The San Jose Sharks‘ prime scorers have mixed for only one aim and 5 factors via the primary 9 video games of the season. Tomas Hertl hasn’t scored a aim for the reason that season opener in Prague. In the meantime, Timo Meier has but to attain, registering simply two assists in 9 video games.

These numbers, together with a collective minus-13, are the principle cause for the Sharks’ dreadful 2-7 begin. Their early season document is a sign that the Sharks can ill-afford inconsistent stretches from their prime stars. I’ll take it a step additional and say extended off-and-on performances from these two may grant some followers their want of profitable the “Tank for Bedard” sweepstakes (from ‘Make NHL playoffs? Tank for Bedard? For San Jose Sharks, reply is perhaps neither,’ Mercury Information, 10/03/2022).

So, why are San Jose’s prime scorers struggling so mightily on a group that already has extra secondary scoring on paper than they did final season? What can they do to vary it? Diving into the numbers and video reveals stark, nearly uncanny similarities between their scoring woes. Listed here are a number of observations on their struggles and the way they will appropriate them transferring ahead.

Timo Meier and Thomas Hertl Are Not Utilizing Their TeammatesOne factor I’ve seen is Meier’s and Hertl’s equal want to hold the play past what’s humanly doable. Which means, a participant can care a lot about their group’s success that they “attempt to do an excessive amount of.” That’s exactly what Hertl and Meier have been doing to a damaged offensive assault. Whereas they’re anticipated to hold the play, each have handed up far too many good alternatives to make use of their teammates, finally resulting in turnovers. Each forwards naturally draw defenders with their velocity and fingers, opening up passing lanes for his or her teammates.

It’s tough to dish the puck if you’re struggling to attain. Nonetheless, making easy performs to the open ice will put them in that place. As soon as they simplify their strategy, their expertise will do the remaining.

50/50 Puck BattlesIronically, each gamers are doing an excessive amount of with the puck, they usually’re not doing sufficient away from it; they’re typically on the unsuitable finish of unfastened puck battles. This may’t occur from any group’s prime gamers, not to mention energy forwards who’re anticipated to thrive within the trenches and alongside the boards. Take Exhibit-A as an illustration:

This one play sums up the duo’s dismal puck battle efforts. As simple as it’s responsible Luke Kunin for shedding the puck within the impartial zone, it will get via a number of layers of Sharks earlier than reaching Kunin’s stick. The odd-man rush was preventable with extra engaged play from Meier and Hertl on the forecheck.

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Meier does nicely taking the physique, however he fully quits on the play. That is simply horrible defensive consciousness on his half, lackadaisically retrieving a brand new stick from the bench whereas the opposition transitions on an odd-man rush. In the meantime, Hertl will get beat twice within the trenches, permitting a simple zone exit on his second feeble try regardless of outnumbering the opposition two to at least one for the unfastened puck. Because of their lackluster play, the puck finally ends up behind their web. If the Sharks need to flip their season round, Hertl and Meier might want to shoulder the load of bettering the group’s league-low 1.89 goals-for-per-game common.

Lack of Ahead Help within the Defensive ZoneIt takes all 5 gamers working in sync to orchestrate a clear breakout, however good offense typically begins with a crisp d-zone breakout. Success requires heavy again strain from the ahead assist, which is strictly what the Sharks’ prime duo hasn’t accomplished nicely sufficient to assist out their protection. Traces of their unfastened defensive assist can also be seen within the video above.

Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)It’s no coincidence that the Sharks’ points with clear d-zone exits stem from their prime scorers’ failure to assist the protection in their very own finish. Meier and Hertl each have to do a significantly better job of hustling again on the play to offer their defensemen with the mandatory assist on the back-check. They’ll have to implement heavier again strain as a extra dominant drive within the defensive zone in the event that they want to regain their scoring contact.

Again to Fundamentals for Sharks’ Star ForwardsThe expertise is undoubtedly there, so getting again to mastering the fundamentals is the important thing to the duo’s success going ahead. Meaning simplifying the sport. The Sharks will want all the assistance they will get, and bottom-line manufacturing from their highest-paid forwards isn’t going to get the job accomplished. In what’s been a worst-case-scenario begin for San Jose, all eyes are on Hertl and Meier to assist the Sharks flip the tide.

A lifelong Sharks fan protecting Sharks Hockey. At all times diving past the numbers and behind the scenes to carry you probably the most correct and in-depth information in Teal.

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