Teal Progress

I couldn't be much happier with the Sharks right now. I just wanted to put that out there.

The team is playing really well right now, that much is obvious. What needs a reminder, however, is that we all truly knew the team could do it. Goaltending and defense were everyone's deficit du jour at the beginning of the season, but a commitment to team ideals has significantly improved.

I have always imagined that Dany Heatley was selfish with the puck (since I didn't see him play very often), but I have been wrong about him. He's shown time and time again that he's willing to give up on a shot attempt if the pass is the better play. He's also been backchecking like crazy all season long. Sure, he gets burned occasionally, but no one is perfect.

Joe Thornton has been a revelation this year, too. He's still dishing the puck to every recipient he can find, willing and not, but it's not all been from the half-boards. He used to set up behind the goal, like he was pretending to be Gretzky, but now those passes are from everywhere on the ice. Need a puck taken out of the d-zone? Look out, here comes Jumbo. Wanna hit a stretch pass to expose the pinching defensemen? Joe's already halfway to the goalie. The only complaint about Joe is that he's not usually the one bringing the puck into the offensive zone. He can steal the puck in the corner, rush it up ice, but then he crosses the blue line and laterally passes to a winger. I'd like to see him bring that right in on the goalie. Dealing with what's been happening already, though, he should be dishing off and then parking in front of the net. Unfortunately, he typically skates by the net and sets up behind, waiting to begin the cycle.

I'm sure he's not making that decision entirely on his own. I understand the philosophy of Todd McLellan, but sometimes it would be nice to apply direct pressure on the goalie instead of cycling around, playing the perimeter game, and trying to sneak shots through from the point. It's been working lately, but the direct method mixed in there, too, would make us a much more dangerous team.

Tonight we face Calgary. Beating them in regulation would more or less end their season. I think that's a fair trade-off for the 2007 playoffs. All right, Sharks, go get them!