Sharks Set to Test Waters Against Senators at Canadian Tire Centre

As the San Jose Sharks prepare to face off against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre, fans are cautiously optimistic. The Sharks' recent performance on January 12 against the Montreal Canadiens showed a team capable of resilience and strategic play, securing a win with a score of 3-2. Their ability to maintain even strength was evident as they scored all their goals during regular play, not relying on powerplays.

The statistics from that game paint an interesting picture: 39 hits and a shooting percentage of nine percent may not seem overwhelming, but it was their defensive prowess that truly shone through. The Sharks blocked an impressive 19 shots and won over half of their faceoffs, indicating strong defensive zone presence and puck control.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge the inconsistency in the Sharks' recent games. A stark contrast is seen in their performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 10 where they suffered a heavy loss with a scoreline of 1-7. That game highlighted areas for improvement; notably, they only won 39 percent of faceoffs and had an abysmal plus-minus rating of minus twenty.

The upcoming match presents an opportunity for redemption and showcases whether adjustments have been made following their defeat by Toronto. It's imperative that SJ capitalizes on even-strength situations as they did against Montreal while improving their special teams' effectiveness which was non-existent in both previous games.

OTT has its own set of challenges but has shown competence at home which could pose additional hurdles for SJ. With both teams having strengths and weaknesses that could be exploited by one another, this game promises to be more than just another fixture; it's a chance for SJ to prove consistency or fall victim to past mistakes.

Fans can catch this pivotal encounter between San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators on January 13th at 4:00 PM EST (local time). The action will be broadcasted nationally via ESPN+ online platform or locally on NBCS-CA channel number 698 for television viewers cheering from afar.