In Episode 261 of The Fin Factor, Aaron and Paul break down a challenging week for the San Jose Sharks, analyzing the team’s recent “stumble” in the standings while celebrating the elite-level play of their goaltending tandem.
Whether you’re catching the highlights on YouTube or listening to the full breakdown on our audio podcast, here are the key highlights from the show.
A Tale of Two Tides: Calgary and Seattle
The Sharks faced a rough patch this week, going 0-2 leading into their matchup with the Utah Hockey Club.
- Calgary Game (2-0 Loss): The Sharks struggled significantly, recording only one shot on goal in the first period and finishing with a mere 17 total shots. Despite the lack of offensive support, Yaroslav Askarov was spectacular, making 34 saves on 35 shots.
- Seattle Game (3-2 Loss): This game was marred by controversy surrounding “distinct kicking motions”. Two goals in this game were reviewed for kicks, leading to a frustrating and inconsistent outcome that the hosts compared to the ambiguity of goalie interference calls.
Goaltenders Shine: November Numbers
A major theme of the episode was the “staggering” improvement in the Sharks’ goaltending. Aaron pulled together a series of stats comparing the month of October to November, highlighting a massive surge in performance:
- Yaroslav Askarov: Improved his save percentage from a rocky .844 in October to a dominant .965 in November. His Goals Against Average (GAA) plummeted from 4.69 to an elite 1.19.
- Alex Nedeljkovic: Saw his save percentage rise from .887 to .931, with his GAA dropping from 3.6 to 1.96.
- Elite Status: Both goalies are currently playing well above the league average, providing the Sharks with a level of stability between the pipes that they haven’t seen in years.
The Defense: Klingberg Scratched
The defensive unit continues to be a work in progress. A significant talking point was the decision to scratch John Klingberg.
- The Case for the Scratch: Klingberg’s recent play has been under fire, specifically following a “wonky” defensive sequence against Seattle where he blew a tire and got out of position, leading to a two-on-one goal against.
- Looking Ahead: While Klingberg provides a veteran presence, the hosts agree that the scratch was warranted as the team looks to clean up communication errors between their defensive pairings.
Rookie Watch: Celebrini and the “Misa Crunch”
- Macklin Celebrini: Continues to be the “heart and soul” of the team. His elite vision and deception were on full display in recent games, with the hosts noting how he consistently makes the players around him better.
- Michael Misa: There is growing concern regarding Misa’s development, as he is currently sidelined with an injury and unable to practice. His absence does, however, provide the Sharks with some temporary “breathing room” regarding their 50-contract limit crunch.
