First off with an 19-3-1 record there's very little to be nitpicky about an outstanding start so far. But having flamed out in 3 postseasons in a row in the second round, one must always evaluate a team's weakness.
In my opinion the Sharks top 2 lines have been tremendous so far this year. The "O" line of (Seto, Jumbo, Marleau) have averaged a point a game while Clowe Pavs and Michalek have been providing secondary scoring. However, the same could not be said of the third and fourth line. While nobody expects the 4th line to provide much scoring, one thing is disconcerting is JR's drop off of producting from last year. Can we count on him to step up his game in postseason? I think so.
That leaves us with a makeshift third line right now. With Mitchell out and scheduled to comeback sometime in December, the current production of Goc, Grier and Cheechoo have been a thing not to behold. While I personally don't mind if this line doesn't score, it is unacceptable for them to be giving up chances to the other team. Momentum is usually won or lost right after another team scores a goal. From what I have seen so far this third line has not impressed me much. Grier and Cheechoo have been struggling to get on the scoresheet as well as keeping pucks out. Goc is very shaky in his own zone at best.
Stanley Cup teams need production from at least three lines. Anahiem's shutdown line of Pahlsson, Moen and Niedermayer line a few years ago were tremendous in the postseason both shutting down the opposition and putting the occasion puck in the net. Franzen, Maltby and Kopecky played the role of the third line for Detroit's run to the Cup last year.
The question is, when scoring is a premium come postseason, can the players on the Sharks thrid line get the job done come playoff time?
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i agree that our first 2 lines are amazing, and i share your concern for our 3rd line.
goc is one guy that i like to see gone (along with semenov). he's kind of like this year's ehrhoff in my eyes, always in my doghouse. i just become so nervous whenever i see him on the ice.
cheechoo has been off lately after starting the season strongly. i guess it's confirmed that he still has some nagging injuries since he sat out the last game. cheechoo is a goal scorer and his time will come.
if we get a healthy mitchell and cheechoo back in time for the playoffs, I will be happy.
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