CBC-Sports

Doubt, impatience and other picture postcards

April 20, 2009 03:49 PM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

The San Jose Sharks left for Anaheim down 2-0 to the Ducks and feeling like they've advanced their cause - because the alternative is to look at the back cover of the team's post-season media guide and dream of the golf course pictured upon it.

"I sensed disappointment, yes, but I haven't sensed doubt yet," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan.

"Even after the third goal (by Drew Miller, that made it 3-1), I didn't see any doubt. I think you see doubt more than you hear it. I think you can look in a guy's eyes and he'll tell you if they're all in or if they're just casually there."

What he did say, though, is that the Sharks have actually been less patient with their offence than they should be. They are averaging 39.5 shots on goal per game, more than any of the other 15 teams (while allowing the Ducks a league-low 21.5), but more telling is the number of shots they've taken, period - 144 over the two games, including 83 Sunday night.

"Eighty-three is an extraordinary number," McLellan said. "We like to drive the puck to the net, but sometimes we do that and we forget to consider other options. That's something we need to go over - to be a little more selective with what we're doing. There's a fine line between quality and quantity, and right now we're rushing things a little bit."

He did not commit to any personnel or line changes, but unlike Game 1, he was more satisfied with what he got from the combinations he employed. It is now merely a matter of scoring, which as is well known is something the Sharks have shown a peculiar springtime aversion to doing.

FUN WITH NUMBERS, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT

In case it matters, the eight higher-seeded teams to overcome an 0-2 start to win are as follows:

1995 - Chicago over Toronto in seven games in first round; eliminated in the conference finals.

1996 - New York Rangers over Montreal in six games in first round; eliminated in the second round.

Pittsburgh over Washington in six games in first round; eliminated in the conference finals.

1999 - Colorado over Detroit in six games in second round; eliminated in the conference finals.

2000 - Philadelphia over Pittsburgh in six games in second round: eliminated in the conference finals.

2002 - Detroit over Vancouver in six games in the first round; won Stanley Cup

2003 - Tampa Bay over Washington in six games in first round; eliminated in the second round.

2006 - Carolina over Montreal in six games in first round; won Stanley Cup.

SHARKS LINES

Travis Moen-Patrick Marleau-Devin Setoguchi
Jonathan Cheechoo-Joe Thornton-Jeremy Roenick
Milan Michalek-Joe Pavelski-Ryane Clowe
Mike Grier-Marcel Goc-Claude Lemieux

SHARKS DEFENCE PAIRS

Brad Lukowich-Dan Boyle
Douglas Murray-Christian Ehrhoff
Rob Blake-Marc Edouard Vlasic

DUCKS LINES

Bobby Ryan,-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry
Drew Miller-Todd Marchant-Rob Niedermayer
Erik Christensen-Andrew Ebbett-Teemu Selanne
Mike Brown-Petteri Nokelainen-George Parros


DUCKS OFFENCE PAIRS

Chris Pronger-Ryan Whitney
Scott Niedermayer-James Wisniewski
Francois Beauchemin-Sheldon Brookbank

" Previous Post | Main
  •