Final
Sharks-Red Wings Preview
Nov 12, 2015 - 9:25 PM The Detroit Red Wings haven't been generating many offensive chances, but they've made up for it with stout defensive play and an excellent penalty kill.That could mean bad news for the San Jose Sharks, who have performed well in five-on-five situations but continue to struggle on special teams ahead of Friday night's meeting at Joe Louis Arena.
Detroit (8-6-1) has won four of five while limiting opponents to five goals in those victories. The Red Wings held Washington scoreless Tuesday despite 38 shots - including 15 from Alex Ovechkin - and three power plays in a 1-0 home victory. Petr Mrazek improved to 4-1-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average in his last five starts, while rookie Andreas Athanasiou scored his first career goal in the third period.
Coach Jeff Blashill's team has been getting by despite ranking last in the league with 25.3 shots per game.
"We ground out two points," he said. "We still have to continue to hit the net more. But I thought we did lots of good stuff."
Detroit's penalty kill has made major strides, allowing two goals on 24 opportunities over the last seven contests. Previously, it had given up seven goals on 27 chances.
The Sharks are 3-8-0 since winning their first four games, scoring twice on 29 power plays while surrendering 10 on 31 opportunities. During the first four games, they scored three times on 15 chances and yielded one goal on 17 opponent power plays.
They're plus-4 at even strength while the Red Wings are minus-1.
San Jose lost 4-2 against the New York Islanders on Tuesday, finishing its homestand 1-3-0 despite recording at least 31 shots in each game. The Sharks trailed 2-0 after the first period and have been outscored 12-11 in the first 20 minutes this season.
"We're going to keep fighting. We're in games that are coming right down to the wire," captain Joe Pavelski, who is tied for the team lead with eight goals, told the Sharks' official website. "We're usually down a goal right now. Guys are working, just like tonight, we get back to within one. We want to play with the lead."
San Jose was scoreless on two power plays to fall to 0 for 21 at home. The Sharks' power play has at least shown signs of life on the road, scoring twice in 10 chances over the last five games.
They've also fared well recently in this series, winning 11 of the last 14 meetings, including seven of eight in Detroit. Joe Thornton has at least one point in 15 of his last 17 matchups, totaling eight goals and 13 assists, and Patrick Marleau has five goals and two assists in his last five in Detroit.
The Red Wings agreed with Justin Abdelkader on a seven-year extension Thursday worth almost $30 million. Abdelkader has four goals and seven assists after finishing with a career-high 44 points in 2014-15. He has just three points in 17 career meetings with San Jose.
- SAN JOSE: 3
DETROIT: 2
Final
Feb 26 4:48 PM - Goal scored by Teemu Pulkkinen assisted by Jakub Kindl and Tomas Tatar
Sharks 3, Red Wings 2 3rd - 1:52Nov 13 10:00 PM - SAN JOSE: 3
DETROIT: 2
Final
Nov 13 9:56 PM - SAN JOSE: 3
DETROIT: 2
End of Regulation
Nov 13 9:55 PM - End of 3rd Period.
Nov 13 9:55 PM - SAN JOSE: 3
DETROIT: 1
End of 2nd
Nov 13 9:06 PM - End of 2nd Period.
Nov 13 9:06 PM - Goal scored by Joe Pavelski assisted by Paul Martin and Justin Braun
Sharks 3, Red Wings 1 2nd - 9:37Nov 13 8:46 PM - SAN JOSE: 2
DETROIT: 1
End of 1st
Nov 13 8:12 PM - End of 1st Period.
Nov 13 8:11 PM - Goal scored by Matt Nieto assisted by Chris Tierney and Brenden Dillon
Sharks 2, Red Wings 1 1st - 2:08Nov 13 8:08 PM - Goal scored by Melker Karlsson assisted by Joe Thornton and Matt Tennyson
Sharks 1, Red Wings 1 1st - 12:19Nov 13 7:51 PM - Goal scored by Tomas Tatar assisted by Dylan Larkin and Niklas Kronwall
Sharks 0, Red Wings 1 1st - 16:47Nov 13 7:45 PM - SAN JOSE: 0
DETROIT: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Nov 13 7:43 PM - Tomas Hertl won faceoff against Dylan Larkin in neutral zone
Nov 13 7:39 PM - River this will be a good game like the red wings against the capitals
Sharks vs. Red WingsNov 11 8:45 AM
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