Contributed by Eddie Rivkin
For the second game in a row, it took the VGK more than 10 minutes to get their first shot in the first period. But they got their first two shots seconds apart and their first goal too, on a tap-in by Valentin Zykov. The goal was set up when Cody Glass waited an extra split second to slip a cross-ice pass to Max Pacioretty, who was stoned on the doorstep by Martin Jones. Zykov, who has shown throughout the preseason that he has a nose for the net, was in the right spot for his second goal of the preseason. (There will be a lot more on young Mr. Glass toward the end of this post.)
The only other highlight of a very sloppy first period was the first appearance of Marc-André Fleury. He looked in mid-season form, keeping the Sharks off the board while they outshot the VGK 10-3 in period one.
Unlike Thursday night in Denver, the VGK dominated the play in the second period. They tallied 15 shots on goal and all the lines were clicking.
The second VGK goal came at the 14:38 when Reilly Smith forced a sloppy turnover deep in the corner. Smith’s cross-ice pass behind the net found Cody Glass, who had drifted to the weak-side corner. Glass made a no-look tape-to-tape pass to Pacioretty in the slot, who one-timed it past Jones. Anyone see a theme developing yet?
The Sharks cut the lead in half 17 seconds later on a harmless-looking zone entry and dump toward the net that was tipped past Fleury. That was the end of any real scoring threats or extended zone pressure by the Sharks. Shots after two periods: 20-18 in favor of the Sharks.
The only goal of the third period was a VGK power play goal scored by Alex Tuch at 0:58 on a perfectly executed zone-entry give-and-go with Max Pacioretty. Tuch’s wicked wrister beat Jones high glove side. Sound familiar? High glove to beat Jones? It should. I’m not sure the exact number of times the VGK rang that bell last year, but it was a bunch!
Oh, the VGK power came at 0:18 seconds when Kevin Labanc slashed, you guessed it, Cody Glass across the hands as he was breaking into the Sharks’ zone. Final shots on goal: 29-29. Final score: 3-1. The VGK are now 4-0 in the preseason. The Sharks are 0-3.
My 3 Stars of the Night: Max Pacioretty (1 goal, 2 assists), Cody Glass (2 assists), Marc-Andé Fleury (28 saves on 29 shots)
Observations from the Couch (and Maybe a Prediction or Two)
We’re halfway through the exhibition schedule and only one of the big decisions is absolutely a done deal. Really, I think it’s two. But one should be a sure thing.
The sure thing: Valentin Zykov should be the third-line winger. After a summer in Vegas training, he is showing why the VGK picked him up off the waiver wire and why they kept him when last year his performance didn’t warrant it. He’s a beast on the puck, with silky but strong hands and a BIG shot. Now that he’s in game shape, I expect he can easily be a 15- to 20-goal guy. That would be playing with Alex Tuch on the other wing and centering the third line …
Not the sure thing: Cody Glass will make the team as the third-line center. I’ve been reading a bit where people are disappointed in his performance, because he isn’t scoring or dominating games and so on. To those people, I say this: This 20-year-old was the 6th overall pick for a many reasons. Too many for me to go into here. But just listen to his veteran teammates talk about his vision, his playmaking ability, and his hockey sense. Case closed! He’s not going to score like the Great One. But he will make everyone he’s on the ice with better, for many years to come. And he’s going to make the VGK 3rd line the absolute most difficult for every team in the NHL to match up against. You read it here first.
I know that makes Cody Eakin the fourth-line center. But if Cody Glass makes the team, it must be that way. Or he must go to Chicago as the first-line center.
A fourth line of Eakin, Carrier, and Reaves doesn’t sound bad to me. It leaves Pirri and Nosek as odd out and Roy in Chicago.
About the five defensemen vying for one spot, you ask? I’m going to say that Coughlan and Schuldt start the year with the VGK with the assumption that Shea Theodore isn’t ready for Oct. 2. If Shea is ready, and I hope he is, I will take Schuldt, only because he is on a one-way contract.
Thanks again to my good friend Joe Pane for letting the rookie get some reps in the preseason.
We’re hoping to have some really good news for all of you soon.
Joe Pane comments: Eddie has pretty much said what I would have said. Not only did the Flower look really solid and in mid-season form in the net, but so did Martin Jones, who seems to wilt when playing the VGK.
For those who expected fireworks in this game, that wasn’t going to happen, unless there was a hit that was considered egregious. But you may not have to wait long to see some fireworks on Oct. 2 when the games start to have a meaning.
Max Pacioretty is lighting it up in the preseason with 7 points (4G, 3A) in just two games. It doesn’t mean a lot, but goal scorers seem to ride a crest of confidence and Patches is on a crest.
My take on Cody Glass: The coaching staff is trying to find exactly where he will play on the 3rd line. Last night he was back at center after playing the wing against L.A. They may like to keep Eakin as the center with Glass and Tuch. But they also have the option of keeping him between Tuch and Zykov and have Eakin center the 4th line as there is a SRO situation on who plays on the 4th line. There will be a few good players with seats in the press box to open the season if everyone stays healthy in the remainder of the preseason games.
Gallant and his coaching staff have a problem, but it’s a good problem, with the 3rd and 4th lines and who will make up the starting six defensemen for opening night.
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