Pro: Micheal Haley has been sitting awhile. Con: The #sjsharks can’t buy a win and the injury bug has definitely played a part. We talk about everything that has contributed to this demoralizing stretch (it’s mostly coaching) and the implications for the on-rushing playoffs.

And despite our pessimism: Go Sharks!

The #sjsharks had a pretty good week on the ice (even counting a loss to Florida), but off the ice it was a very tough time for one Shark (Evander Kane suffered a great loss over the weekend). Meanwhile, Katie Strang of the Athletic posted an inspiring and important article about Jamie Baker’s recent struggles and the hard work he’s put in to overcome them. Alex and Ben talk about both heartbreaking situations and the week that was for the team in teal.

Was the EK65 a bust? It appears that some already think so. But do we? This is a major part of our discussion this week, since otherwise the #sjsharks just beat up on two bad teams.

It was a 2-2 week, with the #sjsharks getting shut down by a hot goalie in #LUMBUS and then getting rocked by a much better-coached Bruins team. But they also beat up on also-rans Colorado and Detroit. So, you know, chances are good in the playoffs if they can just play bad team. Wait a minute…

Our Lord and #INTANGIBLES Savior, Micheal Haley, has returned to the fold. Honestly, the stupidity of this personnel move has broken all three of us and it shows in this week’s discussion. We’re a bit loopy. But it was fun as hell. We hope you enjoy as much as we did. Go #SJSHARKS.

Oh yeah, and keep listening after the end stinger music ends. We have BONUS CONTENT for you.

It was quite a week for everyone’s favorite trade-bait, Kevin Labanc*. Not a bad week, overall, with just one stinker result against the Caps. That, and some junior goalie was thrown to the wolves because the Vancouver Canucks are a joke of an organization. But anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, Kevin Labanc is on fire and that’s only a good thing for the Sharks going forward. Now if DeBoer would just never pair Braun and Vlasic again.

*This podcast does not advocate trading Kevin Labanc.

Erik Karlsson played in the All Star Game, but then missed the next three regular season #sjsharks games. What’s up with that? We discuss that as well as the return of #Pickles and the sudden elevation of Dylan Gambrell. We also talk about the the salary cap, the Austin Matthews contract, and so much more.

It was not the best week for the #sjsharks, so we don’t spend a lot of time on the games themselves. Instead, we talk goaltending v. defense, Erik Karlsson and the All-Star game, and, briefly, the Edmonton Oilers firing Peter Chiarelli (and the impact that will likely have on the Pacific). Stay tuned for a brief discussion of Wins Above Replacement/Goals Above Replacement as well). Go Sharks!

There’s been a narrative in the #sjsharks media that the fans turned on Melker earlier in the season, and so whenever he scores a goal in the last few weeks, it’s apparently a repudiation of that hate. I think, among educated fans, no one really hates Melker. We talk about this and coaching, the 4-0 week, defeats of two other teams in the NHL’s top 4, and a lot, lot more. It’s kind of a long podcast for us. But, dammit, there was so much to say.

Go Sharks!

The #sjsharks scored 17 goals this week. That’s good.

They gave up 13 goals this week. That’s bad.

And, as many of those goals against were of the wtf variety, this week has been a nice microcosm of what frustrates the fans (and probably the players and coaches) about the year so far.

All the above and some talk about the actual games. Go Sharks!