San Jose Sharks key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, three key statistics for the San Jose Sharks.

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1. Martin Jones' save percentage

Jones had an .896 save percentage last season, which was 43rd out of 45 goalies to play at least 30 NHL games, and his .891 even-strength save percentage was last in that group. The Sharks allowed 225 goals, tied with the Anaheim Ducks for third most in the NHL (Ottawa Senators, 238; Detroit Red Wings, 265), and they allowed 165 goals at 5-on-5, second most in the NHL (Detroit, 169). San Jose acquired Devan Dubnyk in a trade from the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 5 to address its goaltending concerns, but his .890 save percentage was last in the NHL (minimum 30 games).

2. Penalty-kill percentage

The Sharks had the best penalty kill in the NHL last season at 85.7 percent. Jones excelled while the Sharks were shorthanded, with a .918 save percentage that tied for the NHL lead with Robin Lehner of the Vegas Golden Knights (minimum 30 games). One potential concern for the penalty kill is that forward Barclay Goodrow, who was fourth on San Jose in shorthanded time on ice per game (2:27), and defenseman Brenden Dillon, who was sixth (2:02), each was traded prior to the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline (Dillon to the Washington Capitals on Feb. 18, Goodrow to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 24). Following the Goodrow trade, San Jose had a penalty-kill percentage of 81.8 percent in its final eight games.

3. Goals

The Sharks scored 180 goals last season, tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for 27th in the NHL, and scored 121 goals at 5-on-5, which tied for 27th with the New York Islanders. Although forwards Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture were among the four skaters tied for second on San Jose with 10 goals at 5-on-5 (Timo Meier led San Jose with 16), each missed significant time because of injury. Hertl missed the final 18 games after knee surgery, and Couture was out for 17 games from Jan. 9-Feb. 23 because of a fractured ankle. Set back by its injuries, San Jose was tied for 25th in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens in shooting percentage at 5-on-5 (7.5 percent), but it is reasonable to suggest its goal-scoring and shooting percentage should improve this season with a healthy lineup.