The Sharks’ weak defense will face a tough test when they host the high-scoring Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
Winnipeg is averaging 3.66 goals per game, and 12 Jets players have at least 11 points. This balanced offense, combined with excellent goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck (2.11 goals-against average, .926 save percentage), has helped the Jets rise to the top of the Western Conference.
In contrast, the struggling Sharks are allowing 3.45 goals per game and 32.5 shots per game, which are among the highest in the NHL.
The difference between the two teams was clear in their first meeting of the season, when the Jets dominated the Sharks 8-3 in Winnipeg on October 18. The eight goals were the most the Jets scored in a game and the most the Sharks have allowed this season.
San Jose is 1-4-0 in its last five games, including a tough 4-3 home loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday. Utah outshot the Sharks 40-22, and Clayton Keller scored a power-play goal with just 44 seconds left to win the game.
In the third period, Utah outshot San Jose 17-4, even though Fabian Zetterlund’s power-play goal gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead five minutes into the period. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky felt his team lacked a “killer instinct” after taking the lead, saying, “we just stopped playing.”
“We looked for someone else to do each other’s jobs. … We get on our heels and we wait for bad stuff to happen. And it’s just a bad way to play this game,” he said.
Vitek Vanecek stopped 36 of 40 shots in the loss on Saturday, trying his best to stop Utah’s pressure. Vanecek could start again on Tuesday, or the Sharks may give Alexandar Georgiev his second start since joining the team.
The Jets are 4-1-1 in their last six games, coming off a 4-2 home win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Winnipeg was led by strong special teams, as their penalty-kill unit was perfect, stopping all four power-play opportunities, and the power-play unit scored twice on six chances.
“That’s how you win in this league,” Hellebuyck said about the special teams. “Especially at this time, when things are getting tighter and teams are figuring out their game and bouncing back from bad games or whatnot. Your big guys have got to bring their A-game on a consistent basis.”
The penalty-kill shutout ended a streak of five straight games where the Jets allowed at least one power-play goal. While the penalty kill has been a weak spot for the Jets, their power play is the best in the NHL at 30.3 percent as of Monday.
Since Winnipeg plays the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, Hellebuyck and backup goalie Eric Comrie will likely share the goaltending duties in the back-to-back games.
Kyle Connor leads the Jets with 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists). Mikael Granlund is the Sharks’ top point scorer with 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists).
No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini is living up to the hype in his rookie season with 10 goals and 10 assists in his first 21 NHL games. He also has five points (two goals, three assists) during a current three-game point streak.
