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Sharks Gameday: That Other Original Six Team

New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks

Let's all take a good, deep breath here. That "contest" back on Thursday night? In the history books, lesson learned, let's move forward.

Right?

Well, let's hope so. Because even though the Rangers are still smarting from being the other guy in the Mats Sundin love triangle, they're still a pretty good team. Pretty good, as in alternating between a Cup contender and a team that wins 1-0 games thanks to Henrik Lundqvist.

So where does that leave us today? (That is, besides in search of another pizza.) Let's look at the big picture.

Star-divide

-Evgeni Nabokov has to bounce back from a pretty awful game. Long, clear shots from the point? Yeah, Nabby, you might want to try stopping those.

-There's no word as to whether or not Milan Michalek will be in the lineup yet, but look for stronger games from Jonathan Cheechoo and Joe Pavelski. Not just because the whole team should be better from the Motor City Disaster, but a few more days should help Cheech and Pavs get a little more of their usual strength and agility into their "upper bodies" and "ding-ups."

-The defense has to be better. I mean, it can't be much worse, right? Hey, at least we can't blame the whole thing on Alexei Semenov.

-Other than the first ten minutes, the forwards lacked any forecheck against Detroit. This shows two things -- yes, the Sharks can be stupid and frustrated even in the Mighty McLellan System AND the Sharks can be shut down if the opposing team plays a suitably smart defense.

All right, so that's all the doom and gloom talk here. This is the first real big adversity test -- all due respect to Sleek and his Ducks, the 4-0 Anaheim loss was early in the season before the Sharks became the consensus pick for Greatest Team Since Time Began. Now the pressure's on to put up or shut up, and why not do it in another high-profile matchup against a tough Eastern team?

From a tactical standpoint, we saw McLellan mix things up for pretty much the first time all season when the Sharks tried to get anything going. Do you change things up from the usual suspects against the Rangers? I would do it, and not just because I'm being reactionary.

McLellan talks about process, and in the playoffs, you're going to have teams that figure out your system and your line combinations, even if it's just for one night. How do you react? Do you stick with things or do you mix it up a little bit? I'm for mixing it up because you need to be flexible and adaptable to win a playoff series. Mixing things up also keeps players on their toes and lets them know that the status quo won't be acceptable after a poor loss.

With that in mind, I'd separate Thornton and Marleau to start the game. It's not a Ron Wilson-esque Screw You to either guy, it's just seeing if a different look will work -- because if it does, that's all the more weapons in McLellan's arsenal later on down the line.

Assuming Milan Michalek is playing, I'd revert back to the Thornton/Cheechoo/Michalek group for the top line and Pavelski/Marleau/Setoguchi for the second line. See how it goes and give it a period to see if these different looks can establish a solid forecheck and create scoring chances. It's always good to have options, and all of these guys have played together in some form over the past few seasons, so it shouldn't be too difficult getting in a groove.

And if it is a total disaster? Then just go back to what's worked before Thursday night.

 

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More from Battle of California

Sharks Gameday: MVPP Update

Dec 2008 by Mike Chen - 1 comment

Comments

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I think you just made a challenge

“Hey, at least we can’t blame the whole thing on Alexei Semenov.”

Watch the Sharks fans over on HFBoards find a way to do it. Those folks really don’t like him (well, more so than the typical Sharks fan).

Bay Area born and bred.

by Nael M. on Dec 20, 2008 11:59 AM PST reply actions  

…all due respect to Sleek and his Ducks, the 4-0 Anaheim loss was early in the season before the Sharks became the consensus pick for Greatest Team Since Time Began.

No worries, see my last post. I’m throwing away the Ducks’ first six games of the year, of which the only victory was that 4-0 Sharkfest. Can’t be selectively inclusive on that one, no matter how bad the temptation is.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 20, 2008 12:56 PM PST reply actions  

the Sharks became the consensus pick for Greatest Team Since Time Began

Sorry, that title will probably forever be held by the 1929 Boston Bruins, who were on pace for 143.5 points that season, but only played 44 games. I don’t think even this year’s Sharks have a chance in hell of doing that.

by brokenyard on Dec 20, 2008 2:09 PM PST reply actions  

The Sharks can match that if they win the next 11 games, giving them 77 points and 44 games played. That works out to be exactly a 143.5 pace for points on the season (37-4-3, equaling the points of the Bruins’ 38-5-1).

However, the season in 1929-1930 only consisted of 44 games, making it impossible for a team at any point to be on pace for any more than 88 points. I think what you meant to say is that if the ‘29-’30 Bruins had been playing an 82-game season, they would have been on track for 143.5 points after 44 games.

by senor_k on Dec 21, 2008 12:22 AM PST up reply actions  

The Sharks...

…were not an easy team to play against in their inaugural year. Bang-up job by Kingston and the gang.

The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Dec 20, 2008 6:40 PM PST reply actions  

Well, the Rangers didn’t get the win to complete that rare CA sweep, but still, it’s tough to argue that it wasn’t a big win for paid pizza.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 20, 2008 11:11 PM PST reply actions  

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