Three Keys To A Sharks Victory Over Islanders
The San Jose Sharks will look to right the ship after a disappointing loss on Thursday with a victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday.
The San Jose Sharks will look to right the ship after a disappointing loss on Thursday with a victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Mathew Barzal and the Islanders are also struggling. With 41 points, they are last in the Metropolitan Division. New York has lost its previous two games and is 4-6 in its last ten games.
Here are three keys to a Sharks win:
1. Offensive friendly matchup, unless Hogberg stays hot
The Islanders' defense is not the best, having given up seven goals in the last two games. However, their red-hot goalie, Marcus Hogberg, has kept his team in games and will start.
The Sharks currently get offense from one line. Macklin Celebrini's line with Tyler Toffoli and William Eklund must continue to provide it, but this matchup could benefit other lines.
2. Play each period like it is the third
Every time San Jose has played in a clunker, one period of play usually sticks out. In most cases, that has been the third period. That was the situation on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Sharks shot differential is enormous in the first period, -132, but in the third period this season, the shot differential is only -30. While that is still behind the eight ball, it is pretty telling which period the Sharks are keeping the most competitive through 47 games this season.
3. Exploit special teams
There is no way around it, but the Islanders' power play has been awful recently. That is no different this season, as New York holds the league's worst PP% at 11.9%.
This season, the Islanders have scored a measly 13 power play goals on 109 opportunities.
Although the San Jose Sharks power play is only 25th in the league, it is 18.1%. Jake Walman's return has also improved the power play's effectiveness in scoring and creating momentum.
San Jose will face former Sharks forward Anthony Duclair for the first time this season. However, Islanders team rules have changed his physical appearance, so he will look slightly different.
In 16 games this season, Duclair has three goals and three assists. He dealt with a significant lower-body injury, which he suffered five games into his season.
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