Canucks five, Sharks 4 (SO): The Most Satisfying Game Ever Lost

After Joe Pavelski was stuffed by Cory Schneider, rendering Alex Burrows' prior goal the lone score from the shootout as well as the game winner, Sharks Tv color commentator, Drew Remenda, said that he does not think in "moral victories," but that this came close. Radio broadcaster Jamie Baker disagreed, calling the thrilling game a "moral victory."

While the two respectable guys disagreed, both of them failed to hit on a key point: Beneath existing NHL rules, losses of worth (or moral victories) do exist. The Sharks left HP Pavilion tonight by having an overtime loss, but if they'd failed to come back just when (they did three times), they would have 84 points right now as opposed to 85. Not only does this bring an extremely intriguing element of the NHL's present scoring method towards the forefront (which I'll reach later on), nevertheless it also, indisputably, makes this game a loss of value. Nevertheless, the Sharks are in possession of seven "losses of value" this season, and not all might be observed as "moral victories."

On November 17th and 18th, the Sharks blew two-goal leads within the third period. In each games, their opponents (the Avs and Stars, respectively) completed their comebacks and sunk the Sharks in OT. Blowing a two-goal lead late in the third, as they did in Colorado, is certainly deflating. Not leaving that game with two points was undoubtedly frustrating. Blowing one more two-goal lead the following evening and leaving Dallas with an additional mere point was just aggravating. Tonight, the Sharks had been down 2-0 after the Canucks dominated the first period, but a fast comeback within the very first two:04 from the second produced it a new game. Devin Setoguchi scored in typical Seto "work tough, get rewarded" fashion, following their own forehand off the post with a backhand within the net. Ryane Clowe struck a minute later, making a power move to the net and slipping one beneath Schneider.

Nonetheless, the Canucks had the last say of the period, going into the break up 3-2 and entering the 3rd with the lead (they had been 30-0-3 in these situations). 1 would feel that these gaudy numbers, as well as the truth that the Canucks had the final objective of the second, gives them the advantage inside the third. But therein lies what's particular about these Sharks, and why, in this case, the Sharks can relish their one point.

The Canucks' achievement with third-period leads is not basically as a result of their mental toughness. It's due to their insane forward depth which allows them to help keep their shifts brief and balanced. It's due to their puck-moving defensemen who put the puck deep in their opponent's zone. It really is on account of a devastating forecheck that keeps the puck deep and often expands the Canuck lead, and it is on account of an 86 percent penalty kill that knocks the wind from opponents who are thinking "this energy play is our opportunity to come back."

What the Sharks have done throughout the final two months continues to be remarkable, and also the No. 1 top quality this team has displayed is mental toughness. They've return countless times, recovered from blown leads, finished in OT and accompanied losses with winning streaks. But even though mental toughness, in conjunction with the Sharks talent, can beat most teams, Vancouver's foolproof closing technique and top-tier personnel will not go down like that.

So what did San Jose do? These were aggressive, establishing sustained attacks at the start of the third and forcing desperate clears. This hadn't permit Vancouver to get the puck deep, enter on the forecheck and rhythmically rotate their lines. They did not press for a objective, fearing that every attack may be their best and final. They played their game, which stumbled Vancouver. Since the Canucks spent increasingly more time defending, and fewer and much less changing lines and forechecking, they started to tire. Consequently, the Sharks' attacks became increasingly more and a lot more efficient and, finally, they were rewarded.

Chicago Blackhawks: Dave Bolland's Injury Leaves an enormous Hole at Center

Thanks to a low cost shot by Pavel Kubina, the Chicago Blackhawks could suddenly be carrying out their best impersonation of a Tim Horton's doughnut. Namely, the 'Hawks may have a big hole in the middle. The Tampa Bay defenseman is going to be taking a three-day holiday from function after the league rightfully handed down a suspension for his head shot on Bolland. We all know Kubina is going to be back in three games. Are we able to say the identical about Bolland?

I really hope so, due to the fact losing Bolland is a key thorn in Chicago's recent surge toward the playoffs. Bolland had five points in the four games before the hit and had been performing a great job directing the second line. The Blackhawks have already been rolling 4 lines and getting contributions from them all. Thursday's selection through the NHL makes discussion of whether the hit was dirty (it was) and regardless of whether the league would reduce sanctions (they did) irrelevant. Bolland was woozy but conscious following the hit, skated the rest of the very first period, and did not return. He is at the moment listed as daily, but injuries towards the head have a way of keeping folks out for a long period.

Bolland could be back inside a game or two, or it could be a month or longer. Right now, it's hard to say. How do you replace a guy who has been the solution (for the time being, anyway) inside the center of the second line as the season winds down? Michael Frolik took over for Bolland Wednesday and wasn't a poor fit. Though the latest acquisition would rather play on the wing, it may be essential to move him up from the third line. Second line center is a position with which Patrick Sharp is familiar, getting spent portions from the final two seasons there. The issue is in moving a guy off the hottest line in the league.

The Hawks could send Troy Brouwer back up with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, however the Sharp-Toews-Kane line was the catalyst of the Blackhawks current win streak. As much as I like Jake Dowell and what I assume he adds to the club, he is not the guy to get Marian Hossa the puck. Dowell and Ryan Johnson belong about the two checking lines that have worked nicely for Chicago not too long ago. Tomas Kopecky can stay right exactly where he is on the fourth line. I do not need to visit him back at center.

There's no support in Rockford. Jeff Taffe (who has 50 points for that Ice Hogs but has by no means been a big scorer within the NHL) could spot Dowell or Johnson but won't add firepower the second line. Neither Evan Brophy or Brandon Pirri will be ready to get tossed into a tense scrap for any spot in the playoffs. To me, the answer towards the hole inside the second line is to continue using Frolik there and hope Bolland makes a timely return to the lineup. That will depend on Frolik's willingness to play a position he did not sound thrilled about when he joined the team.

Replace Frolik on the third line with Fernando Pisani, who saw his 1st taste of game action Wednesday considering that coping with his own upper body injury. Taffe could provide minutes like a third or fourth line forward if need be, specially if Bolland misses important time. Those fans who think that Bolland was playing a line excessive now face the prospect of him getting missing in the second line for some time. The Blackhawks have been thin at center all season and Kubina's elbow may have taken away a essential piece of Chicago's playoff puzzle for an extended stretch.

Syracuse Need to Play Massive Tonight Against Pitt With Kris Joseph Out

What a match up tonight in Pittsburgh between your fourth-ranked Panthers and No. three Syracuse. The Orange are 18-0 under head coach Jim Boeheim for the second time in 35 many can tie a school record having a rare win in the Peterson Events Center. Syracuse leads the all-time series 61-37 but has struggled lately against Jamie Dixon's Panthers. Pitt has won 12 of its last 15 games against the Orange, such as 4 straight. This is a massive week for Syracuse which plays at fourth-ranked Pitt nowadays then hosts seventh-ranked Villanova on Saturday.

The Orange picked up the plan's 1,800 victory last week over Saint John's and makes tonight's match up winning 48 of its last 53 games. Syracuse already has some good quality wins this season over teams like Michigan State and Notre Dame, but victory at Pittsburgh could be by far its very best win about the year. It won't come simple at the Pete, particularly with leading scorer Kris Joseph out for that Orange. Joseph was restricted to just 10 minutes Saturday against Cincinnati before leaving the overall game with a head injury. That's 15 points and 5 boards the Orange need to constitute against a really physical and stingy Pitt defense.

Guard play is going to be huge for the Orange, particularly with Joseph out of the lineup. The backcourt continues to be inconsistent up to this point but indicates large improvement lately with the increased scoring efforts of Brandon Triche. Right after having just one double-digit game by way of his very first nine contests, Triche has seven in his final nine.

If Triche and Scoop Jardine (13 ppg) can consistently hit shots from the outside then that ought to open things up for Rick Jackson. Jackson is emerging as 1 of the top forwards, not only in the Massive East, but also inside the country. He picked up his second straight double-double over the past weekend and at present has 11 on the season. His play on the interior is crucial to Syracuse's good results, specifically on the boards, where Pitt is plus 13 about the glass. If the 2-3 zone can force Ashton Gibbs (16 ppg) and Brad Wannamaker (13 ppg) into taking tough shots and at least break even within the rebound battle then Syracuse will certainly solidify itself as a true Final Four contender.