Game 3 notes: Marleau scoring, confidence rising

May 20, 2011

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RATTO: SHARKS STICK WITH SCRIPT
Tim Panaccio
CSNCalifornia.com
SAN JOSE -- Among the few players that Sharks coach Todd McLellan didnt need to single out as underachieving in this Western Conference Final was Patrick Marleau.

Hes pretty much given the Sharks a chance in this series, with four goals -- five in his last four games going back to the Detroit series.

The 31-year-old forward had a fair bite in Saturdays 4-3 victory in Game 3, too, with a pair of early goals.

Things are just starting to go in, Marleau said. I'm playing with some pretty good players, obviously. Just getting into some good areas. The puck is starting to go in.

You can almost see his confidence grow in this series, regardless of the fact the Sharks trail, 2-1.

Yeah, it's nice to produce and help a team win, Marleau said. What it boils down to is wins right now. Do whatever it takes to win. I think each line played really well tonight and we're going to need that again next game.

The McGinn hit: Jamie McGinn is facing a fine andor suspension for his boarding hit that knocked Vancouvers Aaron Rome out of the game in the third period.

McGinn got a five-minute major plus a game misconduct which allowed the Canucks to score twice to turn the Sharks 4-1 pad into a one-goal nail-biter at the end.

If I were Aaron Rome Id be upset right now but they got the right call in the ice, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said.

Sharks coach Todd McLellan thought it was a deserved major.

And McGinn?

Im a player who finishes my checks, he said. Im not trying to hurt anyone out there. Its unfortunate he got hurt. I tried to cut him off and hit him on the shoulder. Thats all it was.

As for a possible suspension ...

Its tough, McGinn said. I got in the lineup finally and I thought I did a good job. To go right back upstairs in the press box sucks.

McGinn watched the Canucks score twice from the dressing room.

This is twice that its happened to me, McGinn said. Its tough every time.

Lineup changes: So, on one hand McLellan doesnt blame Ben Eager for the Game 2 disaster in Vancouver.

Yet on the other, Eager had to take the fall because he was a healthy scratch for Game 3, as was Scott Nichol.

The new fourth line had Andrew Desjardins between McGuinn and Jamal Mayers.

The thinking was speed, and that was evident in the opening period when McGinn outraced the Vancouver defense for a loose puck and subsequent scoring chance at the other end.

McLellan denied taking Eager out because of the bad boarding penalty he took in Game 2 on Daniel Sedin that led to the Sharks unraveling.

Ben Eager played four games against us last year and played very effectively for Chicago and didn't take any penalties, McLellan said. He has the discipline to control himself. We just felt we would go with a different lineup.

Ehrhoff injured: Vancouver suffered a significant loss on defense when Christian Ehrhoff incurred an upper body injury early in the second period and did not return. Vigneault said both Ehrhoff and Rome are questionable for Game 4.

Loose pucks: Douglas Murray logged 3:20 of PK time in the second period, thanks those back-to-back, 5-on-3 power plays that Vancouver failed to convert. He led the Sharks with 5:09 of PK time. ... Logan Couture collided with teammate Ryane Clowe in the third period and went off the ice, returned briefly to the bench, then went back to the dressing room. McLellan said Couture would play in Game 4. ... Joe Thornton notched three assists, giving him eight points (1-7=8) in his last six games. ... Dan Boyle picked up a goal and an assist, giving him a four-game point streak (1-5=6). He continues to lead all defensemen in points (3-12=15) and assists through the playoffs.
Tim Panaccio is the NHL Insider for CSNPhilly.com E-mail him at tpanotch@comcast.net