In Episode 280 of The Fin Factor, Paul and Aaron return from a post-trade deadline hiatus to recap a roller-coaster week of Sharks hockey. With the team fighting to stay relevant in the Western Conference wildcard race, the hosts dive into a dominant win in Boston, a tough slide against Ottawa, and the historic point pace this young core is currently setting.
The “Bobby Orr” Moment in Boston
The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the Sharks’ 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. The game featured what many are calling the goal of the year by Michael Misa, who scored while flying through the air in a manner reminiscent of NHL legend Bobby Orr.
- Goal of the Year: Misa tracked a fluttering rebound, jumped into the air, and batted the puck into the net before performing a perfect “tuck and roll” landing.
- Fatherly Pride: The hosts shared a viral clip of Misa’s father attempting to recreate the goal on a pond—noting that while he didn’t quite achieve “zero gravity,” he successfully nailed the celebration.
- Ned in Net: Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was a brick wall, stopping 39 of 41 shots for a stellar .951 save percentage to secure the win in one of the league’s toughest arenas.
Mid-Week Struggles: Ottawa and Buffalo
While the win in Boston was a high point, the Sharks faced “stinkers” against Buffalo and Ottawa.
- Buffalo Chippiness: In a 6-3 loss to the Sabres, the game turned physical with back-to-back fights. Aaron noted that these high-intensity games are a “welcome to playoff hockey” for a young Sharks roster still learning what it takes to win in March.
- The Ottawa Collapse: A 7-4 loss to the Senators exposed some defensive lapses. Despite goals from Ferraro, Toffoli, Graf, and Misa, the team struggled to contain Ottawa’s offense without the steady presence of Nedeljkovic in net.
A Historic Pace for the Rebuild
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from the episode is the sheer statistical improvement of the team.
- 35-Point Jump: Last season, the Sharks finished with just 52 points. This year, they are currently on pace for 87 points—a massive 35-point improvement.
- Modern High: If they maintain this pace, it would mark the highest point total for the franchise since the 2017-2018 season, signaling that the “Grier rebuild” is ahead of schedule.
Goalie Debate: Askarov vs. Nedeljkovic
With the playoffs still a mathematical possibility, the hosts debated who should start if the team manages to sneak in.
- The Case for “Asky”: Paul argued for Yaroslav Askarov’s athleticism and “adrenaline-pumping” saves, noting he has been the primary starter all season.
- Steady Neddy: Aaron highlighted that the defense seems to play a more “passable” and structured game in front of Nedeljkovic, who has proven he can handle high-volume shots in big games.
Community Spotlight: Rallying for Nick
The show took a serious turn to provide an update on Nick Blalock, a local hockey player who was involved in a horrific accident.
How to Help: Fans are encouraged to support the “Rally for Nick 97” GoFundMe to help his family with mounting medical costs.
Signs of Progress: Nick remains in a coma but is now breathing on his own, which the hosts celebrated as a “miracle”.
