[When it comes time to talk San Jose Sharks hockey, it’s time to Jump the Shark(ie). A column based on my thoughts, observations, and commentary on my favorite NHL franchise - and named in homage to one really crappy episode of Happy Days that more or less, signified the coming of the end ]

Let’s Get Acquainted
18 games played, which is just over one-fifth of the entire regular season. Right now the Sharks are sitting on top of the Pacific Division, once again leading the division in goals allowed. It’s a damn good thing too, because they are 21st in the NHL in goals scored per game, and their powerplay is mediocre in comparison to the rest of the league.

Down Notes
Pat-freakin’-Marleau. The trade rumors this offseason have definately come to a dramatic halt after Pat’s start this year. Marleau is almost tied for the worst plus/minus rating on the team with a -4 (the worst is Pat Rissmiller with a -7). In addition, the captain is on pace for a blistering 14 goal, 18 assist, 32 point season. That would amount to his lowest point total since his rookie year in 1997-98. So we all know that Marleau will eventually come out of this slump, but it would really help my faith in the team’s chances this offseason if I could see him start to click with some linemates to at least start setting up some goals again.

Also, other than a struggling powerplay, the Sharks just really aren’t creating that much offense. As I said before, they are 21st in goals scored per game, and just like it is with baseball and a stud pitcher on the mound; you are going to win some games, yes, but without run support that pitcher can only win so many games. Take that analogy and apply it to Evgeni Nabokov who currently boats a 2.15 GAA and .909 save percentage. That’s great, but it only works out if the Sharks are scoring 3 goals per game, which they aren’t (they are scoring 2.53 goals per game). So right now the Sharks are wasting a lot of quality efforts from their defense and goalies that should have been translating into wins.

On The Plus Side, I Knocked Over The Sunsphere
Devin Setoguchi is as big of a plus as I can think of. Right now, the rookie winger is tied for 8th in points on the team, yet has only played in 7 games; that’s less than half the games played by the 7 leading him in scoring. Ryan Clowe is another guy contributing without a lot of games under his belt; he has only played in 11 of the team’s 18 games and it also tied for 8th on the team in scoring. It’s way too early to tell, but their current numbers suggest they might be capable of 50+ points this year.

Another nice surprise is Jeremy Roenick, who for some reason decided to leave his massive ego in Phoenix when he came to San Jose. The center/ winger just tallied his 500th career goal and looks like he will easily surpass the grand point totals of 22 and 28 he amasses the past two seasons in LA and Phoenix. I guess the moral of the story here is to never question Doug Wilson before they hatch? That makes no sense, but then again neither does Roenick meshing with the Sharks.

Finally, I’ve got to pay some attention to two things going very well for the Sharks: the penalty kill and their goaltending. Right now, the team is 1st overall in the penalty kill. That right there is impressive on its own, but factor in the nice tidbit that the Sharks are 6th in penalty minutes against and it’s a cause for celebration. You know Nabby is a huge part of that stat right now, but I think you’ve also got to tip your hat to Dimitri Patzold who has looked good in limited action. Because of Nabby’s age and injury history, you have to expect that Patzold will have the net all to himself for at least a few weeks this year, and his .909 save percentage in limited action at least makes you rest a little easier at night; and again, with Patzold’s performances this year and Vesa Toskala’s lack thereof we have to make the statement that “In Doug We Trust”.

Okay, But What Does It All Mean
So yea. Let’s keep in mind that as well as the Sharks are doing right now, anything short of the Stanley Cup Finals will be a disappointment. That being said, and to probably state the obvious, the Sharks need to keep doing what they are doing defensively and in net… yet be able to figure out how to increase their scoring. If you look at the top two teams in each conference right now, all four are in the top 7 in goals per game; Detroit, Ottowa, and Carolina are the top three… and not-so-coincidentally are either 1 or 2 in their conferences.

So for now, it’s all about goals, goals, goals. Without them, the Sharks are going to waste a lot of quality games from Nabby and risk giving up home-ice advantage in the second-round of the playoffs… the same round that they have lost in 3 of their last 4 playoff appearances.