Seven and counting
March 5th, 2008, 11:46 pm
The Tank has been a different place this week. Fans are smiling, the team is playing loose and our newest Sharks have been a home run success. All the signs were there for the old Sharks to come out tonight – the slow start, the deflating 3rd period power play goal by Ottawa, outshooting the Sens and still trailing on the scoreboard. Last month, the Sharks would have lost this game at home. This new team would not allow it to happen. They scrapped, they refused to lose and beat one of the best in the East. This win streak isn’t ordinary, it is something to hang their hats on. Beating Detroit, Pittsburgh, Montreal and Ottawa is no joke. Doug Wilson is seeing his roster come together before his eyes.
The addition of Brian Campbell has overshadowed the fact that Marleau has been revived by playing night after night with The Gooch and Little Joe. Since Campbell joined the team in Columbus, this 2nd line has gathered fourteen points collectively. The effort is exciting and once JR is healthy again (word is he has the flu) he will take Plihal’s spot on the 4th line. When is Ryane clowe coming back? Mike and I were discussing it on the way out of the game and the answer could be….not soon. Why mess with what the Sharks have going to force a talented young player on the ice when he’s not ready. I’d rather see Goc or The Gooch at 100% then Clowe at 60%. It would not be shocking if Clowe didn’t see a ton of action the rest of this season, especially with Shelley watching Joe’s back these days.
This road trip could start rough for us. I’m thinking the Sharks go 2-1, with a loss against the red hot Blackhawks and two wins in Nashville and Minnesota. I have to admit, I don’t see how the Wild are so good. They don’t scare me at all and, from the first two games this year, they don’t match up well against San Jose. We’ll see how this potential playoff matchup turns out on Sunday.
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Great games this week!
Here’s the million dollar question… do you think this team, in the current state, can beat Anaheim and a healthy Detroit? I’m a beleiver!
I love my Big Mac, but he looks like he’s hurting out there. Is Mike’s boy Carle done sitting in the corner with the dunce cap and ready to play like a grown up hockey player?
I’d like to see Clowe take Goc’s spot for a couple of games to see where he’s at. Don’t get me wrong, I love that little German, but I think, besides Plihal, he is the weakest of the forwards.
Grier, I think we have Chicago’s number. They may be hot, but our boys are on a tear. Looking ahead I think our upcoming schedule is primed for many more W’s.
By many reports, the kind of injury Clowe sustained is more tough to rehab mentally than physically. I worry about the message sent and the hit to Clowe’s confidence if we “healthy” scratch him down the stretch and in the playoffs. This guy should be a big piece of the Sharks’ future plans.
To answer my favorite figure-skater’s question, I think the Sharks can win games against both the Ducks and the Wings without it being a shock, but even now I would consider the Sharks an underdog in either series matchup.
That being said, it follows that the Hawks shutting out Anaheim last night is a pretty big statement. I’m just hoping they have a bit of a letdown after that win.
The Hawks shut out the Ducks, yes, but everyone seems to be able to beat the Ducks except us. I don’t think their match last night can be used as a true gauge for Friday.