The Puck Stops Here : Best Team So Far This Season

KuklasKorner : The Puck Stops Here : Best Team So Far This Season:

Yesterday, I decided that I would write something today about how the San Jose Sharks have been the best team in the NHL so far this season. They made me second guess that decision when they lost 4-2 to the Phoenix Coyotes last night. However, a second look at the standings after the loss only helped to show how well San Jose had been playing. Even with the loss, San Jose sits first in the league with 26 points. San Jose has the best “winning percentage” of .813 (in their case it is a true winning percentage as they have no regulation ties that became losses). San Jose has the best team +/- as they score 0.87 more goals per game than they allow (Montreal is second at 0.75).

No reason to second guess. Fifth game in 8 nights, 3rd game in four nights, and the 2nd game in back-to-backs where the Sharks had to travel after Saturday’s game in San Jose for Sunday’s 5PM game in Phoenix. They were tired, and it shows.

I don’t plan on complaining about the schedule, either, because two games in that sequence the other team was on the 2nd of back to backs and had to travel, so the Sharks benefitted from those. It all evens out.

And honestly, I’m much happier when a team loses once in a while, especially a team that isn’t going to bite the Sharks in the standings. It limits the lazy habits and complacency that can show up when a team starts thinking winning is “easy”. a little reality check here and there does wonders.

But last night, it mostly seemed to be a tired team with tired legs against a team really motivated to take them on. More power to the Coyotes, no real issue with the Sharks. One loss just isn’t a big deal.

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