Game Recap - 3/19 - StL v SJ
Overall, when the game first started, StL looked significantly better than SJ. They came out and just dominated the first couple of minutes. But when the Sharks got an ugly goal in front of the net, it looked like the wind was taken right out of the sails of the Blues and they could not get their swagger back until 5 minutes left in the 3rd. Unfortunate for a team that I have always felt had so much talent and yet, it never seems to directly translate into victories. A buddy of me asked me about a month ago who I was scared of in the west this year. Honestly, the two teams that scared me the most were LA because they were young and definitely getting better and StL because they have SO much talent at every position (especially after they acquired Shattenkirk and Stewart) and a goalie that can just shut it down in Halak. If only they did not have all those injuries this season. But I come back to the post. End rant.
Players that stood out for me:
Pavelski - This one is obvious but he is really starting to develop some nice chemistry with Mitchell. The speed of Mitchell really complements the playmaking and responsible play of Pavelski. Add in the fact that Pavs is going to the net a lot more and seeming to be getting a little more confidence at the point on the PP and the points start to come. Seriously, there is nothing that he is really doing special right now just shots that were going wide or getting blocked in the past are getting through or are just inside the post for goals.
Mitchell - With the second star last night and a goal and an assist, I was overall VERY impressed with his play last night. He was all over the ice and seemed like any time there was a big play, Mitchell was a part of it. Like I said the other day, it really feels like he is playing his game and dictacting the play instead of just letting the game come to him. Might be a nice short term pickup in deeper leagues but never going to get more than 20G if he ever gets there. Ride the wave while you can.
Boyle - I was really worried that he was seriously hurt when he went down in the 3rd period against Minnesota but he didn't show any ill effects in this game. He was cutting and skating hard the entire game. He did have a couple of shady passes but overall, I am pleased that he is not showing any signs of an injury.
Vlasic - Over the past 5 or so games, Vlasic has looked tremendous. He is playing a sound defensive game and had the vision to pull a puck off the goal line as it was about to go in last night. But more importantly, he is jumping up more and more and doing it with confidence and doing it smartly leading a breakout and opening up to give his team a legitimate place to throw the puck. I had to do a double take more then one time when I saw that yes, that was Pickles driving straight up the center of the ice to lead the break.
Not so good
Couture - You could have heard a pin drop when he went down in the second. It was a sickening feeling. The way that he slid into the boards was ugly to say the least. He was literally carried off the ice. All I have is TV coverage and hear say but what I have heard is that he was not available to the media after the game and no one saw him from the time that he went to the locker room until an hour after the game. There are reports that he did walk to his car and apparently he did post something on twitter last night but since I do not have a twitter account, I cannot verify this. Sorry
White - White came onto the scene and I initially thought that he was not going to be right for the Sharks. But he has shown some good offensive zone ability. Something that this team desperately needs. But his defensive play has been attrocious to say the least. Last night was really no exception. He looked out of position in multiple situations and he has not been jumping in the same way of the offensive zone like I would hope that he would. Maybe I am expecting too much out of him since that is not really his job but I would like to see a little more consistency in the defensive zone. One last note. I did not see him on the PP at all. Not that the Sharks had a lot of PP time because they scored so fast but still
Well folks. That's really all I have right now. As usual, if you have any questions, throw them out there.
8 Team Keeper - Year 3
G,A,+/-,PIM,PPG,PPA,SHP,GWG,SOG,FOW,FOL,BS,W,GS,GA,GAA,SV %,SHO
Start 3C, 3LW, 3RW, 5D, 3Utl, 2G
25 Man Roster, Keep All
C - Getzlaf, Tavares, J.Staal(LW), Duchene, RNH, Crosby
LW - Kovalchuk, Hall, Benn, Hartnell, E.Kane
RW - P.Kane, Seguin, Yakupov, Eberle, OV
D - Keith, E.Johnson, Carlson, Karlsson, Burns
G - Rask, Schneider, Rinne