San Jose Sharks: What is wrong with the team right now and how to fix it?
By Justin Fried
The San Jose Sharks’ 2019-20 season hasn’t gotten off to the start that many would have hoped for. After falling to 0-2, what is wrong with this Sharks team right now?
The San Jose Sharks have stumbled out of the starting gate for the 2019-20 season in a way that few could have seen coming. And now after a home-and-home tilt against the Vegas Golden Knights to start the season, the Sharks sit at a woeful 0-2.
But it’s not just their record that’s concerning, it’s how they’ve reached that point.
The Sharks didn’t just lose their first two games, they were mercilessly manhandled. After losing 4-1 in the team’s season opener on Wednesday night, the Sharks came back and layed an egg in front of their home crowd on Friday.
San Jose went down 2-0 early on and the Knights poured it on with two more goals in the second period as the Sharks went on to lose 5-1 in their home opener.
It’s a disappointing start for a Sharks team that had plenty of reasons for optimism going into the season. Despite losing their captain Joe Pavelski in the offseason, the team managed to return numerous key pieces such as Erik Karlsson, Timo Meier, and Kevin Labanc.
And after falling just short of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance last season, hopes were high that the Sharks could return to the postseason once again and make another run at securing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup victory.
More from San Jose Sharks
- San Jose Sharks have reportedly ‘checked in’ on free agent RW Bobby Ryan
- San Jose Sharks reportedly plan to move on from Aaron Dell
- San Jose Sharks not expected to buyout goalie Martin Jones
- San Jose Sharks officially name Bob Boughner head coach
- San Jose Sharks: Doug Wilson needs to step up with Bob Boughner
But after two games, the Sharks should be more concerned with remaining competitive than the postseason.
Yes, it’s far too early to make any declarative statements about the state of this Sharks team. After all, Vegas has a very good roster from top to bottom and they too made it to the postseason last year only to blow a 3-1 series lead to San Jose.
But the problem is that Vegas looks just as good, if not better than last year. The Sharks, on the other hand, appear much worse for wear.
Turnovers have been a major issue for the Sharks so far as the team has made its fair share of bone-headed errors. Whether it’s been defensive miscues, errant passes entering the zone, or simply foolish penalties, the Sharks don’t appear to be mentally ready for the regular season.
The special teams have been another huge concern for the Sharks through the first two games. Thus far, the Sharks are 0-for-10 on the powerplay this season looking out of sorts and scrambled on the attack.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
Instead of setting up shop with high-quality puck movement and shots, the Sharks are instead settling for blue-line slapshots — seemingly a sign of the team’s growing frustration.
That is when the Sharks can even carry the puck into the offensive zone as far too many turnovers have occurred in transition to this point. Granted, the Golden Knights are a notoriously excellent transition team but that shouldn’t be used as an excuse.
The Sharks are a mess offensively, defensively, and in net through three games. There are few silver linings to take away from what has been a pretty embarrassing start to their season.
Fortunately, the season is still young and San Jose won’t have to waste any time getting a potential shot at redemption as they will take on the Anaheim Ducks later tonight.
Next. San Jose Sharks: Top 3 players to be excited for this season. dark
There’s still plenty of time to right their wrongs, but it’s safe to say that the San Jose Sharks season hasn’t gotten off to the start that the team or its fans would have hoped.