Sharks coach David Quinn is optimistic about drawing inspiration from the Predators.
Currently, the San Jose Sharks are struggling, ranking among the weakest teams in the NHL. This was evident even before their recent 8-2 defeat to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, a loss that further compounded their challenges. Despite this setback, head coach David Quinn sees a glimmer of hope in the Predators for a potential late-season turnaround.
Quinn humorously alluded to this notion before the Tuesday night game, referencing a memorable incident involving a canceled concert that Predators players were slated to attend. In jest, Quinn remarked to reporters, “I’m trying to schedule a concert where I can cancel and hopefully we’d go on a 14-game run. I think the season is a little too late for that.” This light-hearted comment was shared by Predators reporter Robby Stanley.
During the match against San Jose, Nashville forward Michael McCarron netted two goals, while key players like Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg contributed with a goal and two assists each. On the Sharks’ side, defenseman Mario Ferraro delivered a noteworthy two-point performance in the face of the Predators’ victory.
Insight into the Canceled Predators Concert
Even before encountering David Quinn and the struggling Sharks, the Nashville Predators were grappling with their own challenges. By February 17th, Nashville held a record of 27-25-2, having lost eight of their last 11 games and facing dwindling playoff prospects. General manager Barry Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette demanded a turnaround from their team.
The Predators had initially planned to attend a U2 concert in Las Vegas on February 18th, coinciding with their game against the Vegas Golden Knights. However, Trotz and Brunette made the decision to cancel the outing, opting for a day of rest back in Nashville instead.
While this move could have potentially dampened team spirits, it surprisingly had the opposite effect. The Predators triumphed in their game preceding the scheduled concert and proceeded to secure victories in the subsequent seven games. Overall, Nashville has emerged victorious in 13 of their last 15 matches, including the recent win against the Sharks.
Challenges Faced by the Sharks and David Quinn in the 2023-24 Season
In stark contrast to the Predators’ resurgence, David Quinn and the Sharks have encountered a tumultuous season. San Jose began the year on a historically poor note, enduring a challenging stretch where they started 0-10-1, with the final two games marked by significant defeats, conceding 10 goals in each match against the Vancouver Cancuks and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Although the Sharks secured their first win on November 7th against the Philadelphia Flyers, they struggled with inconsistency, facing another string of losses from December 15 to January 16, barring a lone victory.
The team’s fortunes have not improved, with the Sharks enduring a tough run of results, losing 14 of their last 15 games, including the recent defeat to the Predators. Presently, San Jose occupies the league’s bottom spot, being the sole team with less than 40 points.
While the Sharks are undergoing a rebuilding phase, the current season remains challenging for both the team and its supporters. With 12 games remaining on their schedule, San Jose will face the Tampa Bay Lightning next at the SAP Center at San Jose.