COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Sharks have been the NHL's most dominant team in the faceoff circle with a 57.7 percent success rate over the first month of the season.
San Jose also finished last season as the NHL's best faceoff team at 53.8 percent, and players say those numbers are tied to the emphasis the coaching staff puts on a less heralded aspect of the game.
"We really harp on faceoffs and starting with the puck," said center Scott Nichol, whose 64 percent faceoff success rate is the second best in the NHL. "We have some guys that are pretty dynamic players on this team, and when we start with the puck, we're a lot more dangerous than if we're chasing it."
Nichol, who is in his first season with the Sharks after 417 games in Nashville, Calgary, Chicago and Buffalo, said faceoff success comes from "repetition and being focused and ready. Of all the teams I've played with, we really focus a lot in practice and it pays off. When you do that, it keeps you sharp."
The Sharks' 57.7 percent success rate is well ahead of the New York Islanders in second place with 53.9 percent and the Chicago Blackhawks in third with 53.6 percent. The Columbus Blue Jackets ranked 12th at 50.9 percent and tonight's opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, are 15th at 50.2 percent.
good to hear. Beat Columbus today 3-2.
San Jose also finished last season as the NHL's best faceoff team at 53.8 percent, and players say those numbers are tied to the emphasis the coaching staff puts on a less heralded aspect of the game.
"We really harp on faceoffs and starting with the puck," said center Scott Nichol, whose 64 percent faceoff success rate is the second best in the NHL. "We have some guys that are pretty dynamic players on this team, and when we start with the puck, we're a lot more dangerous than if we're chasing it."
Nichol, who is in his first season with the Sharks after 417 games in Nashville, Calgary, Chicago and Buffalo, said faceoff success comes from "repetition and being focused and ready. Of all the teams I've played with, we really focus a lot in practice and it pays off. When you do that, it keeps you sharp."
The Sharks' 57.7 percent success rate is well ahead of the New York Islanders in second place with 53.9 percent and the Chicago Blackhawks in third with 53.6 percent. The Columbus Blue Jackets ranked 12th at 50.9 percent and tonight's opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, are 15th at 50.2 percent.
good to hear. Beat Columbus today 3-2.
