Martin makes Burns better and puts Dillon in a matchup situation that is best-suited for his abilities. I think that's every bit as crucial as Couture's loss especially since our blue line isn't as deep in general as the forwards are. I think if the forwards besides Couture were healthy, they could sustain but not with Karlsson, Donskoi, and Smith all out and they have to ice Brown, Lerg, and Haley who all do not belong in an NHL lineup. Goodrow doesn't either but he's at least an acceptable 14th guy and he's playing on the 3rd line most nights at this point.
Exactly, but the other dimension is Marleau. Prior to the injuries, he was leading the Sharks goal production significantly. Now he's cooled off completely and sporting a +/- of -4. Marleau has to step it up, and certainly when needed to fill in the gaps as what's currently required. He needs to earn his $6m salary.
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That first goal of the Kings was very good and obviously a scripted play and well-rehearsed. It looks like the NHL version of football's hail-mary pass.
It was predicated on winning the face-off (Tierney lost the FO here). While the King got control of the puck behind the FO circle, another King blocked a Shark while all the other Kings made a fast break for the Sharks zone the moment the FO was won, thus overloading the boards on Burns' side. The King with the puck made a lob pass in the air to the Sharks' blue line
Burns did not read the play. Dillion missed the play initially, but Tierney caught it and hustled after the Kings but was too late. The two other Sharks were caught completely off guard.
Burns should have hooked or tripped the King who scored (Carter?), and taken the penalty.
I thought that throwing blocks and screens on players without the puck is against the rules, which is what that one King did to allow his teammate to execute the lob pass.
Gutsy move to have three of your players exited your defensive zone while the puck is still there, and rather deep as it was close to the icing line. It likely shows what the Kings think of the Burns-Dillon pairing which is about the same as some here (well, count me in that as I don't believe that pairing is good either).
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Finally, what's up with Martin Jones? His form in the net is not the same lately and it appears to have degraded. He was always square to the shooter and in great position to block the net, and repositioning was minimal effort on his part.
