SAN JOSEIn the aftermath of Wednesday nights 3-2 Sharks loss to the Vancouver Canucks, head coach Todd McLellan repeated one of his favorite mantras in his post-game media availability.
Its a common theme around the league, but one that McLellan has mentioned often in his tenure as Sharks head coachthe first team to three goals is usually going to win the game.
Thats especially true for his club this year. When the Sharks score at least three goals in regulationovertime, they are 17-1-2. When they dont hit that magic number, San Jose is just 2-10-2.
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The Sharks have been unable to make it to three goals in their last back-to-back losses to Anaheim on Monday and Vancouver on Wednesday. The Ducks scored the third goal in the second period, breaking a 2-2 tie, and didnt allow the Sharks to get the equalizer. Andrew Ebbetts deflection marker in overtime sealed San Joses fate after it failed to capitalize on a pair of late power plays.
We have to have the understanding that three is a very important number for us. Three is the be-all and end-all. Its either hurting us when we give up three, or helping us when we score three, McLellan said.
When the discrepancy is that noticeable, what do you tell your team?
Every moment and every shift is real important. You go back to some of the turnovers weve had in games that have cost us, thats one goal, and we gift them, McLellan said.
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I think we can stay focused a little bit more, and I think we have to understand as a group that were not a four or five goal team, were a three goal team, and play that way for all 60 minutes.
