like the most difficult possible path to the cup.

[Guest Shoreline]

We also may be seeing the Sharks take their foot off the pedal as the playoffs near, if they really are giving up the #1 spot and Pres. trophy, since they already clinched their division. There's not much more to try for in the season and Calgary ain't gonna catch them. I wouldn't be surprised if they start resting their big lines. If they don't, and are still losing, then something is definitely wrong with that team.

[Guest mindfly]

Come on, one more regulation loss and the presidents trophy is all in red wings hands!

[mjlegend 155]

We also may be seeing the Sharks take their foot off the pedal as the playoffs near, if they really are giving up the #1 spot and Pres. trophy, since they already clinched their division. There's not much more to try for in the season and Calgary ain't gonna catch them. I wouldn't be surprised if they start resting their big lines. If they don't, and are still losing, then something is definitely wrong with that team.

If you don't think the Sharks want home ice for the entire playoffs, you're mistaken. MacLellan has never struck me as the type to pull back the reins, expecially a few weeks before playoffs with home ice on the line.

They clinched first in the division last night. We'll see if they're just happy with second or third place soon.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

San Jose already clinched their division. Because their division is a joke this year. Let them beat up on weak teams while we play the Central (arguably the best division this year). They still scare me, but not as much as they used to.

[SDavis35 140]

The Sharks don't have anybody in their top three lines missing and they still can't beat Phoenix.

I'm not nearly as afraid of this team as I was two months ago.

Their injury list features 8-minute wonders like Tomas Plihal, Claude LePuke, Jeremy Roenick and Kent Huskins. Mike Grier is also out.

The loss of top line Holmstrom and third line Filppula should have a much greater effect than the Sharks missing those clowns.

Lemieux and Roenick are key guys to the Sharks team, they have the experience of A) Having been through these types of stretches before and B) Playoff experience

When it comes down to it, I think Roenick is probably the best guy in their locker room. I've always thought he's got that contagious attitude that drive people to be their best.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I'm sure people weren't too worried about the Wings after we went on our February skid. If anything, this rough stretch makes San Jose an even scarier team faced in the playoffs. Prior to this, it had been smooth sailing. Now they're equipped with a little lesson in adversity.

[Guest Shoreline]

I'm sure people weren't too worried about the Wings after we went on our February skid. If anything, this rough stretch makes San Jose an even scarier team faced in the playoffs. Prior to this, it had been smooth sailing. Now they're equipped with a little lesson in adversity.

They're losing to good and bad teams. It's kinda difficult to actually pinpoint what their problem is, like, if it's a lack of effort, or simply not being on their game, or maybe tired/burned out. Boston went through a really tough stretch of mediocre play and seem to have got their play back on track. I'm just happy the Wings have learned lessons as it could have went the wrong way like years before.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Don't get me wrong. I really like San Jose. They are probably my favorite non-Red Wings team. But I like them even more where they belong...at #2.