~~Blood in the Water (Reboot)~~ The Story of the San Jose Sharks...

[johnstone1987]

NHL Trade Deadline: LOS ANGELES Trades Winger Ilya Kovalchuk to MONTREAL...

February 29, 2020



With the NHL Trade Deadline upon us, the LA Kings are sending Winger Ilya Kovalchuk to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Goalie Nikolai Samsonov and a 2020 5th Round Pick.

Kovalchuk has been with the Kings since June of 2018.

In 65 Games this year for Los Angeles, Kovalchuk has 26 Goals and 21 Assists for 47 points. Los Angeles currently sits in 4th Place of the Pacific Division with 74 Points and holds a Wildcard Spot as the NHL enters it's Final Month.

Other Notable Trade at the Deadline is the Chicago Blackhawks Trade Defensemen Erik Gustafsson and a 2021 2nd Round Pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Center Connor McMichael and 2021 3rd Round Pick.

This marks another time Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has Traded a Player to Arizona after Toews last year.

[johnstone1987]

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: First NHL Team to clinch Stanley Cup Playoff Birth..


March 1, 2020


Written By: Adam Schefter




With the Trade Deadline behind us and the NHL enters its final Month, the Pittsburgh Penguins have officially punched their Ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 14th straight year dating back to the 2006-2007 Season.

Pittsburgh(50-10-5) have been on a redemption path this Season after losing Captain Sidney Crosby last year in which the Pens lost to the New York Rangers in 5 Games in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With Crosby back from a major Concussion, Pittsburgh has blown up the NHL this year and hold 105 Points entering March. The Pens are more than likely to clinch Home Ice as they hold a 13 Point cushion over second place Boston.

The Penguins are rocking a 9 Game Winning Streak entering the Final Month.

[johnstone1987]

AROUND THE LEAGUE-FEBRUARY RECAP 2020


THE SCORE

-Pittsburgh are on a MISSION..50 Wins and 105 Points entering March. First Team to clinch Playoff Berth.

-Ducks lead Pacific Division and have 41 Wins entering March.

-Wild lead Central Division

-Boston still in command of Atlantic Division with Buffalo, Toronto, and Tampa climbing into Playoff Picture.

-Vegas continues to drop as Gerard Gallant maybe on the hot seat.


~~STANDINGS~~

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks(41-19-4)(86 Points)

San Jose Sharks(36-20-8)(80 Points)

Arizona Coyotes(33-21-10)(76 Points)

Los Angeles Kings(33-25-8)(74 Points)

Edmonton Oilers(31-29-3)(65 Points)

Vegas Golden Knights(27-28-9)(63 Points)

Calgary Flames(25-28-11)(61 Points)

Vancouver Canucks(20-41-3)(43 Points)


Central Division

Minnesota Wild(39-20-5)(83 Points)

St. Louis Blues(35-20-12)(82 Points)

Dallas Stars(38-23-4)(80 Points)

Nashville Predators(35-21-8)(78 Points)

Winnipeg Jets(35-26-3)(73 Points)

Colorado Avalanche(32-25-7)(71 Points)

Chicago Blackhawks(19-37-8)(46 Points)


Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins(44-15-4)(92 Points)

Buffalo Sabres(37-22-4)(78 Points)

Toronto Maple Leafs(36-23-6)(78 Points)

Tampa Bay Lightning(35-26-3)(73 Points)

Ottawa Senators(32-27-5)(69 Points)

Montreal Canadiens(32-28-3)(67 Points)

Florida Panthers(29-28-7)(65 Points)

Detroit Red Wings(12-48-4)(28 Points)


Metropolitan Division

X-Pittsburgh Penguins(50-10-5)(105 Points)

New York Islanders(32-23-10)(74 Points)

Carolina Hurricanes(32-25-7)(71 Points)

Columbus Blue Jackets(31-27-6)(68 Points)

Philadelphia Flyers(30-29-5)(65 Points)

Washington Capitals(29-31-4)(62 Points)

New York Rangers(28-30-6)(62 Points)

New Jersey Devils(26-31-6)(58 Points)


LEAGUE LEADERS

Goals: Joseph Keeler(Montreal)(45)

Assists: Sidney Crosby(Pittsburgh)(66)

Points: Sidney Crosby(Pittsburgh)(108)

Wins: Matt Murray(Pittsburgh)(41)

Shutouts: Tukka Rask(Boston)(7)

[johnstone1987]

February TOP 10


1. Pittsburgh Penguins(50-10-5)

Last Month: 1.



The Penguins continue to surge though the Season racking up 50 Wins and 105 Points entering the final Month. Pittsburgh is more than likely to clinch the President's Trophy as well as Home Ice Advantaged for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Crosby and Company continue to blow up the Stats and Matt Murray has 41 Wins. Mike Sullivan is more than likely adding another Jack Adams Award under his belt and the Playoffs will be going through the Steel City in the East it looks like.

2. Boston Bruins(44-15-4)

Last Month: 3.



The Bruins continue to climb jumping up to #2 entering March. Boston holds a 4 point cushion in the Atlantic Division over Buffalo. Tukka Rask leads the NHL in Shutouts and Boston should wrap up another Division Title. If theres any Team in the East that should contend with Pittsburgh it's Boston. The Bruins are out for redemption of their own after being swept by Toronto last Spring. Boston should clinch another trip to the Playoffs in March.

3. Anaheim Ducks(41-19-4)

Last Month: 4.



Anaheim is running away with the Pacific Division as the Ducks continue to surge up the rankings jumping up to the #3 spot on our list. Anaheim has really made some noise in February where they are currently the best Team in the Western Conference entering March. A Division Title for the Ducks will more than give them more confidence as they look to make a deep Playoff run after losing to San Jose in the Second Round last year. As far as the Western Conference goes, the Playoffs may run through the Southern California Pond.


4. Minnesota Wild(39-20-5)

Last Month: 2.



Minnesota drops to #4 this Month after cooling off a bit in February. But don't worry Wild Fans, Bruce Boudreau has your Hockey Club still leading the Central Division but the Blues have climbed back into the Hunt with a hot February. The Wild lead the Central by 1 point over St. Louis. Minnesota has had a redemption year and is still a threat to win the Central and make another push for Lord Stanley after San Jose swept them in the First Round last year. It's going to be a dog fight in the final Month between Minnesota and the Central Division as St. Louis and Dallas continue to climb.

5. Dallas Stars(38-23-4)

Last Month: 7.



Dallas jumps up to the #5 Spot after an impressive February where the Stars are just 3 points away from First place in the Central Division. Big D is looking to punch their Ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2015-2016 Season. The Stars have been on a tear in February winning 10 Games to climb their way back into the Playoff race. Entering March Dallas is in Third Place in the Central behind Minnesota and St. Louis. Last month they sat in 5th. Jim Montgomery has Big D making noise.



6. San Jose Sharks(36-20-8)

Last Month: 5.



The defending Champions continue to drop falling to #6 as San Jose continues to have some struggles. Martin Jones struggles between the pipes continues and the Sharks lose games with Jones allowing more and more Goals. The Sharks are still in Second Place behind Anaheim and should clinch another trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs where they look to defend their Crown.

7. Los Angeles Kings(33-25-8)

Last Month: 6



Los Angeles drops to 7 this month after a solid February. The Kings are still in the Playoff Picture and in possession of the Second Wildcard spot in the West. LA sits in 4th Place in the Pacific Division. If the Kings keep winning then they should clinch a Berth back to the Playoffs after missing out last year.

8. Carolina Hurricanes(32-25-7)


Last Month: 9



Carolina continues to climb as March approaches. The Hurricanes have taken a massive step this year after missing out on the Playoffs last year for the 10th year in a row. Rod Brind-Amour has really made an impact this Season for Carolina. Carolina continues to push for a spot in the Playoffs but cooled down a bit in February. However the Canes are still in a good spot entering the final Month of the year as they sit in 3rd Place in the Metropolitan Division and 7th in the Eastern Conference. Carolina should finish strong in March.

9. Arizona Coyotes(33-21-10)

Last Month: N/A



Arizona is back on our list for the first time since December. The Coyotes stayed in the middle of the Pacific Division in and out of a Wildcard spot. Arizona tore it up in February and enter March with 76 Points and a 3rd place spot in the Pacific. Jonathan Toews has done wonders in the Desert and March looks to be crucial for the Coyotes as they look to clinch a Playoff Berth.

10. Buffalo Sabres(37-22-4)

Last Month: N/A



Buffalo is cracking the Top 10 for the first time this year as Darryl Sutter has his Club in 3rd Place in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo is 4 points behind Boston for the Atlantic Division Title entering March. Sutter has done wonders in Western New York as he looks to turn the Sabres into a Eastern Contender. If Buffalo keeps winning in March then they will make another trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

[johnstone1987]

SHARKS shutout Avalanche 5-0...





3/1/20






San Jose, CA- Martin Jones(23-17-6) had 28 saves to get his 3rd Shutout of the year as the San Jose Sharks(37-20-8) continue to chase Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead as March kicks off.

The Sharks trail their California Rivals by 6 Points after their 5-0 Shutout over the Colorado Avalanche(33-26-7) on Sunday Night to keep pace for the Division Title.

Colorado drops to 10th Place in the Western Conference Playoff Race 2 points behind Winnipeg for the final Wildcard.

"It was a blow for sure but luckily it wasn't the knockout punch. We still have a Month to play." Avalanche Head Coach Jerad Bednar stated.

San Jose(37-20-8) got on the board 1-0 in just 57 Seconds when Captain Joe Pavelski scored his 30th Goal of the year.

2nd Year James Carr scored his 11th of the year for the Sharks 2-0 lead inside the SAP Center.

"Getting on the board first really set the tone for how we wanted to play. Get up fast on them and control the Game." Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer said.

In the Second Period the Sharks continued their onslaught when William Karlsson(26) and Joe Pavelski(31) both scored to give the Fins a 4-0 lead over Colorado.

James Carr(12) scored again in the Third Period for the 5-0 win. The Avalanche continued to stick with Goalie Phillipp Grubauer(14-6-1) who had 17 Saves and allowed all 5 Goals with Jimmy Howard on the bench.

"Jimmy's done a lot for us this Season. It was the right call." Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar stated.

San Jose(37-20-8) will host the Ottawa Senators(33-27-5) on Wednesday Night.

The Sens are in the Playoff Hunt currently holding onto the final Wildcard Spot in the Eastern Conference.

[johnstone1987]

SENATORS storm back to knock off SHARKS 3-2 in Overtime..




3/4/20







San Jose, CA- The Ottawa Senators(34-27-5) continue their surge this year for a Playoff spot after knocking off the Stanley Cup Champion, San Jose Sharks(37-20-9).

Ottawa(34-27-5) entered the new campaign this Season with a new look after missing the Playoffs the past 2 years and going all in this past Off-Season winning the Sergei Bobrovsky Sweepstakes.

The Sens also signed Henry Ecker to a 5 year Deal as Ottawa is looking for a future Dynasty in the Canadian Captial. The 20 year old Ecker has 17 Goals and 43 Assists while Sergei Bobrovsky has 29 Wins and 4 Shutouts.

"It's all coming together this Season for us. Still a lot of Hockey left to play but we have our sights on that Playoff spot." Senators Head Coach Dave Hakstol stated.

Hakstol is in his first year in Ottawa after Guy Boucher was fired. Ottawa still holds the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 1 point cushion over Columbus.

Ottawa Goalie Craig Anderson had 17 saves tonight to help knock off the Sharks. Martin Jones had 30 Saves.

Sharks Winger Barclay Goodrow(7) scored first for a 1-0 lead with 13 seconds left in the First Period.

Senators Mikkel Boedker tied it up in the Second Period with his 22nd Goal of the year.

San Jose took the lead midway through the Third Period when Joe Pavelski(32) scored.

But with 19 Seconds left in the Game, Marian Gaborik scored to tie it up at 2 and send it into Overtime. His 17th Goal of the campaign.

In OT, Ecker scores.

"Rough way for us to lose." Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer stated. "Giving up that Game tying Goal then the Overtime Goal like that."

Sharks DefenseMan Brent Burns was roughed up in a Fight and left for the Locker Room midway through the Second Period. An Evaluation is scheduled this Week.

San Jose(37-20-9) will host the Winnipeg Jets(36-27-3) on Friday Night who are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

[johnstone1987]

SHARKS hold off JETS 3-2 to wrap up Home Stand...





RECAP 3/6/20





San Jose, CA- Backup Goalie Joey Backstrom had 28 Saves, Evander Kane hits 30 Goals and the San Jose Sharks(38-20-9) hold off the Winnipeg Jets(36-28-3) 3-2 on Friday Night inside the SAP Center to wrap up a 4 Game Homestand.

Evander Kane(30) scored first to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.

The Goal was Kane's 30th for just the second time in his NHL Career. The last time was 2011-2012 Season.

"It's always a great feeling when you hit 30. It's been a little while for me." Kane joked.

Winnipeg Rookie Sami Niku tied it up moments later with his 4th Goal of the year. The 23 Year Old was all smiles.

"He's contributed quite a bit his year for us." Jets Head Coach Paul Maurice stated.

"They tied it up but we kept our foot on the gas. They're a resilient Team for sure." Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer stated.

San Jose(38-20-9) pulled away in the Second Period with Goals from Justin Callahan(22) and Tomas Hertl(16) giving the Stanley Cup Champions a 3-1 lead.

Late in the Third Period, Mark Scheifele(14) scored on the Power Play to cut the lead 3-2 in favor of San Jose.

Blake Wheeler took a huge hit from Sharks Defenseman Brendan Burns and didn't return.

Wheeler is set for a evaluation back in Canada. Jets Rookie Mason Appleton is out with a Broken Leg until April 29th.

Sharks Defenseman Brent Burns was injured in the Overtime loss to the Senators after breaking his nose in a Fight. He's due back March 16th.

San Jose(38-20-9) will head to Western Canada on Sunday Night to meet the Calgary Flames(26-30-11).

[johnstone1987]