Getty Images
Dallas Stars defeat the San Jose Sharks 2-1.
Shots: Dallas 19, San Jose 32
PP: Dallas 1/2, San Jose 1/5
The Good:
Richard Bachman- He was stellar yet again, especially late in the game. Bachman made 31 saves on 32 shots. He made a number of huge saves in tight, and a couple on deflections, showing he was moving well with the puck. Bachman was at it again with rebound control. He kicked the puck out accurately and swallowed lots of pucks, eliminating a chance for the Sharks' big bodies near the crease. Below is a number of Bachman's best saves of the night:
Team defense- The Stars out-blocked the Sharks 30-10. They were hounding the puck carriers and it was great to see them cause the Sharks so much trouble just to get past the Stars' blue line. They were on their assignments for the most part and were all over their man when they had the puck. I absolutely loved Nystrom's diving block in the last minute of the game. That summed up the energy and determination of the team to get the win and be strong in front of Bachman.
Alex Chiasson- He keeps the streak going with his 6th goal in six games. This time it was a deflection in the slot on a point shot during a power play. It's good to see him scoring in a few different ways, so he doesn't stay on the same play for goals. Now that he's scored by driving the net, a wrist shot from the circle, a deflection from the slot and stuffing the puck in tight, he's making it more difficult for opponents to target him and shut him down.
Not only did Bachman make a tremendous kick save on Pavelski's one-timer, but he also made a sprawling save on a rebound attempt by Marleau.
This is a glimpse of the rebound attempt by Marleau after the Pavelski one-timer.
Bachman was great on rebound control. I thought this save showed it perfectly. He made a save with his shoulder and the puck landed to his left. He quickly jumped on it and covered it with his glove before Thornton could get his stick on it.
This was from Bachman's great save in the final seconds of the game. He made a save with his chest/shoulder, and the rebound attempt was kicked out by his right pad.
Team defense- The Stars out-blocked the Sharks 30-10. They were hounding the puck carriers and it was great to see them cause the Sharks so much trouble just to get past the Stars' blue line. They were on their assignments for the most part and were all over their man when they had the puck. I absolutely loved Nystrom's diving block in the last minute of the game. That summed up the energy and determination of the team to get the win and be strong in front of Bachman.
Nystrom dove in front of a slap shot in the final minute of the game to help ensure a win.
This isn't really team defense, but the picture has to do with puck pressure and hounding the players as mentioned above. Benn and Garbutt attacked Boyle at the blue line, stole it and had a great scoring opportunity that Niemi stopped.
Alex Chiasson- He keeps the streak going with his 6th goal in six games. This time it was a deflection in the slot on a point shot during a power play. It's good to see him scoring in a few different ways, so he doesn't stay on the same play for goals. Now that he's scored by driving the net, a wrist shot from the circle, a deflection from the slot and stuffing the puck in tight, he's making it more difficult for opponents to target him and shut him down.
Dallas goal #2- Eriksson passes the puck from the boards to Whitney at the blue line. He blasts a shot that Chiasson deflects in the slot.
Another angle of the Chiasson tip. Niemi was moving left to block the original shot by Whitney, but the deflection sent it to Niemi's right.
The Bad:
Power Play- The Stars went 1-for-5 on the night. That is way too low of a percentage, especially at home and against a playoff team. The units have been looking pretty good with puck movement and getting good chances, but they simply have to do one thing more: put the puck in the back of the net. Everything else is looking good, just finish it off.
Penalty Kill- The Stars ended the night 1-for-2. For a team who's strongest aspect was the PK early in the season, it has fallen off a little bit recently, especially at home. They've been letting the puck go through the box or the crease too easily and leaving a man open next to the net way too often. And tonight was no different.
San Jose goal #1- Gomez was first to a dump in in the left corner. He passed the puck to Gagliardi left of the net. Bachman stopped Gagliardi's shot, but the rebound popped out in front. Dillon wasn't able to tie up Burns and Eriksson narrowly narrowly missed while swiping at it to clear, and Burns backhanded it in.
Another angle where you can better see Eriksson missed the clearing attempt and Dillon got under Burns' stick, but not strong enough to stop the shot.
Faceoffs- Benn won 4 of 9, Fiddler won 7 of 16, Eakin won 8 of 17, Wandell won 1 of 4. Roussel, Cole and Chiasson combined to win 3 of 8.
Lines seen tonight:
Whitney-Benn-Chiasson
Fraser-Eakin-Eriksson
Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole
Garbutt-Wandell-Roussel
Daley-Robidas
Dillon-Goligoski
Rome-Larsen
PP- Eriksson-Benn-Chiasson-Whitney-Goligoski
PP- Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole-Daley-Robidas
PK- Fiddler-Nystrom-Daley-Robidas (Goligoski in when Robidas
in box)
PK- Roussel-Cole-Rome-Dillon
Notable Notes:
Dallas goal #1- Less than two minutes into the game, Daley passed the puck up the left boards to Nystrom at the San Jose blue line. He skated in a wristed a shot past Niemi's glove, off the right post and in.
Cole's huge hit in the second period.
An image of the scuffle that happened at the end of the game.
Going to miss this rivalry with San Jose next season.
Strange moment of the game: Robidas absorbed a hit from Desjardins and Robidas ended up riding on top of him until Desjardins stood up to get him off.
Derian "The Captain" Hatcher came back to Dallas for the first time in five years for his induction to the Dallas Stars 20th anniversary team.
Opening ceremonial faceoff.
The Captain!
No comments:
Post a Comment