Dubnyk shines in Sharks 5-4 loss to Blues

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Devan Dubnyk made his starting debut for the San Jose Sharks on Monday evening against the St. Louis Blues.

The result didn't go according to plan for both the netminder and the team in a 5-4 loss to the home team. The Sharks are now 1-2 to start the season.

The scoreboard in no way, shape, or form describes how well Dubnyk peformed for his new team. Neither does his stat line (28 saves on 33 shots and a .848 save percentage). The former first round pick of the Edmonton Oilers and Vezina Trophy finalist made huge save after huge save for the Sharks (13 in the first period alone), who traded for Dubnyk last October, especially in the second period when the Blues had the Sharks on their heels for the majority of the period. A period where St. Louis scored four of its five goals, seizing momentum after the Sharks commanded a 2-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes.

Both Dubynk and his fellow goalie Martin Jones have not been the reason for the Sharks slow start. They have been the victim of poor collective defensive play from both the defensemen and forwards. The fifth and game winning goal was a result of a bad line change that the Blues took advantage of. These lack of attention to details have left head coach Bob Boughner and his coaching staff scratching their heads.

"We have to clean up some of the dumb mistakes," said Boughner in his post game presser. "The reason why we lost this game tonight is because we made some bad decisions at the wrong time. That [line] change...that's what hurts more than anything. That change cost us the game."

Dubnyk said he was able to see the puck well throughout the game and admitted to having a case of the butterflies right at the opening faceoff.

"I felt good. The biggest thing for me is when my feet are set, where I am depth wise, where I need to be in the crease to be comfortable, allows me to execute and make the saves I want to be making. It was weird, a little bit of nerves at the start of the game. Being with a new group and wanting to play well for them. I've played a lot of games and those went away quick," Dubnyk said.

When Dubnyk was pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute of play, he and his goalie counterpart were seen having a discussion with each other talking about the game.

"He was asking me if I had seen the fifth goal, whether or not if I saw it because they were showing it on the jumbotron. Regular goalie banter," said Dubnyk.

San Jose has played well on special teams, scoring four power play goals in three games, and its penalty kill has been above average. They have struggled five-on-five so far and giving up 10 goals in the past two games has to be a concern for Boughner through the first three games. Whether or not the team can buck that trend on Wednesday, as they continue its season-opening eight-game roadtrip, Boughner can rest easy knowing that no matter who he puts in between the pipes, that will be the least of his worries going forward.