In Antwort auf:
nur so lange der Selanne trifft
Teemu Selanne registered four tallies in the first 18 contests. He now has three goals in the last two games and four in the last six. Selanne is definitely beginning to heat up. Much was made of Selanne's lack of early scoring, but there were a multitude of reasons behind the slow start. He was playing a new system, with new teammates and with a couple of different centermen.
"It was a little bit of everything," said Selanne.
In reality, the start of the 2001-02 campaign was the first chance for Selanne to get to know his new teammates and for his new teammates to get to know him. Selanne played 12 regular season games last year and also in 6 playoff contests, but a scoped knee and a broken thumb kept everyone from seeing the real Finnish Flash.
Then everyone assumed that Selanne's magical scoring touch would reappear when the year began. However, Selanne and his teammates still had to go through a feeling out process and Selanne was still adjusting to the Sharks style.
"I realize here that you can't score the fancy goals," said Selanne. "It really doesn't matter how you score as long as they go in."
The Sharks play a hard forechecking game with everybody going to the net. As Selanne has adjusted, his numbers are beginning to go up
"I was outside too much early," said Selanne. "Now I'm going to the net and trying to get something there."
A classic example of this occurred on Tuesday's game-winning goal against Nashville. Selanne won a battle along the boards, keeping the puck in the offensive zone. As Vincent Damphousse captured the puck down low, Selanne went straight for the net and scored off a brilliant Damphousse pass.
There is no question that playing alongside Damphousse has been a big help for Selanne who was used to the playmaking skills of Paul Kariya in Anaheim.
"Vinnie sees the ice and passes so well," said Selanne. "It's just getting better and better."
As far as adjusting to the Sharks system, Selanne is on his way.
"It takes time to get used to things," said Selanne. "The bottom line is you have to find a way to fit in."
What will be fun is seeing what Selanne can do with even more time to fit in.
HARVEY DOUBTFUL THURSDAY
Sharks right wing Todd Harvey injured his leg against Anaheim and will most likely miss the contest against Pittsburgh. The injury is not considered serious and Harvey is a possibility the following night against Anaheim, with his official status being day-to-day.
That definitely opens up a spot in the lineup, but who will benefit from the open slot will likely be decided tomorrow. Matt Bradley has been a healthy scratch and is a natural right wing. Patrick Marleau could also return to the lineup with Alex Korolyuk skating on the fourth line. But then again, Sutter could leave Marco Sturm at his natural center position as he did near the end of the Nashville game.
RobPearson