Sharks Gameday: George Washington

by Megalodon on Apr 25, 2011 5:00 AM PDT

Kings were rightly terrified of the great George Washington.

Next Game

Monday, Apr 25, 2011, 7:00 PM PDT
STAPLES Center

Derek Zona over at The Copper and Blue continues to do the serious blogging work that I should probably be doing instead of posting cartoons and YouTube videos. He is totally rocking this Sharks-Kings series and has been making detailed charts of the scoring chances after every game.

The scoring chances for game five were heavily in San Jose's favor, 23 to 8. Antti Niemi hasn't looked very strong in this series, and if he had been sharp on Saturday then game six might not have been necessary. That said, Jonathan Quick had his first outstanding game for the Kings in this series, so Niemi wasn't the only problem for the Sharks.

If Niemi plays a bit better tonight and the Sharks are able to replicate their game five domination in terms of shots and scoring chances, things should probably work out in San Jose's favor. I mean, just look at this chart of the Sharks' shots in game five:

Sharks_kings_scorechart

If the Sharks get to do this again tonight, I like their chances just fine.

The big question going in to this game centers on Niemi. Should he start tonight? Sure, let's try that. That's what's going to happen anyway, so let's be positive about it. Niemi is awesome, but hasn't had an amazing game yet for the Sharks in this series. Tonight could be the night. I don't really buy the "he's tired" argument, since he played for basically three months straight without showing much fatigue - why would a fourth month be too much?

Antero Niittymaki is a good goalie too, and has been solid in his relief appearances - but he's not Niemi. The Sharks got in to the playoffs on Niemi's back, and I don't believe he's suddenly unable to take the team any further.

Look at it this way, folks - Jonathan Quick gave up six goals in two straight games and then kicked ass in game five. Now it's Niemi's turn.

Prediction: You're the man, Antti. Sharks win 4-1.

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That shot from center ice would come in handy if Dan Cloutier was still a King.

In Lou We Trust/Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
Then I guess the animals are on their own. Even the cute ones.

by Kevin Sellathamby on Apr 25, 2011 5:07 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs

I really believe the Sharks winning tonight is centered about Niemi’s play. Yes, the D needs to tighten up (especially early) and the power play could get a bit cleaner but Niemi was the one who let in 3 goals (soft goals and bad rebound control) on 4 shots. Time for him to show us why DW signed him for 4 years… In Niemi I trust! Don’t make me look like a fool dammit! I gotta say though, having Niitty in the wings makes me feel 10 times better though.

If the Sharks have a rockin start (which they have not all series) then we win this 4-1 like you said. But I’m guessing it will be a 3-2 Sharks win by the skin of their damn teeth. Either way, Niemi is #1 star of the night.

GO SHARKS!!!!!!

BTW, I for one like the cartoons. (shrugs)

Waiting for the Cup to come to SJ since 1991...

GO SHARKS!

by winthecupsj on Apr 25, 2011 8:17 AM PDT reply actions

3 goals (soft goals and bad rebound control)

The first one was tipped twice, the second was a point-blank shot on a 2-on-1. The third was was a little soft but I don’t think Niemi can be expected to assume that Niclas Wallin is going to turn the puck over. …Well, maybe he should assume that, but it still wasn’t entirely his fault.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Apr 25, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Angy

Blame me for the Sharks last loss. I was once again not near a computer during a Sharks game. I’m never leaving my computer again during a Sharks game.

Adopted Giant: William VanLandingham
I'm on the Twitters
Ssory Doc

by 49er16 on Apr 25, 2011 9:13 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

THATS IT!!!!!!!!

we are finding you and gluing your computer to you.

I'm warning you! I have ADHD and I know how to use it!!!
Good job Giants, now win 3 more world series titles and then you just might be worthy of being mentioned in the same league as the A's.
THAT IS NABOKOV IN NET NOT NITTYMAKISHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!
San Jose: Being Kept save from ferocious enemies by the Sharks and Earthquakes since 91 and 96.

by Diamondback15 on Apr 25, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Nope, the problem was that my lucky sharks shirts can only go 3 games without a washing. (I didn’t wear them for game 2). Fresh out of the laundry for tonight!!

The '05-06, '06-07', and '07-'08 Sharks were not ever good enough to win the Cup. They were just good enough to lose in the 2nd round. That's not choking people!

by OpenWater on Apr 25, 2011 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Doh Ducks.

"There is no gravity son, the world just sucks." - my father.

by tu madre on Apr 25, 2011 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

Sharks should win tonight. That will make the world a better place.

Go Sharks!

I have a Twitter account and I have a blog, but I don't have time to write more than 140 characters at a time.

by stufflife on Apr 25, 2011 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

Statistics, even when informative, are tedious. You are right to leave them for some other schmuck.

by meetyourmako on Apr 25, 2011 10:16 AM PDT reply actions

game 6

Every team has a weakest link in their D-core and Wallin is definitely ours, but we all knew that going into the playoffs. The Sharks are fortunate to be up 3-2 in this series, because they can give Nemo one more start and if he plays like shit then they can pull him and start Nitty in game 7 (if necessary).

Sharks need to be solid defensively tonight and take NO stupid penalties. Hopefully the Kings don’t get off to another amazing start. Big Joe needs to play big and the Sharks need to ACTUALLY park their asses in front of Quick to block his vision and get rebound chances. If the Sharks can get some early goals, then the Kings will have to open things up and the scoring chances should be there all night.

by HaroldRamis on Apr 25, 2011 12:15 PM PDT reply actions