Three Keys To A Sharks Victory In opposition to The Stars

The final time the San Jose Sharks visited the Dallas Stars, they walked away with a 3-2 shootout loss; now, 20 video games in, they’re a distinct crew.

When the Sharks had been in Dallas for the primary time, they hadn’t gained a recreation. Now, they’ve six wins and are taking part in a lot better hockey. In addition they did not have Macklin Celebrini within the lineup attributable to damage.

Listed here are three keys for a Sharks win tonight:

1. Puck administration

Head coach Ryan Warsofsky has mentioned all of it season, however with a crew as structured because the Stars, the main target is even increased.

“We have made some strides since recreation one. There’s nonetheless a bit of methods to go right here to make it a bit of extra constant,” Warsofsky stated. “You may argue that each crew within the Nationwide Hockey League talks about impartial zone puck play [and] breakout execution. We’re no completely different. We watch a whole lot of video games. We pre-scout a whole lot of video games that Dallas has performed. We pre-scout a whole lot of video games that St Louis has performed, and on the finish of the day, it is the crew that does not take advantage of errors often wins the hockey recreation.”

The Sharks carried play towards the Detroit Crimson Wings, primarily as a result of their puck administration was constant all through the sport.

2. Goaltending stays spine

San Jose’s goaltending has been the least of the crew’s worries all season. Mackenzie Blackwood will begin tonight’s recreation and has begun to entrench himself because the No. 1 goalie.

Blackwood began towards the Stars and made 36 saves on 38 pictures. He’ll must be stellar once more, because the Stars boast a +17 objective differential. Getting key saves at essential occasions will likely be required for the Sharks to remain within the recreation.

3. Will Smith & Macklin Celebrini need to be good defensively

Will Smith and Mackin Celebrini have created some edge-of-your-seat potential offense since being placed on the identical line, however there are apparent gaps defensively.

Smith’s transfer to the wing has freed him as much as create extra offense, however he is nonetheless studying the place defensively. Celebrini leads the NHL in most puck-battles gained, which is nice, however he wants to make sure he stays in place to win a puck battle.

“I hope it continues to develop extra so on the defensive facet. There are some issues defensively that they should perceive and inside their very own video games that must develop,” Warsofsky stated. “However offensively, they’ve achieved some good issues. It may be extra on the opposite facet of the puck for us.”

Puck drop is ready for five p.m. PT.

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