SB Nation User Blog: mattman

Hossa signs with the Blackhawks; massive chuckling ensues

mattman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:32:37 -0000

Hossa signs with the Blackhawks; massive chuckling ensues

Goc Out 1-2 Weeks, Blake Day To Day

mattman — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:08:26 -0000

Goc Out 1-2 Weeks, Blake Day To Day

Looks like it might not be as bad as we thought for Goc, both should be back before the postseason.

Two men die after playing recreational hockey at Sharks Ice in San Jose

mattman — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:34:44 -0000

Two men die after playing recreational hockey at Sharks Ice in San Jose

A sad day at Sharks Ice, our prayers go out to the family of these men.

Canadiens acquire Mathieu Schneider from Thrashers

mattman — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:50:30 -0000

Canadiens acquire Mathieu Schneider from Thrashers

Create pickup for the Canadiens, great defenseman who can really score. Should be a good boost for the playoff run they will be hoping to make

Assessing The Sharks Blueline: Midseason Report and 07-08 Comparison

mattman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:41:57 -0000

[Editor's Note]: Mattman has a slick look at the blueline's expanded offensive role when compared to last year. Make sure to give it a hearty read.

The Sharks have seen great improvement this year with their production from their blueline as can be seen in the following charts below. This off season half our blueline was acquired in Lukowich, Blake, and Boyle added to the talented and steady Vlasic and the pairing of Murray and Ehrhoff.

2008-2009 Defenseman Report (38 Games)

		GP	G	A	PTS	SOG

Boyle	37	12	19	31	106
Blake	38	6	20	26	110
Vlasic	38	3	17	20	50
Ehrhoff	37	2	15	17	74
Lukowich	35	0	6	6	28
Murray	31	0	0	0	18
Joslin	1	0	0	0	1
Semenov	13	0	1	1	6

Totals	268	23	78	101	393

Per Game		0.0858	0.291	0.3769	1.4664

2007-2008 Defenseman Report

Player		GP	G	A	PTS	SOG

Rivet	74	5	30	35	105
Ehrhoff	77	1	21	22	97
Campbell	20	3	16	19	40
Ozolinsh	39	3	13	16	39
Carle	62	2	13	15	63
Vlasic	82	2	12	14	72
McLaren	61	3	8	11	39
Murray	66	1	9	10	48
Semenov	22	1	3	4	23
Davison	15	0	0	0	10

Totals	518	21	125	146	536

Per Game		0.0405	0.2413	0.2819	1.0347

When the new coaching staff came to San Jose there was instantly a quick change in philosophy that meant a greater influence from the blue-line in a puck possession and SOG oriented offense. It is obvious that the scoring from the blue line was not there, but the trend has definitely been reversed this year. The Sharks goal production has doubled and assists increased as well. In the SOG category, a staple of this offense, the Sharks have increased from 1.0347 shots per game to 1.4664 as a group of D-man. Hopefully we can ride these guys into the post-season.

Not even really delving deep into the statistics of the improvement I think a major think that has helped the Sharks through the first half of this season is the fact that they have remained relatively healthy. The health status has given an opportunity for a consistent environment and continuity, which creates better productivity. Five of the six D-man has played at least 35 of the 38 games and Blake and Vlasic have not missed a game yet.

I think it is obvious that Dan Boyle has been huge this season and has tremendously improved this team all around. His ability to breakout and lead the rush with his great skating ability has helped just as much as him finding the back of the net on a consistent basis. He jumps into the play and creates scoring chances and makes things happen and pinches with reason and cause. Boyle has added 12 goals through 38 games to a blue line that only obtained 21 goals in 518 combined games last year.

Rob Blake has brought a veteran presence not only to the ice and dressing room, but extending it even further than that. Off the ice he has kept our chemistry good during roadtrips by communicating with younger players and including everyone in team dinners. On the ice he has brought toughness to a team that was soft and not playoff durable in the years past. His point work is great and stick work even better, the ultimate pro. One of my major observations in Blake's play has been his knowledge of when to pinch and jump into the play and when not to do so. If you watch Ehrhoff or Murray play, you see the difference and realize they still haven't mastered when the right and wrong times are. Blake currently leads the defenseman with 20 assists and has worked very well with his partner Vlasic.

The one D-man I'm not totally satisfied with this year is Ehrhoff, although statistically he is having a good year. As TCY has pointed out many times, he does think he is a forward too many times, and unlike Boyle can't get away with it. This post is about scoring, but let me just say his puck management is terrible and he constantly makes mistakes that drive me crazy, sorry had to get that off my chest. Offensively he does have 17 points compared to a 22 point previous season, but I still think he shoots the puck too much, although I'm sure the coaching staff would disagree.

Vlasic, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated players in the NHL, period. I even think he is unappreciated by some fans at times he is truly an amazing hockey player and deserves a ton of the credit for the way this team and blue line is playing right now. The thing that amazes most about Vlasic, is the decisons he makes out on the ice, a very smart player. He is always going to be in the right spot on the ice making a smart decision whether it be a pass of the pads or some amazing stick work, or using the net as puck protection. One of the great areas we see improvement for Vlasic is in the +/- category, not included in these charts. Last year Vlasic held a -12 while he has turned that around this year and currently sits at 17. He has racked up 20 points thus far, while only managing 14 last year.

Sharks Vs. Red Wings and Stanley Cup Perspective

mattman — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:59:12 -0000

Let me preface this by saying that I am a huge Sharks fan just like all of you out there and would kill just as much as you would to get that elusive cup, or hell out of the second round as we like to tease around here. This post is inspired because I was interested of some of the possibilites since there has been some discussion of playoffs around here.

It looks obvious through the first half of the season that the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings have looked like the two best teams in the Western Conference. Of course you could say that the Red Wings haven’t looked as sharp this year and think you probably would have a point well taken. Their statistics are obviously down, especially on the defense and goaltending end. It's been well documented that Osgood has a save percentage of .876 and is allowing 3.12 goals a game. However this is countered with an offense that seizes to impress. The addition of Hossa to an already stacked team gives them even more depth. He is currently sitting at a pretty 34 points to go along with Datsyuk and his 41. We all know the story about the Sharks. Pucks on net, speed, defense jumping into the play. Our style of play has changed and in my opinion made us playoff ready and given us a toughness we lacked previously. Rob Blake has given us some of that toughness along the blue line with the great play of Boyle, leading all defenseman in scoring and everyday smart play that is Vlasic.

So let me do my own speculation. So what are the chances that you see this dream series of Sharks vs. Wings? Glad you asked, I was wondering the same exact scenario. Over the last 8 Stanley Cup playoffs 2008-2000, minus the 05 lockout, the number 1 and 2 seeds have matched up just twice over this span in the Western Conference. It has happened just once in the Eastern Conference which is pretty unbelievable. It happened in 2002 when Detroit faced off against Colorado in a marquee matchup and in 2007 when Detroit and Anaheim faced off and the Ducks went on to win the cup. In the Eastern Conference it happened in 2003 when Ottawa faced off against New Jersey. I was rather perplexed when I found this information out. Also, the number of one or two seed in a conference had failed to reach their conference semifinals 16 of 32 times. Meaning that on any given year, either the 1 or 2 seed made it to the conference semifinal, while the other was stuck out on the golf course dreaming of what could’ve been and what happened to their perfect regular season. So although it may seem as though these teams are on a collision course, maybe someone out there like the Canucks, or the post-sloppy Stars will have something to say about this.

Of course many would conclude that this year is different and that the Sharks and Red Wings are more dominant than two teams have ever been in a conference before. Although this point is very well taken, there always seems to be a sleeper team that makes a great run during the playoffs. Last year those teams were the Philadelphia Flyers and the Dallas Stars. Philly made it to the conference semis as a 6 seed and Dallas obviously beat the Sharks as the 5 seed. In 2006 the Western Conference semis featured a number 8 and 6 seed with the Ducks facing off against the Oilers, the 8 seed who eventually went on to push the Hurricanes to a seventh game in the finals, incredible considering they were an 8 seed. I really hope for the Sharks sake that we do see this matchup, not only would it be a great matchup up for us but for the NHL as well.

Why are these numbers the way they are? One of the major things that a team needs going into the playoffs is momentum, which can carry a hot team. Lets face it, the playoffs are a whole different beast than the regular season, the game changes no question about it. Some teams are just designed for postseason play more than others. Physicality is ramped up and the penalties almost seem non-existent at times. Some of the teams that gain their superiority in the regular season just can’t hang with it through the toughness of the playoffs.

Poll

Will the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings meet in the Western Conference Finals as the 1 and 2 seeds?

YES

15 votes

NO

5 votes

It's January who cares

4 votes

24 votes | Poll has closed

First Annual San Jose Sharks Holiday Jersey Guide

mattman — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:02:23 -0000

First Annual San Jose Sharks Holiday Jersey Guide

Here is a chance to get all the information about all the players and that special Sharks jersey you've always wanted for Christmas.