Donskoi’s the right-wing man for Pavelski, Kane
Joonas Factor has made revamped forward line shine
The Sharks felt they had acquired a left winger in Evander Kane who could make a seamless transition into their top six forward group. They also felt that captain Joe Pavelski was the right player to center a line with Kane.
What they didn’t immediately know was who would be the perfect fit to play right wing alongside both players.
Enter Joonas Donskoi, who, despite some up-anddown moments statistically, hasn’t wavered with his energy level and remains one of the Sharks’ most-skilled puck-handlers.
“We didn’t know if it would be (a fit) or not.” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “I sat down and had a conversation with (Pavelski), and (Donskoi) brings a lot of the same qualities (as Kane). He’s a puck hound, he’ll go get it and he’ll hang onto it.”
So far, Donskoi’s play with Pavelski and Kane has been everything the Sharks have hoped for, as the trio has combined for 12 points in two games. Donskoi has three points, the same number he had through the first 13 games in February.
“It’s two first-class players that I’m playing with, and I feel like we found chemistry right away,” Donskoi said. “(Kane’s) fast. I feel like he can create room for me and Pav with his speed, and he’s so strong on the puck. He’s been fun to play with.”
Donskoi has been on the Sharks’ top line with Pavelski before, most recently as last month. But he also spent some time with Logan Couture and Chris Tierney on either the Sharks’ second or third lines.
But there’s never really been a permanent address for Donskoi this season. He entered Sunday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with 27 points in 57 games.
For now, at least, it looks like he’s found a home.
“Right now, the last couple games, it’s been pretty good. Especially with this new line,” Donskoi said. “But there’s been some up and downs. I don’t feel like I’ve been at my best level all year long.
“Some games it’s been good, some days it’s been brought down. That’s something I’m focusing on now for the rest of the season with the playoffs coming up. I want to be playing my best every game.”
• Sharks majority owner Hasso Plattner came by Solar 4 America Ice on Saturday morning and watched practice alongside general manager Doug Wilson.
“It’s exciting. We haven’t seen him in a while,” Pavelski said. “It’s nice to have him come around.”
Plattner does not make public appearances around the Sharks often and did not wish to speak with reporters Saturday. But according to Sharks executives, he remains keenly in tune with hockey operations as well as the business side of the franchise.
“One, he’s got a big personality, so I think the guys enjoy seeing him. But two, we’re very fortunate,” DeBoer said. “We’ve got an owner who is all in. In all my dealings with him, all he wants to do is win.
“You’d think that’s common, but that’s not necessarily common around the league. Everybody here appreciates that.”
After consecutive wins, the Sharks are alone in second in the Pacific Division with 79 points, and control their own destiny in terms of making the playoffs for a third straight year.
Still, not everything has been ideal from a hockey standpoint for Plattner, who saw his native Germany come up just short of winning a gold medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics.
Germany had to settle for silver after it lost to the Olympic Athletes from Russia in the gold medal game.
“I asked him about the German loss in the Olympics, and he was pretty devastated,” DeBoer said with a laugh.
• Center Eric Fehr was a full participant in Saturday’s practice and is on track to play against the Blue Jackets after he was scratched from Thursday’s game against Chicago with a minor injury.
Joining him on the Sharks’ fourth line were Barclay Goodrow and Melker Karlsson.
It appears Jannik Hansen and Marcus Sorensen will be the forwatrds scratched for Sunday’s game.