Notes #17: Caps Blank Sharks 4-0

Period One

The San Jose Sharks start off on wrong foot: On the Sheary goal, you want Hill to have it. But also: Weatherby on forecheck, I know he’s told to finish check, but puck is right there. That would’ve been a good on-the-fly adjustment. Then, Sheary beats Gadjovich up the ice and Burns is puckwatching. Did Gadjovich let Burns know he needed help? That wouldn’t have hurt. Watching replay, I do see why Burns might have stayed on the passer — Ferraro about to get beat by Sprong. Unacceptable hockey all around.

Six in: Simek loses his check on Hagelin. Boughner wants him to kill plays, not that.

Followed by a rough low to high pass by Barabanov to maybe Dahlen. Hard backhand through a couple Capitals sticks? That’s a buffet for the counterattack.

Eight in: I like the Karlsson regroup to allow San Jose Sharks change, get a more coordinated dump and chase.

Nine left: Rough neutral zone turnover for Gadjovich. Overall, not seeing it with him. His skating almost makes him a one-zone player and I’ve yet to see a lot of pop in the OZ from him.

Hertl nice soft pass ahead to Gregor entering zone — use that speed. Gregor post.

A replay of how Jonathan Dahlen appeared to get injured. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/hj9aNhGER3

— Michael Gutnick (@michaelgutnick) November 21, 2021

Balcers appears to be in Dahlen’s place on the Couture line.

Good that Hill is okay — reckless by Schultz? Maybe contending with Ferraro stick.

Good puck hunger shown by San Jose Sharks on that fruitless four-on-three. But Meier, Burns working hard for that puck. If San Jose playing a little angry, they should be.

Period Two

The San Jose Sharks, in my mind, didn’t actually play that badly in the first. Hill needs to stop that Sheary shot, who can stop that Ovechkin clapper? SPORTLOGiQ has Caps 5-4 Slot Shots, All Situations.

My mistake — and I'm glad — Dahlen is on the bench

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 21, 2021

Gregor has played a simple, direct game — have to think they’re happy with him so far.

Five in: Not a pretty Karlsson sequence, back to back turnovers on breakout.

Six in: Sheary just ambushes Vlasic on forecheck, turnover, Vlasic does come back later in shift to step up on Sprong.

Eight in: Good pin by Simek. Removes Capital, takes puck.

Balcers has taken the place of Dahlen on the top line for now. https://t.co/8V6QSpeapQ

— Michael Gutnick (@michaelgutnick) November 21, 2021

Seven left: Good Vlasic effort to track back on Jonsson-Fjallby after Barabanov turnover up high.

Hagelin penalty: It looked like Ovechkin came over to check on Gadjovich as JG getting up? Interesting.

Big chance for Balcers here — his first regular shift on power play this year, I think

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 21, 2021

Four left: Karlsson does not take an optimal angle skating up against Hathaway on breakout. Haven’t been impressed with his game tonight.

Three left: Telegraphed Hertl pass to Burns on PP. After a valiant Couture keep-in.

Still liked most of what the Sharks did in this period — but no finish. 2-1 WSH Slot Shots for all of second, per SPORTLOGiQ — that tight a game.

Period Three

Really tough luck for Dahlen, particularly tonight: Sweden Olympic head coach and former #SJSharks playoff star Johan Garpenlov is in attendance. Dahlen certainly isn't a favorite for Team Sweden, but I'm sure he wanted to make a good impression

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 21, 2021

Eight in: Meier looked back as Balcers was getting clobbered. Balcers OK. I take it as a sign that Meier was looking out for a teammate.

Missed power plays hurt so much. Such a tight game, you have to come through with all that PP time. Talked to a scout, who simply said this team doesn’t have the horses. We’ve heard that story before.

The anti-Bonino: Ovechkin stays out so long, he’s able to grab his 14th goal on an empty netter. Good times for the ageless wonder.

Small but telling factoid: Per SPORTLOGiQ, Meier led Sharks with 14 Controlled Exits. Hertl was second with nine. He’s a machine in that regard.