Eyeing playoffs, can Sharks trust goalie Alex Nedeljkovic down the stretch? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
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Can the San Jose Sharks trust Alex Nedeljkovic down the stretch?
We’re about to find out.
It looks like Nedeljkovic’s net to lose, until the injured Yaroslav Askarov returns from a day-to-day lower-body injury.
Laurent Brossoit, the Sharks’ current back-up, does have loads of NHL experience, but because of injuries, he’s played just one game at the highest level over the last two years, a 7-4 loss at the Ottawa Senators on Mar. 15.
Meanwhile, Nedeljkovic hasn’t been razor-sharp in his last two starts, including Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He’s given up 10 goals on 48 shots in these defeats.
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But before this, from Jan. 6 to Mar. 14, Nedeljkovic was a sterling 8-1-1 with a .924 Save %. In comparison, Askarov was 4-7-2 with an .868 Save %.
The San Jose Sharks need somebody, anybody, to help lead them to the playoffs. Why not Nedeljkovic?
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