The Sharks have reached or eclipsed 50 shots in a game six times this season, including on Tuesday night when they lost to the Florida Panthers, 3-2. San Jose recorded 29 shots alone in the third period, a new franchise record for most shots over one frame.
In fact, according to Sharks stats guru Darin Stephens, the Sharks’ six games of 50-plus shots in one season is the third highest total of any team since the expansion era (1967-68). Only the 1975-76 Flyers (eight times) and 1970-71 Bruins (10 times) had more.
Unfortunately for San Jose, shots haven’t always equaled success. In a strong candidate for oddest stat of the season, the club has now somehow lost it’s last four games when getting at least 50 shots on goal.
Roberto Luongo stopped 52 of the 54 attempts he faced on Tuesday, many of which were not difficult. Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton talked about that aspect of the Sharks’ game after the defeat, which ended a six-game Sharks winning streak.
“I’m sure there’s going to be talk of maybe getting in front of the goalie a little bit more, but other times it’s just missing the net,” Boyle said. “We missed some chances. Some of that is execution.”
Thornton said: “Lu played well. He made some good stops. That’s what he does. He’s a world-class goalie. I thought we could do a little bit better getting in his eyes, but he played well.”
The previous team record for shots in a period was 26, set in Chicago on October 4, 1999. They have reached 50 shots on goal 14 times in franchise history, with 13 of those coming under head coach Todd McLellan.
The Sharks lead the NHL in shots on goal per game with 35.0.
Sharks 50-plus shot games, 2013-14
Oct. 5 vs. Phoenix, 51 shots, 4-1 win
Oct. 12 vs. Ottawa, 50 shots, 3-2 win
Nov. 2 vs. Phoenix, 50 shots, 3-2 shootout loss
Nov. 5 vs. Buffalo, 51 shots, 5-4 shootout loss
Jan. 29 at Edmonton, 59 shots, 3-0 loss
March 18 vs. Florida, 54 shots, 3-2 loss
