Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres was supposed to be a confidence-booster for the San Jose Sharks. Instead, the Sharks hit a new low in 2014-15 as Buffalo beat them 2-1, handing San Jose its fourth consecutive regulation loss.
If you want an idea of how glum things were, just take a look at some of the observations that came when the game was merely tied 0-0 heading into the third period:
At the @SanJoseSharks game with my son. Almost the end of 2nd period and no goals yet. Shots are 12-8. Never heard the tank so quiet.
— Owen Nolan (@OwenNolan11) October 25, 2014
BREAKING: #SJSharks might have to fire McLellan after this one.
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) October 25, 2014
Sharks, we need to talk
— Jen LC (@RegressedPDO) October 25, 2014
As the only “matinee” game on Saturday, many in the hockey world witnessed the Sharks sleepwalking through much of this contest. While it’s true that San Jose carried a 14-9 shot advantage through two periods, it’s difficult to deny the impression that they didn’t really “turn things on” until Buffalo opened up scoring.
For all the talk of Alex Stalock unseating Antti Niemi, it’s reasonable to say that he’d like one (if not both) of these goals back:
Jeremy Roenick did not give the Sharks a good review:
I just turned on Sharks game! Are u serious???? Losing to buffalo??? 3 loses in a row and now losing to second worse team in the league?
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) October 25, 2014
Embarrassing
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) October 25, 2014
This fact via the Mercury News’ David Pollak adds wallet-based injury to all the insults:
On top of everything else, #SJSharks sellout streak ends. Crowd announced at 17,370 -- 192 short.
— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) October 25, 2014
With four losses in a row and five defeats in their last six games, the Sharks’ season-opening three-game winning streak feels like a distant memory. The rest of October doesn’t look very friendly, either, with these three road games coming up:
Sunday: at Anaheim
Tuesday: at Colorado
Thursday: at Minnesota
One positive spin on the upcoming challenge:
Vlasic: "Good news is we play tomorrow, against one of the best teams in the league. We have a good opportunity to get out of it." #SJSharks
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 25, 2014
Is it too early to wonder if the next organizational meltdown is coming?