Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Slumping Sharks badly missing Logan Couture
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, January 30, 2014 - 10:00pm
Follow @kkurzcsn

Programming note: Coverage of Blackhawks-Sharks begins Saturday night at 7:00 on Comcast SportsNet California with Sharks Pregame Live. 

For two-and-a-half weeks, the Sharks handled Logan Couture’s absence admirably. Despite losing their second line (and at times top line) center with a hand injury, San Jose won seven of its first nine games without the 24-year-old rising star.

They could sure use him now.

San Jose has scored just one goal in its last three games, all regulation losses. On back-to-back nights on Wednesday and Thursday, the Sharks lost to the two worst teams in the Western Conference by a combined score of 7-1.

“It’s a big concern of ours right now,” head coach Todd McLellan said of his team’s offense.

[INSTANT REPLAY: Offensive woes continue, Sharks fall to Flames]

A case can be made the Sharks deserved better against Edmonton, as they fired 59 shots on goal, all of which were turned away by Ben Scrivens in his record-setting performance. In losses to the Kings and Flames, though, San Jose got the result it deserved.

The Sharks have 16 goals in their last eight games, including five goals in the last five games, and recently dropped under an average of three goals per game for the first time this season. They were riding the top line of Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Brent Burns for some time, but those none of those players has been particularly good during the three-game losing streak.

Lately, that spells certain doom for the Sharks, who were searching for secondary scoring even before Couture got hurt.

Patrick Marleau seems to miss his linemate on the second line, with just two goals in the last 11 games. Matt Nieto has had some good games during Couture’s absence, including scoring in back-to-back games in mid-January, but he’s not been very noticeable the past week. Bracken Kearns, Andrew Desjardins and Tyler Kennedy have played well in certain situations, but have not been nearly consistent enough, and now Kennedy is out with a lower body injury.


It goes on. Tommy Wingels has had some great chances, including a cross bar against Edmonton that could have changed the course of that game, but he still has just one goal in his last 21. Marty Havlat returned against the Oilers and was effective through the first two periods, but he rode the bench for a stretch in the second and third periods against Calgary.

The Sharks are set up to get steamrolled by the high-powered Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday unless something quickly changes.

McLellan suggested after Thursday’s loss that some rest could be needed, and it’s a valid point. The Sharks just completed a stretch of three games in four nights and five games in eight days including the back-to-back. They’ll have a day off on Friday.

“I don’t think we had the energy that we needed to create a lot, and when we did, we were off the mark,” McLellan said. “It will come for our team. We have a lot of talent. We have offensive players. We’ll look at ways of trying to help them, and we’re also going to get healthy at some point.”

Couture could conceivably be ready to return from his injury by Saturday, as McLellan said he was close before the brief Alberta trip. Perhaps the disappointing results in last three games will bring him a little closer, as a suddenly flat team could use a boost.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Highlights: Sharks score three shootout goals to beat Blackhawks
McLellan: 'We were focused, stuck with the gameplan'
Niemi: Lots of blocked shots in front of me on penalty kill
Joe Thornton seals Sharks' win over Blackhawks with shootout goal

Giants

FanFest Q&As bring the laughs, but Belt avoids bulletin board
Dodgers, Ellis avoid arbitration with one-year deal
Giants tweak alternate orange uniform
Giants notes: Belt's good vibes, Lincecum's sinking feeling, etc.
Read More

Athletics

Corey Brown signs with Red Sox
Division foes reload in attempt to dethrone A's
A's outright Corey Brown, who elects free agency
Report: Michael Young to retire
Read More

Sharks

Instant Replay: Sharks end slide, beat Blackhawks in SO
Hawks' captain stresses professionalism vs. Sharks
Sharks top players need to quickly find their games
Sharks' McCarthy reassigned to Worcester
Read More

49ers

Bowman snubbed for Defensive Player of the Year
Kaepernick thinks timeout cost 49ers Super Bowl XLVII
Is 49ers-Seahawks rivalry diminished if Broncos win Super Bowl?
Goodell: More playoff teams, new replay procedures
Read More

Raiders

Strahan, Brooks lead seven-member Hall of Fame class
Ray Guy elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Ray Guy supporters hope Hall of Fame voters make history
Guy on verge of Hall of Fame induction
Read More

Warriors

Rewind: Curry, Warriors finished strong vs. Jazz
Warriors assign Bazemore, Brooks to Santa Cruz
Bynum signs with Pacers for remainder of season
Adam Silver officially replaces Stern as commissioner
Read More

NCAA

Cal upsets No. 1 Arizona
San Jose State falls to 0-10 in MWC
Powell leads Stanford past Arizona State 76-70
Gonzaga sinks game-winning trey to avoid loss to Santa Clara
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

FanFest Q&As bring the laughs, but Belt avoids bulletin board
(1)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Dodgers, Ellis avoid arbitration with one-year deal
(3)
Giants tweak alternate orange uniform
(9)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Fans meet the 2014 Giants at FanFest
Fans meet the 2014 Giants at FanFest
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Giants notes: Belt's good vibes, Lincecum's sinking feeling, etc.
Giants like sight of slimmed-down Sandoval

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

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

Latest News

Corey Brown signs with Red Sox
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Division foes reload in attempt to dethrone A's
A's outright Corey Brown, who elects free agency
See more >

A's VIDEO

Braden details 'haywire' preparation before perfect game
Braden details 'haywire' preparation before perfect game
See more >

A's TALK

Report: Michael Young to retire
San Jose asks for quick decision in antitrust case
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Instant Replay: Sharks end slide, beat Blackhawks in SO
(3)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Hawks' captain stresses professionalism vs. Sharks
(1)
Sharks top players need to quickly find their games
(1)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Sharks score three shootout goals to beat Blackhawks
Highlights: Sharks score three shootout goals to beat Blackhawks
See more >

Features

Sharks' McCarthy reassigned to Worcester
In the Crease: Slumping Sharks host NHL's top offense

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Instant Replay: Sharks end slide, beat Blackhawks in SO
  • Hawks' captain stresses professionalism vs. Sharks
  • Sharks top players need to quickly find their games
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Curry, Warriors finished strong vs. Jazz
(1)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Warriors assign Bazemore, Brooks to Santa Cruz
(27)
Bynum signs with Pacers for remainder of season
(7)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Curry: 'We got back to playing tough Warriors basketball'
Curry: 'We got back to playing tough Warriors basketball'
See more >

Features

Adam Silver officially replaces Stern as commissioner
Instant Replay: Curry carries Warriors in win over Jazz

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

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

Latest News

Spurs hand Kings seventh straight loss
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Kings look to buck losing streak against slumping Spurs
(1)
Gay's 35 not enough as Kings fall to Mavericks
See more >

Watch

Kings fade in fourth, fall to Dallas Mavericks
Kings fade in fourth, fall to Dallas Mavericks
See more >

Features

Kings hope to have Cousins back vs. Mavericks
Cousins-less Kings continue skid with home loss to Grizzlies

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

Bowman snubbed for Defensive Player of the Year
(39)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Kaepernick thinks timeout cost 49ers Super Bowl XLVII
(83)
Is 49ers-Seahawks rivalry diminished if Broncos win Super Bowl?
(43)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

YSTL: Kawakami talks Super Bowl prop bets
YSTL: Kawakami talks Super Bowl prop bets
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(67)
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

Strahan, Brooks lead seven-member Hall of Fame class
ProFootballTalk

More Stories

Ray Guy elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
(11)
Ray Guy supporters hope Hall of Fame voters make history
(9)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Gay: Induction of Ray Guy into Hall of Fame long overdue
Gay: Induction of Ray Guy into Hall of Fame long overdue
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

Wondolowski accounts for both goals in U.S.'s 2-0 win
(1)
ProSoccerTalk

More Stories

Earthquakes unveil new logo, jerseys
Earthquakes sign French midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi
(1)
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

FanFest Q&As bring the laughs, but Belt avoids bulletin board
(1)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Curry, Warriors finished strong vs. Jazz
(1)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Bowman snubbed for Defensive Player of the Year
(39)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Ray Guy elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
(11)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Instant Replay: Sharks end slide, beat Blackhawks in SO
(3)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

New York blowing its chance at Super Bowl glory

TOP STORIES

  • Instant Replay: Sharks end slide, beat Blackhawks in SO
  • Hawks' captain stresses professionalism vs. Sharks
  • Sharks top players need to quickly find their games

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

Gonzaga sinks game-winning trey to avoid loss to Santa Clara
Cal outscored 17-6 in OT in loss to Arizona State

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

Highlights: Sharks score three shootout goals to beat Blackhawks
Highlights: Sharks score three shootout goals to beat Blackhawks
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