The San Jose Sharks get suffocated defensively by the LA Kings as they lose 4-1. Start with how all the good vibes built up during the Sharks’ recent road trip are gone, as they have now failed to score an even-strength goal in three straight games. Then, what do the Sharks need to learn from the Kings’ rebuild, and why do the Sharks need to build a roster to compete with theirs. Next, examine the numbers behind the game, how much of a defensive clinic it was by the Kings, and why Kaapo Kahkonen had a great game. Finally, with the season’s midpoint approaching, where is William Eklund’s point production projecting, and how does it compare to Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl, and Logan Couture in their first full season with the Sharks?
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5 Comments
We're back to number 1 in the Slackin' For Macklin odds!
My view at this point in the season is that this year's Sharks team is based on Mike Grier obsessing over the virtue of player commitment to "compete,"
(hard working, diligent duty doers, never give up attitude) at the expense of another more important virtue, hockey IQ or being a smarter player than the opponent. Hockey IQ is really hard to define and assess in young players, but it means a player who thinks faster on the ice than others and can therefore be in a better place or position. All the best players in the NHL have this virtue because it constitutes the edge they maintain over others with roughly equal skills or physical ability. Mike Grier needs to evaluate players more in their knowledge of the game and being smarter than their peers on ice. Injuries are accidental and can only be better managed by medical staff and making sure players don't hurt themselves more with an out of control desire to compete even if you are not physically ready. Talking to players and observation to determine if they anticipate play better on ice and win more battles due to hockey IQ is possible, and other players know which opponents outsmart them on the ice. It is a matter of the GM and scouts talking to players more, not detached contemplation, or a written exam or other short test of wits. Connor Bedard, Connor McDavid, Austin Matthews, Patrick Kane, Nathan MacKinnon, Kopitar, Kucherov and other stars outshine their peers mainly due to superior general understanding of the game and what is possible in the particular on ice situation. Assessing hockey IQ requires wisdom and insider knowledge, and I think MIke Grier can do this but needs to shift attention to factors that enhance competitiveness. Some players regularly make dumb mistakes revealing their lack of forethought and anticipation, so often you can only disprove high hockey IQ (recognize its opposite in players) rather than prove that any player really has it. Over time the smarter players always stand out so it requires sustained observation and scouting like Sharks have probably been failing to do in the past.
The Kings 'anticipated' how the Sharks would come out of the zone. A Kings' player was there to break up a pass or get in the way. The Sharks could not adjust.
The Kings allowed the Least# of 2 on 1s in the NHL. The Kings are a legit cup contender.
Ferraro had some chances and could not bury them, true.