Analyzing San Jose Sharks’ Chances of Breaking Winless Streak Amid Historically Poor Start

The San Jose Sharks are currently experiencing a dreadful start to the 2023-24 season, with the potential to break the record for the longest winless streak to start a season, should they lose another six games. They currently have one point in the standings, holding a 0-9-1 record, the worst in the NHL. In their most recent defeat, they were defeated 10-1 by the Vancouver Canucks. The team’s performance in five-on-five situations has been particularly poor, ranking at or near the bottom of the league in various statistical categories.

If the Sharks continue on this streak, they will surpass the 1943-44 New York Rangers for the longest winless streak to start a season. Ending this drought is crucial for the team, not only to improve their standing but also to boost morale among fans who have been disappointed so far.

Let’s examine the Sharks’ upcoming schedule to identify potential opportunities for them to secure their first win of the season. It is worth noting that winning these games would not hinder their chances of acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery.

Pittsburgh Penguins | Home | Saturday, Nov. 4

Despite the Penguins’ advantage in terms of roster and underlying five-on-five performance, there is a chance for the Sharks to capitalize on Pittsburgh’s recent struggles. The Penguins have already suffered losses to lower-ranked teams in the league, such as the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators. If the Sharks can exploit this and seize offensive opportunities, they may be able to achieve an upset victory.

Edmonton Oilers | Home | Thursday, Nov. 9

In this game, the Sharks’ power play might be their key to success. Their power play conversion rate currently ranks 21st in the league, which is better than their performance in most other categories. In contrast, the Oilers’ penalty kill ranks 28th, presenting an opportunity for the Sharks to take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses in this area. Additionally, Edmonton’s goaltenders have struggled early on, potentially further benefiting the Sharks on offense.

Anaheim Ducks | Road | Sunday, Nov. 12

Although the Ducks have been performing well with five consecutive wins, the Sharks could potentially secure a victory in this rivalry game. Anaheim’s five-on-five offense has not been particularly impressive, ranking 25th in expected goals for per 60 minutes. This is just one spot ahead of the Sharks in the same category. Additionally, the Ducks’ core consists of talented but young players who may experience inconsistency and potentially underestimate the frustrated Sharks. Furthermore, the Ducks’ expected goal numbers suggest a regression to the mean, particularly on defense.

St. Louis Blues | Home | Thursday, Nov. 16

Among the Sharks’ games this month, this matchup against the Blues seems to offer the best chance for them to secure a win. Although St. Louis has a better record, their underlying performance has been similarly poor to that of the Sharks. The Sharks have struggled to control the pace of the game and have one of the worst expected goal differentials in the league. However, St. Louis’s offense has also been lackluster, potentially allowing the Sharks to secure a win without an overwhelmingly high number of goals.

Washington Capitals | Home | Monday, Nov. 27

In their previous encounter on October 29, the Sharks came close to defeating the Capitals, taking a 1-0 lead into the third period. While the Capitals ultimately won the game, the Sharks now have the opportunity for redemption in their upcoming match. Washington has been underwhelming this season, with an aging core and a negative goal differential. This presents another relatively even matchup for the Sharks, though they should be cautious of Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of the all-time goals record.