Game 4 - Pregame thoughts

As ugly as Game 3 was, I still think we have a good chance to advance this round. After winning tonight's game (yes, we are winning tonight), it's basically just a best of 3 series with 2 games at home. We have more talent than them - we just need a few breaks and a few calls and we should win it.

The only remarks I'll make about Game 3 are positive. I mentioned it in a comment on one of Jon's earlier posts, but especially after last game, Patrick Marleau has been the Sharks' best player so far this series. Not just because of the statistics he's put up, but because I get a good feeling every time he's on the ice now. That honor used to belong only to Joe Thornton, but now he has company. Patty's been creating plays with his speed, forechecking and pressuring the puck, finishing his checks, and just going all out every shift. And after taking those 2 huge hits in the first period and getting right back into the game, I don't think anyone can question his heart.

Where the heck has our first line been? I understand that teams might pressure or hold you more in the playoffs, but it's not like teams don't try to stop you in the regular season. Aside from a couple plays all series, I haven't noticed our top line at all. Joe hasn't had time and space to get set up like he normally does and therefore Cheech and Milan aren't getting the puck in position to score. The Flames are almost always sending two guys at Joe and their forwards are collapsing towards the goal to take away the quick centering pass from behind the net. I think this line needs to try something different to counter. Either not relying on Joe setting up behind the net, or maybe getting the defensemen involved from the point and getting some people in front of the net. I think Clowe would fit well on this line because he could create a lot of traffic up front.

Aside from our top line problems, I think the rest of our forwards have been playing pretty well. If you add one or two goals per game from our top line, we either win or tie every game. Guys like Grier, JR, Pavelski, Mitchell and gang have been playing hard and doing what they're supposed to do.

Now the defense is another topic, but I think Ting has a special place in his heart for D-men, so I'll leave that post to him...