Why Joe Thornton feels he can bounce back from slow start
SAN JOSE — Joe Thornton managed just four assists in his first 15 games this season, but perhaps it wasn’t altogether fair to judge his play by the numbers alone.
With injuries and a suspension testing the Sharks’ forward depth throughout October and early November, Thornton at times found himself playing with wingers on the Sharks’ third line that either lacked experience or a significant history of scoring goals in the NHL.
Things are different now, though, and not coincidentally, Thornton feels his game is getting back on track. Since the start of last Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Thornton has been on a line with fellow franchise icon Patrick Marleau and speedy winger Marcus Sorensen.
Thornton assisted on Marleau’s even strength goal in the Sharks’ win over Chicago, and the trio continued to have solid possession numbers in victories over Minnesota and Nashville.
According to naturalstattrick.com, Thornton’s line has out-chanced opposing lines at even strength 12-6 in the last three games, including a 3-1 advantage on Saturday against the Predators, a 2-1 Sharks shootout win.
“For me it’s been about finding him linemates that can be an effective line,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “I’ve liked the look of him and Patty and Sorensen the last couple of games. They’re starting to get some chemistry and play the way they’ve capable of playing.”
Thornton also had slow starts in 2017 and 2018, and understandably so since he was coming off major reconstructive knee surgeries both years. Complicating matters last season, when Thornton had just eight points in 17 games through October and November, was a knee infection that caused him to miss nine games.
Then in 53 games from the start of December to the end of March, Thornton, playing mostly with Sorensen and Kevin Labanc, had 39 points.
“I really like our line right now,” Thornton said. “I know we’ve only played (a few) games with each other, but it feels really good and I think we’re going to settle in and keep that line for a while, so I’m excited for that.”
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The Sharks are fully aware that Thornton, 40, can’t carry the load he once did. Entering Tuesday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, Thornton, though 18 games, is averaging 14 minutes and 19 seconds of ice time, the lowest amount of his illustrious career.
The Sharks played three games in five nights last week, and will have the same type of schedule the next two weeks as well. Thursday, the Sharks play in Anaheim and come back home to face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Last Wednesday, between games against Chicago and Minnesota, DeBoer gave Thornton the day off from skating.
“I’m going to take some days to relax this year, get some massages and things like that and take care of my body for the long haul,” Thornton said. “It feels great. My body’s responding real nicely and it feels good.”
The Sharks play on back-to-back nights four times before the end of December. Before the start of training camp, Thornton left the door open to sitting out the front or back end of those type of situations.
Is that still the case?
“It might be still. I’m looking at the big picture, but I feel good right now,” Thornton said. “I like the load that I’m getting right now. I think as the season goes on, I’ll probably get a little more, but I like the management I’m doing right now.”
Thornton did not play the final six minutes and 16 seconds of Saturday’s game against the Predators. Thornton was finishing a shift with Marleau and Sorensen when Filip Forsberg was called for tripping Sorensen.
On the ensuing power play, defenseman Tim Heed replaced Thornton on the Sharks’ second unit.
Thornton remained on the bench throughout the end of the third period and did not take a shift in overtime, although DeBoer said Thornton was getting ready to go on before Evander Kane took a hooking penalty.
The Sharks won the game in the seventh round of the shootout. Martin Jones stopped all seven Predators tries in the shootout before Timo Meier beat Juuse Saros to help the Sharks improve to 7-10-1 overall.
Thornton’s absence may have been more situational than anything. DeBoer said Thornton was dealing “with a little something, but that’s just how it went.”
Thornton had a more lighthearted explanation, saying he, Brent Burns and Mike Potenza, the Sharks’ director of strength and conditioning, played their kids in a game of shinny on Sunday.
“So I wanted to make sure I was 100 percent for that game,” Thornton deadpanned. “Our kids are actually getting really, really good. I knew the boys had it all covered up (Saturday), so I said, ‘Pete, give me some time off so I can be 100 percent for tomorrow.’ I had a great game yesterday, so it worked out well. Two wins in a row.”
Injured defenseman Mario Ferraro skated Monday after the Sharks’ ended the main part of their practice, but his availability to play against the Oilers was unknown. DeBoer said Dalton Prout came out of Sunday’s conditioning game with the Barracuda in good shape and that he could be available Tuesday. Prout (concussion) came off injured reserve before Saturday’s game.