Place Your Bets: Will the SJ Sharks be the worst (1980 or later) *established NHL team in history?

[pmorrow]

The San Jose Sharks have won a game.

[Dr.Brad]

And the Edmonton Oilers are now just TWO points ahead of them. #quakinginfear

[pmorrow]

Thursday's tilt will be must see TV.

[PenguinHunter]

You are welcome San Jose,

Signed,

Every Flyers Fan.

[Pengwin7]

Last night's game continues to show a LOT about San Jose, though.

In order to get the win, by a single goal:
SJ's goalie had to save 38 of 39 shots against him. 1/39 for PHI = 2.5% shooting.
SJ had 5+ min of PP... to get one goal... which didn't even come 5-on-4... came 4-on-3... on a one-timer from a rookie (which are often, very much, luck)

I know some sources out there track "expected goals"... and I'd have to imagine this game was closer to 4-2 for PHI based on that.


EDIT: Natural Stat Trick has the expected goals (xG) game as PHI 3.19 - SJ 2.68. (at 5-on-5, PHI 2.38 - SJ 1.35)
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/

[Canucks_fan18]

Honestly a lot is being made about the Oilers vs San Jose but I don't think San Jose has a chance. The Oilers are losing to teams that have structure and talent. A game like this vs an opponent like San Jose, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Oilers put up 10 against them.

With that being said, I am most defiantly tuning in because if they do lose this might create a black hole, sucking every last executive the Oilers have into it.

[Pengwin7]

^This said... I'd hate to be the EDM goalie for this game.
Talk about pressure. Damn.

[LawMan]

^This said... I'd hate to be the EDM goalie for this game.
Talk about pressure. Damn.

Agreed.
I EXPECT the Oilers to come out guns a blazing and put up 7 goals. However, the first 5-10 minutes of the game all the Oilers players are going to be gripping their sticks tight, nervous to make the mistake.
The Sharks can play loose, no one expects anything. If the Oilers get 1-2 goals first then the flood gates open. If they do not, and the Sharks goalie makes a few saves then the pressure keeps ramping up.

Of course the best possible timeline is the Sharks claim Campbell off waivers and he has a 55 save shutout. ....

[lucafen4]

The Sharks will NOT be worse than their former selves.

1992-93
11-71-2

[Pengwin7]

I already regret this thread.
Viva los Sharks!

[2014olympicgold]

On pace for 31.5pts!

[Invictus]

Should this thread be about the Oilers now

[2014olympicgold]

Should this thread be about the Oilers now

They're on pace for 34pts lol.

This has been an interesting first 12+ games lol

[2014olympicgold]

On pace for 31.5pts!

In the 15 games since this post the Sharks have gone 7-6-2 (0.533pt%) for 16pts. They are now on pace for 59.4pts.

If the bench mark was 31pts, SJS would need to go in some form of 4-47-1 to be worse.

[Pengwin7]

They've at least put together a formidable first line (Hertl w/Zetterlund + Eklund) and a good PP1 unit. (It's middling production at 19.2% conversion rate).
Eklund is really starting to *pop*.

Of their 9 wins, 7 are by a single goal.
They beat STL 5-1 on Nov.16, despite being outshot 45-35.
They beat NJ 6-3 on Dec.1, despite being outshot 45-17.
They are getting outshot by a count of 36.69 to 26.00 per game... 10 shot deficit per game.


They did - though - have an "expected goals" victory over (Kyle Connor-less, backup-Brossoit) Jets last night by score of 2.98-2.88.
It'll be interesting to see how they do going forward.

For me, they are still a "1.5 wins per 5gp" sort of team.
0.6pts per gp, 6pts/10gp... would be 32pts in 53gp going forward... for a (Dec.13th) P7 predicted landing spot of 53pts.
(they've certainly bested their way out of the possible 31-40pt zone where I saw them earlier in season)
We'll see how close that is.

To their "getting better" - Eklund will continue to improve... Couture will be back at some point.
To their "getting worse" - any vets playing well on expiring contracts will eventually get moved.


Chime in - where do Dobberites see SJ final totals landing?!