About a week ago, I wrote an article summarizing the dangers of the San Jose Sharks relying on the “Big Line” of Marleau, Thornton, and Heatley going into the playoffs.
My first impressions after tonight’s 2-1 Game One defeat at the hands of the No. 8 seed Colorado Avalanche: I was unfortunately right.
In the first minute of the game, I was elated at the prospect of possibly eating my words.
The “Big Line” came out pressing and drew a quick penalty, then proceeded to pepper the net, putting six shots on Craig Anderson and narrowly missing on several prime opportunities.
The momentum was short-lived, however, as the Sharks quickly fell back into the same habits which plagued their play for long stretches of the season: lack of urgency, poor zone entries, no speed through the neutral zone, and passing up opportunities to shoot.
The “Big Line” failed to impress (not that I was too surprised).
They made several ...
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Article written by Patrick Goulding II