Can San Jose Sharks Return To Win Column Against Columbus Blue Jackets?

By Adam Pfeifer
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

 

As of late, the San Jose Sharks have been drowning a bit.

The team that started the season off on an absolute tear with a 5-0-0 record, hasn’t been playing like a Western Conference powerhouse. They are currently riding a four-game losing streak, and four of the Shark’s last six contests have been decided in shootout fashion. The inability to close out those close games now has them trailing the Anaheim Ducks for the Pacific division lead.

Yes, you read that correctly.

San Jose will now hit the road to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, kicking off a six-game road trip. To the naked eye, many Shark fans feel that this will be a walk in the park way to end the losing streak, but not so fast. Columbus, despite their record of 3-7-2, has been playing much improved hockey in 2013. They have been hanging tough with every opponent this season, but their inability to find the back of the net (just 1.92 goals per game) has them dead last in the Central.

So, what does San Jose have to do to start their road trip with a win?

How about scoring? During their four-game losing streak, the Sharks have scored a total of five goals. Not exactly a winning formula for hockey games. The most alarming aspect of their recent slump is the disappearance of both Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

Both Thornton and Marleau started the season red hot among the league’s points leaders, but have recently watched themselves fall out of the top 10 after being held pointless over the last five contests. It’s quite simple. If these two alone can produce offensively, opposing defenses are going to have a headache each and every night.

The good news, however, is between the pipes. Goaltender Anti Niemi has been absolutely superb this year, allowing just 1.82 goals per game (league-high) and posting a save percentage of .933. Niemi is giving this team a chance to win almost every single night and if the offense starts clicking like they are more than capable of, San Jose will get back to their winning ways in no time.

But it all starts tonight in Columbus against a team that should not be overlooked.

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