Three Takeaways From Sharks 3-2 Win Over Rangers
The San Jose Sharks completed an improbable 3-2 come-from-behind overtime win over the New York Rangers last night.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports - Three Takeaways From Sharks 3-2 Win Over RangersThe San Jose Sharks completed an improbable 3-2 come-from-behind overtime win over the New York Rangers last night.
San Jose has won three straight and earned the day off today. Here are three takeaways from last night's performance.
1. Undefeated With Couture & Sturm
Logan Couture and Nico Sturm have returned from injury and have only seen their team win. It is extra special for Couture, given what he has had to watch for the first half of the season.
Sturm has been a key cog in the Sharks lineup all season. The Sharks have needed his speed and forechecking ability. He got rewarded for that with a goal last night.
"The way the game came down, the last two especially, fit my style of play," Sturm said. "I could contribute with the way that I play anyway. There were a lot of situations where I could help the team and last last couple of days. Of course, I'm happy to score and to contribute; that's always the best part about hockey."
Couture has provided a boost to the Sharks lineup that was needed for a long time. He only has one assist so far this season but has provided stability down the middle and on special teams.
2. Depth Scoring
The Sharks are getting clutch goals from their third and fourth lines. Justin Bailey against the Los Angeles Kings, Sturm and Ryan Carpenter last night.
Bailey's goal against LA was huge because it restored a lad that the Sharks desperately needed. Carpenter helped tie the game last night.
"When you can get offense up and down your lineup, you just got a much better chance to win," Sharks coach David Quinn said. "Takes a little bit of the burden off the top guys. They're not going to have great nights every night. They're up against everybody's top lines. To get that production out of every line really gives you a chance every single night."
3. Defensemen Providing Offense
Where has this been all season? Jan Rutta is working on a three-game point streak where he's had a goal and three assists. He was the one who took the shot for Carpenter to tie the game.
"When he was in Tampa, he said, because he played with Hedman, he was just kind of the defenseman, make sure he's back," Tomas Hertl said. "But like I said a couple of games ago, he said he will play more offensively, and he gets points every game now. He used to, when he was playing in the Czech League, he was offensive."
Kyle Burroughs also chipped in with a goal against the Anaheim Ducks.
With Mario Ferraro out, the Sharks need the rest of the d-core to step up their game. So far, they have done so with flying colors.
San Jose will continue to try to outwork their opponents, and during this three-game winning streak, that has been the recipe for success.
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