Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Sharks still hurting for goals entering showdown with Stars
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 - 1:00pm
Follow @kkurzcsn

Programming note: Stars-Sharks coverage begins tonight at 7 p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live on Comcast SportsNet California

SAN JOSE -- Leave it to Dan Boyle for an honest answer to the question, what do the Sharks have to do to get out of their scoring slump?

“If we could fix it, we’d do it. I don’t know. We obviously don’t know,” Boyle said.

“We look at film, and try to figure out why. Individually, we’re all trying to figure out why. I think the first thing you’ve got to look at is are you earning chances? If you’re not doing that, then there’s something you’re going to have to change. If you are and it’s just not going in, it’s more a matter of time.”

To review, San Jose has dropped four of its last five games headed into Wednesday’s match with Dallas, scoring just four goals over that span. In losses to Los Angeles, Calgary and Philadelphia, the chances weren’t there.

They had plenty in a 3-0 loss to Edmonton on Jan. 29 in which they generated a franchise-record 59 shots, and in last Saturday’s win against Chicago, San Jose earned a 2-1 shootout victory with a tight defensive effort.

[REWIND: Sharks shut out by Scrivens, Oilers]

Monday’s endeavor in the 5-2 loss to the Flyers was the most discouraging. San Jose generated just 22 shots on goal, the second-fewest they’ve had all season, and Todd McLellan was critical of his team’s work ethic.

[REWIND: No signs of panic after bad Sharks loss]

The head coach pointed to that facet of the game when asked the same question as Boyle.

“First decision we’ve got to make is whether or not we want to work,” McLellan said. “We didn’t make that decision against Philly. I know it’s a different day and a new opponent, but until that decision is made and we decide we all want to compete together for a full 60, it really doesn’t matter what else we have as far as game plan goes.”

Dallas enters Wednesday with a 5-1-1 mark in its last seven games. It has outscored its opponent 24-9 over that span, and will be playing the second of a back-to-back after a 3-1 win in Phoenix on Tuesday night.

“I think it starts with defending. We’re defending pretty well,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “When you make it tough to play against and the opposition finds it hard to get chances, it’s a good step to turn things around.”

Unlike the Sharks, who are locked into second place in the Pacific Division for the foreseeable future, Dallas is fighting to get into playoff position. It is now just two points behind Vancouver for the second wild card spot.

[RELATED: NHL standings]

Claiming that spot before the league shuts down could be a motivating factor for Dallas, while the Sharks could perhaps be a bit too comfortable.

“Right now, the jump we have in our game is minimal,” McLellan said. “The tenacity level that Dallas has is at a maximum right now, I believe.”

The Sharks’ final game before the Olympic break is Friday against Columbus, another team fighting for a playoff spot.

Boyle said: “We’ve got two games left at home here before the break. Obviously, we want to put four points in the bank and get away from here feeling a little bit better about ourselves.”

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Jackson on young team: We're in air we've never been in before'
Green: 'We're at our best when we're having fun'
McLellan's tenure with Sharks: 'It’s really flown by quickly'
Marleau: 'The chances have been there'

Giants

NL West offense rankings: No.1 -- Dodgers
Report: Diamondbacks agree to terms with Arroyo
A-Rod withdraws lawsuit to overturn suspension
Free agent Arroyo's price comes down
Read More

Athletics

MLB: 10 prospects to monitor this spring training
A's grant Crisp two-year extension
A's 2014 television schedule; 146 games on CSN
Rodney, Mariners agree to two-year deal
Read More

Sharks

McLellan still evolving as he sets Sharks franchise mark
Sharks' Marleau struggling since contract extension
Sharks hope to go into break on high note
In the Crease: Sharks host Jackets in final game before break
Read More

49ers

49ers' Roman believes 'time will come' for head coaching job
49ers not likely to make big splash in free agency
Rams owner Kroenke could use L.A. land for MLS team
Former 49ers WR Morgan wants to return to Redskins
Read More

Raiders

Raiders re-sign guard Lamar Mady
Simplifying Raiders' complex cap situation
RB Bernard: Hue Jackson will have 'craziest playbook ever'
Raiders formalize staff, hire four new assistants
Read More

Warriors

Five Warriors miss Friday practice
Rewind: Warriors win with another testament to defense
Curry to pair up with father in Shooting Stars event
Instant Replay: Warriors overcome slow start to beat Bulls
Read More

NCAA

Cal student-athlete Ted Agu passes away at 21
Hot shooting Saint Mary's rolls past LMU
BYU blows out Santa Clara
Dons drop Toreros in San Diego
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

NL West offense rankings: No.1 -- Dodgers
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Report: Diamondbacks agree to terms with Arroyo
(2)
A-Rod withdraws lawsuit to overturn suspension
(1)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: Kruk and Kuip expect bounce-back year from Cain
YSTL: Kruk and Kuip expect bounce-back year from Cain
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Free agent Arroyo's price comes down
Diamondbacks kick off MLB spring training

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

MLB: 10 prospects to monitor this spring training
Ali Thanawalla

More Stories

A's grant Crisp two-year extension
(1)
A's 2014 television schedule; 146 games on CSN
(1)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Eric Sogard vs. Alberto Callaspo
Eric Sogard vs. Alberto Callaspo
See more >

A's TALK

Rodney, Mariners agree to two-year deal
MLB preseason power rankings: A's crack Top 5
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

McLellan still evolving as he sets Sharks franchise mark
(1)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks' Marleau struggling since contract extension
(2)
Sharks hope to go into break on high note
(1)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

McLellan's tenure with Sharks: 'It’s really flown by quickly'
McLellan's tenure with Sharks: 'It’s really flown by quickly'
See more >

Features

In the Crease: Sharks host Jackets in final game before break
Sharks notes: Nieto injured, McLellan to set mark

SHARKS INSIDER

  • McLellan still evolving as he sets Sharks franchise mark
  • Sharks' Marleau struggling since contract extension
  • Sharks hope to go into break on high note
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Five Warriors miss Friday practice
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Rewind: Warriors win with another testament to defense
(2)
Curry to pair up with father in Shooting Stars event
(2)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Jackson on young team: We're in air we've never been in before'
Jackson on young team: We're in air we've never been in before'
See more >

Features

Instant Replay: Warriors overcome slow start to beat Bulls
Lillard to compete in all five All-Star events

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Kings vs. Celtics
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Stevens: 'Doesn’t look like' Rondo will play vs. Kings
Kings visit Celtics eying three-game winning streak
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Gay, Cousins lead Kings to win over Raptors
Highlights: Gay, Cousins lead Kings to win over Raptors
See more >

Features

LeBron James teams up with Starz for comedy series
Commissioner Silver confident in Kings' arena plan

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

49ers' Roman believes 'time will come' for head coaching job
ProFootballTalk

More Stories

49ers not likely to make big splash in free agency
(102)
Rams owner Kroenke could use L.A. land for MLS team
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco debunks 49ers-Seahawks conspiracy theory
Maiocco debunks 49ers-Seahawks conspiracy theory
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(68)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Raiders re-sign guard Lamar Mady
(1)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Simplifying Raiders' complex cap situation
(29)
RB Bernard: Hue Jackson will have 'craziest playbook ever'
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Might Raiders be interested in Matt Schaub?
YSTL: Might Raiders be interested in Matt Schaub?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Beckham exercises option buy MLS team in Miami
Associated Press

More Stories

Wondolowski accounts for both goals in U.S.'s 2-0 win
(1)
Earthquakes unveil new logo, jerseys
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes celebrate 40th anniversary, unveil new logo and jersey
Earthquakes celebrate 40th anniversary, unveil new logo and jersey
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

NL West offense rankings: No.1 -- Dodgers
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Warriors win with another testament to defense
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers not likely to make big splash in free agency
(102)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders re-sign guard Lamar Mady
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

McLellan still evolving as he sets Sharks franchise mark
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Time for Carroll and Harbaugh to swap rosters

TOP STORIES

  • McLellan still evolving as he sets Sharks franchise mark
  • Sharks' Marleau struggling since contract extension
  • Sharks hope to go into break on high note

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

NCAA

Dons drop Toreros in San Diego
Stanford rolls to 80-69 win in Berkeley

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Jackson on young team: We're in air we've never been in before'
Jackson on young team: We're in air we've never been in before'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California