Boston Bruins: Pros and cons to facing the San Jose Sharks
By Luke Ryan
Pro: The San Jose Sharks’ goaltending has been decidedly average.
Whereas the Boston Bruins’ goaltender has Tuukka Rask firmly in Conn Smythe Trophy winning conversations, the San Jose Sharks haven’t been on anywhere near the same level.
Martin Jones, whilst reliable and steady for the most part, hasn’t exactly had a series-deciding bearing on the San Jose Sharks at any stage of their playoff run.
He currently hasn’t missed a game for his team but has been incredibly hot-and-cold. Averaging 2.96 goals against per game and with a lowly save percentage of 0.902%; he’s not exactly the typical back-stop you ride to the Stanley Cup.
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You’ve also got to look at the fact he’s conceded 4 or more goals on 6 occasions these play-offs; surely the Boston Bruins’ goal-scoring from across the line-up will be able to take advantage of this. They, after all, have scored 4 or more goals in a game 9 times this post-season; not half bad considering they’ve only played 17 games.
You have to imagine the likes of Charlie Coyle, David Krejci, David Pastrnak and David Backes are relishing a chance to face Martin Jones, for the sole purpose of padding their goal totals this play-offs.
These three are riding the most impressive shooting percentages on the Bruins team, all upwards of 13% – Steven Kampfer is there too, but we expect serious regression from his 50%, should he see further ice-time.
Compare Martin Jones to Tuukka Rask and it’s absolutely night and day; he is running with a 1.84 goals against average – almost a goal and a half less a game than Jones. His save percentage matches up with that too; a full 0.04% higher at 0.942%.
That difference, though seemingly small, is the difference between winning a Cup and not. All the Boston Bruins need to do is score a few and they should take up the real estate firmly inside Martin Jones’ head. Once he has doubts, they should be able to comfortably take it home.