The San Jose Sharks lost 3-2 to the New York Rangers on Thursday, but they had moments they would like back.
Here are my three takeaways from the game:
1. Powerplay gone missing
The Sharks went 1/3 on the powerplay tonight, with their one powerplay goal being a six-on-four situation. In their other two powerplays, they hurt themselves with a penalty to negate the man advantage or didn’t convert chances.
“I mean, we need to get more pucks and have more attack,” Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “We’ll take a look at it.”
Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren, who scored his first goal as a member of the team, said the team needs to start shooting the puck more and getting it back right after to tire out the penalty killers.
2. Celebrini and Smith will be fine
Macklin Celebrini hasn’t had a point in his last three games, which is okay. Will Smith hasn’t had a point since his assist three games ago. They are young players. They will need to be producers soon, but they are creating chances, and the more experience they get under their belts, the better they will be.
“He does some good things with the puck. There is still some learning curve. He needs to understand the little details, the puck play, getting into 50-50 races, and winning pucks, but he’s done some good things with the puck,” Warsofsky said about Celebrini. “I think he’s still trying to find his way a little bit. He’s obviously going to be a special player.”
3. Puck management remains an issue
Warsofsky has preached better puck management from his team. Turnovers and giveaways lead to high-quality chances against them and cost them games. San Jose carried play for the majority of the first period, but the puck play issues led to three goals against in the second period.
“We mismanaged some pucks, and a good team like that will make you pay,” Warsofsky said. “We didn’t do that in the first and that’s why we had success. But we mismanaged pucks, soft puck play, and it’s in the back of our net.”
Extra Takeaway: Nico Sturm
Nico Sturm left the game midway through the second period and did not return with an upper-body injury. Warsofsky did not have an update after the game.
The Sharks will face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday to finish their four-game road trip.
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