My Thoughts on How Celebrini-Smith Played Apart From Each Other, Askarov Heating Up & More

The San Jose Sharks just can’t score at 5-on-5.

And when their power play fails, like it did on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres, it’s a 2-0 loss.

Here are five takeaways from tonight.

Punchless Without Power Play?

The Sharks entered tonight 30th in the NHL with 1.69 5-on-5 Goals Per 60. In contrast, their power play was sixth in the league, but it went 0-for-3.

They’re now 31 st in the NHL in 5-on-5 scoring, there 1.55 Goals Per 60 only above the Philadelphia Flyers’ 1.36.

Of greater concern, San Jose isn’t generating enough chances, but they’re also giving up too many. Per Natural Stat Trick, Buffalo outchanced them 15-10 at 5-on-5 High-Danger.

The Sharks did pick it up after a first period where they were bullied net front, another area of concern heading into tonight, but overall, they did not play a game that was deserving of a win.

Life Apart for WillMack?

For Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, there’s life apart from each other. WillMack were split up for the first time this season, aside from the two games that Celebrini was hurt earlier this year.