43 Points In 25 Games
San Jose Sharks – News: 43 Points In 25 Games – 12/03/2008:
Behind a brilliant four-point first period from Joe Thornton, San Jose exploded to a 4-0 lead on the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, defeated their old coach, and most importantly, posted their 43rd point in 25 games, tying the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens for the best start in NHL history. The victory was the Sharks eighth in a row.
Fun game last night. The Sharks basically spanked the Leafs early and put it in autopilot. The two goals came about mostly because the Sharks mentally went and took their showers early. It really was man vs. boy for a lot of the game. At times in the past, the Sharks have struggled with managing leads, last night, they very much played a “red wings” style run out the clock game.
That was kinda my point in my posting last night. The Leafs scored mostly because the Sharks didn’t really care if they did, and the few Leafs fans willing to stick around to the end (most left, the first large chunk in the 2nd period, along with the first wave of Sharks fans) really shouldn’t have seen that as a “YEAH! LEAFS RULE!” moment.
Still, a fun game. Just not really ever close. Toskala had the yips early, and that pretty much set up the show for the night.
Now, having said that…
Lots of fans and media pundits have looked at the Sharks and said “hey, it only matters what they do in the playoffs”. They’re right — and I’ve said that to some degree as well.
If you use that as an excuse to not pay attention to the Sharks during the regular season, you’re missing one hell of a hockey team. This team is rolling. In case people haven’t noticed, Joe Thornton’s on a 2 point a game pace the last 7 or 8 games (and last night? A goal and three assists. yawn. Another night in the office). This team is impressive as hell, and really making notable waves, even for a team who’s the definition of “the regular season doesn’t matter”.
It may not matter, but the Sharks are making it matter by playing this well. If you are waiting for the playoffs to watch them, you’re going to miss a lot of really good hockey….
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I think Ron Wilson is welcome to visit here any time.
There were long stretches, even in the second and third period when the game had long since been decided, that the Sharks just completely controlled play in the Toronto zone. Several times it looked exactly like a power play with multiple shifts taking place almost entirely on their side of the red line. They were just dominant when they weren’t bored.
It is true that it doesn’t matter unless they win in the playoffs, but some points to ponder on just how good they’ve been:
(1) If the Sharks play .500 hockey the rest of the season they will finish with 100 points.
(2) dating back to last season, the Sharks are 39-5-3 in their last 47 regular season games. This of course is part of why the playoffs are all that matters, but it’s still pretty impressive.
(3) The Sharks are currently on pace for 141 points and 68 wins (which would shatter the NHL records of 132 and 62). If the Sharks fall 10 games off of their current pace, they’d still finish with 121 points and 58 wins.
Again it only matters if they win in the playoffs, but it does give you an idea of how dominant they’ve been.
My husband keeps commenting on though the team is doing great, it’s the amount of free pizzas he’s getting that impresses him
I tried watching the Sharks last night, but it’s really tough to watch a game that’s over in the first period.
I guess that’s my complaint. Nothing against great hockey, but it’s tough to watch a 20-minute hockey game for the full 60.
BTW, Likewise if you are up here and can bear stepping down a tier or two. We can catch a Silvertips game in Everett (much better place to watch hockey than Seattle!)
I’ll gladly buy the tickets!
–chuck
I’m a hockey fan, not a fan of any particular team (though by default I like to cheer for the Canucks due to proximity)… so Hockey for me is fun at *any* point in the season.
If you have a spare ticket for a game a few weeks out let me know and I might cash in some miles for a flight down. It would be fun to catch a game together.
You know how to find me. =)
–chuck