In Episode 200 of The Fin Factor, Paul and Aaron celebrate their milestone episode while analyzing a “microcosm” of the Sharks’ season through the lens of recent games and significant injuries.
The “Microcosm” of the Season
The hosts use a 2-0 win over the Seattle Kraken as a primary example of the team’s ongoing struggles and bright spots.
- Injury Management: A recurring theme is the team’s inability to play at full strength. In this specific game, the Sharks were missing key centers like Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture.
- Player Development: Despite the losses, the development of younger players like William Eklund is highlighted as a reason to keep watching. Eklund was forced to play center due to the injuries and showed “veteran things” in his performance.
- Offensive Struggles: The hosts noted “horrendous” shot generation, pointing out a game where the team had only three shots in the first period and five in the second.
Hertl & Couture Injury Impact
The absence of the team’s top two centers fundamentally shifted the roster’s dynamic.
- Tomas Hertl: His absence from the lineup meant other players had to step into unfamiliar roles, such as Eklund playing center—a position he was drafted for but had not played regularly with the Sharks.
- Logan Couture: The hosts noted that Couture remained out, further depleting the team’s center depth.
- Veteran Leadership: Without these veterans, the responsibility for guiding the youth fell to others like Mikael Granlund, who was praised for his on-ice “coaching” and performance during the rebuild.
The Goaltending Debate
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Sharks’ goaltending situation, which the hosts describe as “solid” despite the team’s overall poor record.
- Mackenzie Blackwood: After a 2-0 shutout win against Seattle, Paul argued that Blackwood “deserves better” than the team in front of him.
- Trade Speculation: The hosts debated whether to move Blackwood or Kaapo Kahkonen before the trade deadline. While both have similar stats, Blackwood’s extra year on his contract and lower price tag were seen as factors that might make him more valuable to keep—or fetch a higher price in a trade.
Roller Coaster Results
The episode recaps a series of mixed results following the All-Star break:
- Losses: A 3-2 overtime loss to Anaheim, a 1-0 shutout loss to Winnipeg, and a 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Wins: A 6-3 victory over Calgary and the 2-0 win over Seattle.
