DOH 289 – Wins, the Sharks Will Take ‘Em
December 4th, 2014, 1:23 pm
The Sharks lose to Calgary, but are on a two game win streak after Anaheim and Philadelphia- the first time they’ve won two in a row in regulation since the first two games of the season. Mike and Doug talk about what to be optimistic and pessimistic about.
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Great podcast, as usual dudes.
I continue to be confused as to why Niemi is starting the majority of games. He’s not playing well, and it would be smarter to see what Stalock and Grosenick can do. If I was a GM, I sure wouldn’t give up a 2nd for him.
Feel guilty, but I have to admit I’m bored with this team. Even if they turn it around and make the playoffs, it’s just going to be the same scenario we’ve seen the last 3 years running, where the Sharks are a dismal 1-3 in playoff series. They would bounce in the first or second round, and we’ll be in exactly the same position as we’ve been for the last several years. Tired of this movie. Time for Niemi, Thornton, Marleau, and McClellan to go, whatever it takes. As Doug said a few weeks back, that doesn’t mean they’re bad players/coaches. It’s just a recognition that the window has shut on this core as a cup contender. Would be much easier to root for a losing team of prospects building towards the future.
I can only think of two reasons why Neemo keeps getting the starts:
1) Tmac and DW really do think he’s the answer.
2) Thay are shopping him and think having him ride the bench lowers his trade value.
I really hope it’s #2.
[…] A look at the Sharks as of late, including the recent upswing of sorts [Dudes On Hockey (podcast)] […]
Obviously Doug isn’t a big fan of analytics, and Mike seems to be less impressed with them now. But there has been nothing better at a) predicting who makes the playoffs, and b) predicting who will be successful in the playoffs. IMO, the Sharks leave 8-10 points on the table every season and then 1-2 wins in the playoffs every year due to DW and TMac clinging to old school beliefs in roster construction. Every year, being the 3 seed instead of the 2 seed because of Mike Brown, every year, losing in 7 instead of winning in 7 because of Nic Wallin.
I’m over the crap fest on the guys who are breaking their backs for this team. Before running Marleau, Thornton and whoever out of town, how about a third line of Ray Whitney – Chris Tierney – Matt Nieto? How about a 4th line of Jussi Jokinen – James Sheppard – Nikolay Goldobin? Oh, those aren’t “bottom 6” guys? Just like Mike Richards and Brandon Saad, Stanley Cup Champions, right? I’m over the Mike Griers, the Travis Moens, the Frazer McLarens, and definitely the Mike Browns and John Scotts. Let’s make a change actually worth believing in… Tierney 2014!
Sorry if I gave the impression that I’m less impressed with analytics, that’s far from the truth. I’m merely amused by “traditional” (whatever that means) hockey minds and watchers being dismissive of numbers that seem to accurately show and predict the best teams consistently. If anything, I buy in more to Fenwick and other like numbers than I ever have.
That being said, it’s really hard to make any kind of argument for Tierney if you are a Corsi/Fenwick fan. His posessiosn numbers are the worst on the team other than 4th line whipping boys. Of course, the sample size is small.
True about Tierney’s possession numbers, I was probably being a little dramatic at the end there!
But even his poor possession numbers in a small sample size are better than the 4th line whipping boys. So why not play him at 4C instead of Desi? Goldobin instead of Scott (decision that could have been made at start of the season)? If you truly are stuck with Patty and Jumbo for another 2 years, why do the same thing over and over with your other parts of your roster? The same grinding bottom six with maybe 1 or 2 skill guys that get benched in the playoffs, the same old slow and immobile bottom d pair. That makes no sense… let alone not being supportable by analytics.
Hmm.. The sharks players doesn’t seem to have gotten that many votes to the all star game.
Pavelski (currently 5th in the league in goals scored) is ranked 141 in the votes.
You can vote a total 10 times a day, and if we get together, we might get them to get some more votes than they currently have.
http://allstarvote.nhl.com
Been listening to this podcast for awhile now must say. Keep up the good work. As for the sharks I have no lofty expectations it makes to alot easier for me, not to say I wouldn’t love a cup in the bay area. Also wanted to know what you guys thought of Dillon so far in these games. Lastly my only qualm with the podcast is the constant talk of the spurs. Go Sharks! Go GOONERS!