GDT: Game 62: Sharks @ Maple Leafs 4:30pm NBCSCA

[karltonian]

My one complaint other than the second goal given up by Georgiev is I didn't like them running out the clock in OT. It worked out, but they had a chance to get one or two scoring chances and that felt to me like they were afraid to let Toronto touch the puck again. Even if you're not as good as the other team, you have to play without fear.

i thought celebrini was setting up smith at the buzzer?

 

[Star Platinum]

i thought celebrini was setting up smith at the buzzer?

He did, but rewatch the end of the game. They skated the puck out of the offensive zone multiple times and all the way back to their defensive zone before that.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Juxtaposer]

Liljegren revenge game success.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Pavelski2112]

Hell of a win to get the vibes back

Georgiev was locked in

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[coooldude]

Awesome game, great fight from the guys. A random collection of thoughts:

• The kids were real close to some highlight reel goals.
• Smitty and Macklin need to spend the offseason learning how to beat NHL goalies on the breakaway.
• It has been said lately by many: Ferraro looks solid lately.
• Also, Mukh looks more and more solid, using his length and mobility to his advantage and playing a sound positional game with a few fun risky pinches per game. Keep going and he'll be a solid middle pair or a steady pair for an adventurous OFD... Long way to go but way more promising of late.
• Man, say what you want about Toffoli but dude knows how to shoot.
• Also, you have to give credit to Ferraro/Walman/Goodrow especially, but also the full PK units today. Sure they gave one up, but the kills looked pretty effective, and that Toronto PP is insanely talented.
• Lily sure looked motivated today. If he plays like that all the time, he too could pass for a 4/5 on a decent team.
• Georgie is a total spaz but he probably deserves first star tonight.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[OrrNumber4]

that thinking is the treadmill to nowhere plan, they need the talent like Zetterburg who can relate better to the 25 and under shark talent coming up. GMMG would just be looking for another player like him next summer. This team needs continuity and stability, they don't need any more marginal prospects which is all Zetterburg is going to get them, or a draft pick that is 5 years away.

1) Absolutely the Sharks could use a talent like Zetterburg. But we're talking about Zetterlund...
2) Of course, if the Sharks can only get draft capital or futures for him they shouldn't trade him, but I thought it obvious that I would want to dangle him in exchange for a premium asset like a young, potential #1 defenseman.
3) So GMMG trades Zetterlund for a premium piece and then acquires another player like him (hopefully with more experience). Win-win?

 

[Star Platinum]

Of course, if the Sharks can only get draft capital or futures for him they shouldn't trade him, but I thought it obvious that I would want to dangle him in exchange for a premium asset like a young, potential #1 defenseman.

Zetterlund would be a throw-in in a deal like that

 

[tiburon12]

He did, but rewatch the end of the game. They skated the puck out of the offensive zone multiple times and all the way back to their defensive zone before that.

That's called puck management. Would you preferred they forced a bad play and lost the puck? Like, just seconds before that, Marner hounded eklund and forced him to dump the puck in and give up possession.

Possession is the name of the game in OT

 

[Jargon]

So the trick is to be losing in the third period to win the game — we’ve obviously gotten it wrong lately. Simple, effective tweak by Smartsofsky.

 

[Star Platinum]

That's called puck management.

That is not what that is called.

Sharks took a timeout in OT at 1:03. Got a 2 on 1. Walman shot and Eklund got the rebound at their goal line. He passed to Walman at the blue line who immediately skated it out instead of continuing to apply offensive pressure. Wennberg skates the puck back in, passes to Eklund, and Eklund skates it back to his own defensive faceoff circle allowing Wennberg and Walman to change with Celebrini and Smith, nearly losing the puck to Marner. and makes a weak entry back into their zone. The only thing that salvaged that possession from being a zero at best and disaster at worst is that Celebrini skates hard into the corner and makes a great no-look pass to Smith for a premium scoring chance with 3.6 seconds to go.

Sharks could have potentially had at least two chances to try to score had they actually managed the puck well there and if they had been fortunate to get the puck back after the first attempt, may have even held it in the Toronto zone for the rest of the 1:03.

 

[OrrNumber4]

That's called puck management. Would you preferred they forced a bad play and lost the puck? Like, just seconds before that, Marner hounded eklund and forced him to dump the puck in and give up possession.

Possession is the name of the game in OT

I agree somewhat...but this team has been playing not to lose for a long time. In OT they don't take chances for fear up giving up a chance the other way.

 

[tiburon12]

That is not what that is called.

Sharks took a timeout in OT at 1:03. Got a 2 on 1. Walman shot and Eklund got the rebound at their goal line. He passed to Walman at the blue line who immediately skated it out instead of continuing to apply offensive pressure. Wennberg skates the puck back in, passes to Eklund, and Eklund skates it back to his own defensive faceoff circle allowing Wennberg and Walman to change with Celebrini and Smith, nearly losing the puck to Marner. and makes a weak entry back into their zone. The only thing that salvaged that possession from being a zero at best and disaster at worst is that Celebrini skates hard into the corner and makes a great no-look pass to Smith for a premium scoring chance with 3.6 seconds to go.

Sharks could have potentially had at least two chances to try to score had they actually managed the puck well there and if they had been fortunate to get the puck back after the first attempt, may have even held it in the Toronto zone for the rest of the 1:03.

I think you should look at the play that caused Walman to get that puck in the first place. Reilly tried to force a play instead of smartly buying more time and retaining possession. If we score on that play Reilly wears the goat horns for horrible puck management. So, the inverse must also be true. Deciding not to force a bad play with tired players, as the team clearly was as evidenced by a change, was the smart play. Imagine if Walman forced a play and the leafs got a break, how would you feel then?

I agree somewhat...but this team has been playing not to lose for a long time. In OT they don't take chances for fear up giving up a chance the other way.

NHL teams don't score on 3-3 by cycling it in the zone for an extended period. Instead, they regroup when there is no space and use speed and movement when entering the zone to do create space and score. Literally no team would be supportive of forcing a bad play or shot just because it's "a chance". Sorry, but this isn't debatable. For years this has been the case.

I don't think retaining possession and not forcing a bad play is the same as playing not to lose.

 

[karltonian]

That is not what that is called.

Sharks took a timeout in OT at 1:03. Got a 2 on 1. Walman shot and Eklund got the rebound at their goal line. He passed to Walman at the blue line who immediately skated it out instead of continuing to apply offensive pressure. Wennberg skates the puck back in, passes to Eklund, and Eklund skates it back to his own defensive faceoff circle allowing Wennberg and Walman to change with Celebrini and Smith, nearly losing the puck to Marner. and makes a weak entry back into their zone. The only thing that salvaged that possession from being a zero at best and disaster at worst is that Celebrini skates hard into the corner and makes a great no-look pass to Smith for a premium scoring chance with 3.6 seconds to go.

Sharks could have potentially had at least two chances to try to score had they actually managed the puck well there and if they had been fortunate to get the puck back after the first attempt, may have even held it in the Toronto zone for the rest of the 1:03.

I think that was a deliberate modification of their too-risky approach heretofore. I think it was justifiable and even good. Just winging it in to Eklund who was recovering from his net crash would have probably turned it over.

 

[STL Shark]

View attachment 986285

Awesome game, great fight from the guys. A random collection of thoughts:

• The kids were real close to some highlight reel goals.
• Smitty and Macklin need to spend the offseason learning how to beat NHL goalies on the breakaway.
• It has been said lately by many: Ferraro looks solid lately.
• Also, Mukh looks more and more solid, using his length and mobility to his advantage and playing a sound positional game with a few fun risky pinches per game. Keep going and he'll be a solid middle pair or a steady pair for an adventurous OFD... Long way to go but way more promising of late.
• Man, say what you want about Toffoli but dude knows how to shoot.
• Also, you have to give credit to Ferraro/Walman/Goodrow especially, but also the full PK units today. Sure they gave one up, but the kills looked pretty effective, and that Toronto PP is insanely talented.
• Lily sure looked motivated today. If he plays like that all the time, he too could pass for a 4/5 on a decent team.
• Georgie is a total spaz but he probably deserves first star tonight.

Missing is what was most obvious to me in that game - Wennberg looks really good. Might need to bump that thread where I said it was a good signing and a bunch of folks were in their feelings saying it was bad GMing.

 

[Chinaski89]

Demers is hilarious

Is he wasted again?

 

[Jargon]

Missing is what was most obvious to me in that game - Wennberg looks really good. Might need to bump that thread where I said it was a good signing and a bunch of folks were in their feelings saying it was bad GMing.

I really like Wennberg, he was a fantastic add. If Smith can officially take over 2nd line duties next year, I’d love to build a 3rd line around Wennberg and Graf. Possibly with Zetterlund if we can find Smith two top 6 wingers (a tall task, but… maybe we get Misa and he’s ready or Chernyshov steps in as one of them).

 

[CHALUPA]

Mukh is playing with tons of confidence. Not treating the puck like a hand grenade anymore and is being defensively disruptive. If he continues improving his puck moving ability (specifically under pressure), feeling good that he can be a middle pairing guy for our future.

 

[Bizz]

Good job Georgie

Grier needs to trade him and Ferraro now. Their values don't get higher than this.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

Is he wasted again?

You mean still?

Good to see them hold onto this one. Maybe the remaining chances will allow them to hone the chemistry get us a couple more before the end of the season.

I’m finally starting to see some light at the end of what’s been a long dark tunnel….which is nice!

 

[Shut Yer Five Hole]

Is he wasted again?

He sounds like it, but I think it's just his "media personality"

 

[sampler]

I think you should look at the play that caused Walman to get that puck in the first place. Reilly tried to force a play instead of smartly buying more time and retaining possession. If we score on that play Reilly wears the goat horns for horrible puck management. So, the inverse must also be true. Deciding not to force a bad play with tired players, as the team clearly was as evidenced by a change, was the smart play. Imagine if Walman forced a play and the leafs got a break, how would you feel then?


NHL teams don't score on 3-3 by cycling it in the zone for an extended period. Instead, they regroup when there is no space and use speed and movement when entering the zone to do create space and score. Literally no team would be supportive of forcing a bad play or shot just because it's "a chance". Sorry, but this isn't debatable. For years this has been the case.

I don't think retaining possession and not forcing a bad play is the same as playing not to lose.

1.The key in OT is all about possession, as written earlier. The only shot at net that should be taken, ever, in OT, has to be an extremely grade A chance. like a cross crease one timer, 2 on 1, breakaway, etc. NEVER should a team give up possession for anything else. This chance, however, should really be looked for midway through OT, not off the bat.

2. The second key is tiring out your opponent and out-changing them. If you win the opening draw, I am fine not shooting for 2-3 minutes. Enter the zone with speed and force the opponent to match you, then cycle a bit, then curl back. Never risk losing posession. Retain possession while changing so the opponent cannot change, then rinse and repeat. If a clear tap in type chance arises after a few minutes then, finally, take it, but be ferocious in getting any rebound and then curl out again and repeat. The goal is either score, or do NOT allow the goalie to cover. The opposition will have zero energy after chasing you for 2-3 minutes. After being on the ice chasing and defending, you will have no legs. As such, if you get A good save from your goalie and pick up a loose puck, you will not have any legs to do anything with it. You will either ice it (you are still stuck on the ice and in your own zone), try to skate with it (but the fresh opponent has way more energy and legs), or just dump it forward, in which case the team with energy can regather possession immediately and come at your again. Rinse and repeat. This is why taking your shot in the first 30 second or a minute if you win the opening draw is foolish.

3. Use the goalie. this is the one biggest areas that teams have not figured out. the goalie can act as a fourth skater, a D man in essence. If the puck carrier is being hounded in the neutral zone by a defender and has no outlet, shooting it back into their own zone to the goalie is a good play. the goalie then acts as an up-passer. So, in that event, if the opposition attempts to change (which they almost surely will), the galie can catch them on that change with one 100 foot pass and away you go. The goalie, therefore, should be positioned about halfway to the blue line when your team has possession and return to the crease only if possession is somehow lost.

The sharks OT strategy tends to be beyond stupid. The sharks, when they get possession, usually force plays up the ice and try to score right away. They take a grade B shot, and then give up possession. They rarely, if ever, hold possession for 2+ minutes, so when the sharks take their chance, the other team has lots in the tank to possess the puck themselves, and if smart like WPG, will patiently tire the sharks out and then ultimately score.

Recognize, if you possess the puck, the other team cannot score, so you never ever ever ever want to give up possession unless the scoring chance is worth it and the other team cannot counter due to fatigue.

its a basic strategic chess match and the sharks stink at it. Thankfully, so do many other teams, but if the sharks can grow half a brain, they can win the vast majority of OT games regardless of talent or skill.

P.S.: playing not to lose in OT is great. After all, if you think of any OT as 50/50, if you cannot lose in OT, then you have, by definition, better than 50-50 chance of winning the overall game. So, holding possession and playing not to lose is genious.