After 50 games, San Jose Sharks nowhere close to where they were a year ago

SAN JOSE — Besides the team’s record, there is one statistic that helps illustrate the biggest difference between this season’s Sharks team and last season’s after 50 games.

Sixty goals.

That’s the contrast in goal differential from one season to the next. Last season, on Jan, 20, 2019, the Sharks had a goal differential of +23 after 50 games, tied for fifth-best in the NHL. Exactly a year later, they are at -37, third-worst in the NHL.

Here are some other statistical differences between this season’s Sharks team and last season’s.

San Jose Sharks through 50 games

                                       2018-19                      2019-20

Record                           28-15-7 (63 points)     21-25-4 (46 points)

Home record                  17-4-4                         13-11-1

Road record                   11-11-3                        8-14-3

Division standing           Second                        Sixth

Conference standing      Third                           13th

Goals for, per game        3.56                            2.56

Goals against, per game 3.10                           3.32

Goal differential               +23                            -37

Team save %                   .893                            .891

Points leader                   Brent Burns (52)          Logan Couture, Erik Karlsson (36)

Goals leader                   Joe Pavelski (26)         Evander Kane (19)

Assists leader                 Brent Burns (43)          Erik Karlsson (31)

Power play rank             Seventh (24.7 %)         25th (16.7%)

Penalty kill rank              Seventh (83.2 %)         First (87.7%)