Three Takeaways From Sharks 4-1 Loss to Maple Leafs
William Nylander scored twice for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they handed the San Jose Sharks their 11th straight loss.
Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports - Three Takeaways From Sharks 4-1 Loss to Maple LeafsWilliam Nylander scored twice for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they handed the San Jose Sharks their 11th straight loss.
San Jose actually had a good start in the first five minutes of the game, but that quickly changed. The Maple Leafs dominated throughout and suffocated the Sharks.
Here are three takeaways from last night's game:
1. Compete level needs to be 60 minutes
Mario Ferraro and head coach David Quinn referenced not having a 60-minute effort during postgame. This has been a trend for the Sharks during this 11-game losing streak:
"I didn't really love our compete tonight," Sharks coach David Quinn said. "I thought we were outworked and competed too often tonight. [It] picked up [and got] better through stretches."
Ferraro discussed more in-depth what the Sharks need to do to get out of the streak with a consistent effort.
He also discussed the team's overall work ethic. While he wasn't trying to disrespect the team, he understands the Sharks' situation and what needs to happen with the assembled roster.
"I don't quite think that we were the harder-working team. Around here, that can't happen. We're not going to win games that way," Ferraro said. "Obviously, they may have more skill down their lineup than we do, but it's going to come down to who really works hard. That's who's going to win the game."
2. Fabian Zetterlund and Mikael Granlund are still dynamic together
Fabian Zetterlund and Mikael Granlund have been linemates for over a month and have grown into a dynamic duo on the Sharks' second line.
Last night, they showed their chemistry again when Zetterlund found Granlund with a sweet no-look pass.
"I saw he went behind the net. So [he] probably showed up at the far post," Zetterlund explained. "I just guessed [if he was there]. I just saw him a little bit."
Granlund had high praise for the 24-year-old's improving game this season.
"He's grown a lot. He's a really good player," Granlund said. "He's becoming a really good power forward in this league. He's a strong dude. He works hard. He plays honest hockey. I've enjoyed playing with him."
3. This 11-game losing streak is different
The Sharks have lost 11 games in a row for the second time this season. There are major differences when comparing the season-opening losing streak to this one.
"We're definitely not back where we started," Quinn said before last night's game. "I was talking to Granlund yesterday about this, and he's like, 'I feel so good about our team. I know that may sound crazy in the streak that we're in.' We look way different than we did in October, and we're not hanging on. I mean, over these ten games, we arguably could have won four or five of them, but we're not. We're that close, and we've got to take advantage of opportunities that we get."
A similar trend is the lack of offense during this streak, but Quinn is correct: the team is losing winnable games. The games against the Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets are two perfect examples.
"We've only given up two five-on-five goals in the last three games," Quinn said pregame. "As we touched on, the Detroit game was a shot from the corner off a skate. We have to continue to [defend five-on-five]. That has to be foundationally what we have to do every night, and that has given us a chance these last three games."
The San Jose Sharks will face the Maple Leafs again on Tuesday in the first game of their five-game road trip.
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