In the Paint: The Sharks surprise

The Sharks played against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday with a positive result coming the Sharks’ way. Logan Couture started off the game with a great wrap-around goal that boggled Montreal goaltender Carey Price. Montreal scored a goal off of a defensive turnover by San Jose, finishing the play with a shot so fast you could barely see it go in. This game was very back and forth with the Sharks scoring another goal. Four shots made it past the goalies just in the second period alone, with San Jose scoring three of them. The assistant captain Joe Thornton shot in the final goal on an empty net. The Sharks getting off tons of shots, winning more faceoffs, and putting pressure on the Canadiens defense was the key to San Jose winning the game.

On Friday, San Jose was on their first road trip of the season facing off against the Devils, one of the top teams so far this season. Melker Karlsson scored first for the Sharks, making the game one nothing. Martin Jones denied shot after shot all game, coming from inside the slot. In the second period Sharks captain Joe Pavelski tipped one in from a slapshot by Justin Braun. Still in the second with a minute left, Joonas Donskoi took a shot and got blocked, but swiftly picked up the rebound and scored backhand. San Jose came close to another goal but the Devils’ tendy Keith Kinkaid stopped the rebounds this time. Martin Jones earned his first shutout of this season carrying the team to a 3-0 victory.

San Jose had a surprisingly good week winning both games and one against a team way ahead of them in the standings. They capitalized on their scoring opportunities and played excellent defense at the same time, which will greatly benefit them. The average age of San Jose is 27 years old, so beating young teams like New Jersey will be tough, hopefully they will continue their efforts and move up in the standings.