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Pavelski says Sharks’ struggles are on ‘everybody’

Calgary Flames v San Jose Sharks

Calgary Flames v San Jose Sharks

NHLI via Getty Images

Despite glimpses of the team that was once a regular-season juggernaut, the San Jose Sharks have inspired plenty of doubt in 2014-15. It sounds like they crisis of confidence extends to the locker room, too.

The Calgary Flames leapfrogged over the Sharks for second place in the Pacific Division with Monday’s 4-1 win, representing a decisive - maybe merciful - end to the two teams’ season series.

While the two teams are still tightly matched, the Flames dominated the five games between the teams, as the Sharks managed three out of a possible 10 standings points (going 1-3-1).

A banged-up defense was one thing that was cited in the loss, but Joe Pavelski’s among those who believe that the Sharks need improvements in every facet of their game, as he told CSNBayArea.com.

“Bottom line is it’s on everybody,” Pavelski said. “We weren’t good enough. Not one guy, not 20. We’ve got to find it.”

Maybe the Flames just represent a tough matchup for the Sharks, but standings points and final scores weren’t the only numbers that are a little troubling for San Jose. Consider this: Calgary sports a +19 goal differential this season, while the Sharks have only scored one more goal (154) than they’ve allowed (153).

Some of that might be chalked up to “puck luck” - their fairly low PDO argues as much - but it seems like the Sharks are slipping from an elite possession team to a merely good one.

Long story short, the Sharks’ margin for error might be shrinking, so Pavelski may be right that it’s ultimately on everyone (even if one might argue that certain facets of the roster are holding up their end of the bargain better than others).

Check out this CSNBayArea.com video for more on the Sharks’ struggles.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins