The San Jose Sharks are struggling after a 6-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, which followed a 5-2 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers. These losses have put San Jose’s playoff hopes in jeopardy. The lessons learned from the defeats may be the only positive outcome.
Playoff Chances Dwindling
The Sharks are now four points out of the last wild card spot in the West, currently held by the Los Angeles Kings. With four games left, they have no games in hand on the Kings and must leapfrog three teams. San Jose has started poorly in back-to-back games, during the most important games of the season.
Dmitry Orlov, a 2018 Stanley Cup winner, believes that every team experiences these types of games. Orlov suggests that even when not feeling at their best, players should keep it simple by playing short shifts. He added that by doing this, players can still find their rhythm during the game.
Addressing Back-to-Back Struggles
The San Jose Sharks lead the NHL with 16 back-to-backs, tied with the Kings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said that improvements are needed in how the team approaches back-to-back games, not just this year but into the next. He stated that it is not an excuse and the team needs to get in better shape and mentally understand how to approach games and play the right way.
Learning from Setbacks
San Jose hasn’t quite learned how to play when they’re not at their best. This includes when they’re not playing as fast as they want, not forechecking as desired, or not getting the necessary saves. Orlov suggests it’s possible to find your game in-game, even with a slow start, by staying patient.
Warsofsky said the team is learning how hard and detailed you have to be at this time of year. He added that the team is getting punched in the face with this reality.
Needing Help to Reach Playoffs
The Sharks will now need some help to make their first playoff appearance since 2019. There’s still a chance, but it’s not all in their hands anymore, as it was before the loss to Edmonton. Warsofsky wants to see if the team can learn from the losses and find an extra gear in their remaining four games.