3 Sharks Stepping Up in Joe Pavelski’s Absence

The San Jose Sharks have been playing without its captain, Joe Pavelski, since about the halfway point of the third period of a series decided Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Pavelski was taking the face-off against Cody Eakin, who cross-checked him and then there was incidental contact with Paul Stastny. Pavelski left the game with an undisclosed injury, but blood had to be cleaned off the ice once he left the playing surface.

Pavelski hasn’t returned to game action since that moment. In the time that he has missed, these three Sharks have stepped up to keep the team alive to play in a pivotal Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night

1) Logan Couture

Logan Couture got thing started for the Sharks when they were down 3-0 in the third period against the Golden Knights in game seven. He scored the first power play goal on the 5:00 major given to Eakin. After the goal was scored, he turned to the Sharks’ bench and said, “That’s One.” Couture then went and scored the third power play goal of the major to tie the game at 3-3. Couture started the amazing comeback by the Sharks, who managed to win the game and series in overtime.

The Sharks are in a battle with the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the playoffs. Couture has three goals, three assists and six points in six games played so far. A Game 7 will be played at home on Wednesday night. Couture’s assists have all come on game tying goals, whether it be to tie the game at 1-1 or to tie the game late to force overtime. All three of his goals in this series came during Game 3 when he posted a hat trick.

2) Tomas Hertl

Tomas Hertl had an assist on the first of the four power play goals once Pavelski left Game 7 against the Golden Knights. He also scored the second goal of the game for the Sharks. It seems as though when the Sharks have needed to turn the game around, he is pitching in on the offensive end. It could be his playmaking or his goal scoring ability.

In the series against the Avalanche, he has been stymied a bit and only has two goals and two assists for four points in six games. His first points of the series came in the second game where he added two assists, one on the Sharks’ first goal and another on the team’s third goal. The Sharks lost the game 4-3. His two goals came in game five and they were the only two goals scored by the Sharks in a 2-1 regulation win.

3) Brent Burns

Brent Burns assisted on the game-tying power play goal for the Sharks against the Golden Knights. He can act as a fourth forward while on the ice since he can skate and move the puck. Burns likes to join in the play on the offensive side of the puck, but can also scurry back to defend his own zone.

The defenseman started out red hot in the second round against the Colorado Avalanche. In the first two games, he had a combined three goals four assists and seven points. In four games since, he has one goal for one point. Burns has four goals, four assists and eight points in six games with Game 7 being played Wednesday night at 9 p.m.