Notes #42: Reimer Pulled, Lightning Strike Down Sharks 7-1

The San Jose Sharks welcome in defending champs Tampa Bay Lightning to SAP Center. It was some welcome mat too, as the Sharks fell down 4-0 in the opening 12:32. James Reimer got pulled then, but the Sharks didn’t have answers, as they lost 7-1. Jaycob Megna scored for the Sharks, who start their death gauntlet before their February break — Tampa Bay tonight, Washington, Florida, Carolina, and Tampa Bay — with a quick death. Hope they got more quarters by Wednesday in Washington.

Period One

One in: Good shift by Nieto, crafty breakout to Vlasic, then helped out Simek and MEV down low. However, Sharks just defending right now.

Colton goal: Those are the bounces you get when other team is on their heels to whole time. Sharks need to keep their head in the game.

Stamkos goal: Feels like Sharks are respecting Lightning too much. Anyway, Reimer looking one way, Stamkos picks corner other way as he’s screened. Tampa Bay net front critical there.

Joseph goal: Burns gets burned by Stamkos — looks like Burns is too high defending on the stretch pass. Sharks want Burns to play aggressive there, but obviously, he has to manage so not to get smoked. Bad hockey from Burns. This was after the most alive shifts from the Sharks, Weatherby line had some good grindwork, Hertl had a great tip chance from Meier.

Burns and Cirelli go after each other, but the San Jose Sharks need more than fake fisticuffs to get back into this game.

How does nobody pick up Perry in front at any point? Sharks just puck-watching right now.

The Lightning have benefitted from two lucky bounces, but they've also owned the puck in Sharks zone, TBL 12-2 shots at time of goaltending change. This is definitely an example of making your own luck

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022

Right as Gould wins it, Sharks score

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022

Three left: Soft casual breakout by Gregor to Couture, easily swallowed up by Lightning. He’s got to be better.

Eye test was clear on this, but Lightning 8-2 Slot Shots on Net in the 1st

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022

Period Two

Opening shift, San Jose Sharks everywhere, puck gets behind Elliott, but he’s able to cover up. Gregor with good energy, though he whiffed on a shot in slot that will draw derision. Did recover puck though, that’s most important thing.

Three in: Dahlen still needs that extra half-step. Small play, but coming up NZ, he wants to change, pressured, he puts it in a spot ahead where Cpogliano has no chance. With a little bit more of a step, I think he can make a better touch of the puck, at least put it in it in a 50-50 area.

Bad Merkley pinch leads to two-on-one. Merkley does recover, but Weatherby , who just jumped on, can’t catch up to trailer Point. That’s going to be a teaching moment for Merkley — that’s not a puck to chase. Big part of his job is learning when to pinch, when not to.

Some deserved boos coming out from SAP Center crowd on this Sharks PP

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022

Sam Liccardo is not popular in here: He's getting booed harder than #SJSharks power play, which is an achievement

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022

While I never saw a replay of Timo actually kicking the puck in, he took a good three kicks at it, so no-goal is not surprising

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022

Period Three

Looks like half the arena took their shirsey and left — can’t blame them.

Ten in: Looks like Merkley watching this power play, Ferraro takes his place. Was near the end of it, so could be a defensive thing. I mean, for what that’s worth in a 7-1 game, but usually, the safer d-man will jump on at the end of a PP.

Viel is playing up with Couture — or is Couture down? Regardless, a commentary on the San Jose Sharks tonight.

The Lightning and the Packers with the same number of touchdowns today

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2022