GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 02: Goaltender Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks puts on his mask during a break from the NHL preseason game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on October 2, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 3-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The gamble on Martin Jones is paying off big for the Sharks

The San Jose Sharks took a considerable risk when they dealt a first-round pick to the Boston Bruins in exchange for goaltender Martin Jones. Jones had been a stellar but underused backup for Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles. He posted an encouraging but small 34-game sample size. There wasn’t much to go off, but San Jose needed stability between the pipes. The Sharks needed a goalie who could deliver when it counted, and so far Jones has met their need.

Jones started off his first month in San Jose on fire. In October, he only allowed 14 goals in eight starts and looked like a sure-fire number one goalie. For the next three months, however, Jones’ performance dipped. In 33 games from November 1st to February 2nd, Jones posted a putrid .919 even strength save percentage. The Sharks managed to stay afloat thanks to a great roster, but Jones wasn’t doing the team any favors with his poor play. The Sharks opted to acquire James Reimer from the Toronto Maple Leafs as an insurance policy, but thankfully Jones found a second wind and finished the season strong with an improved .926 even strength save percentage in his final 24 games.

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14:  Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks in goal against the Los Angeles Kings in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 14: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks in goal against the Los Angeles Kings in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Still, there were plenty of questions about Jones going into the playoffs. His regular season 37-23-4 record looked nice, especially with a 2.27 GAA and .918 save percentage, but Jones was one of the least tested goalies in the league. The playoffs would be a different beast.

Sharks fans remember how Antti Niemi laid an egg in the 2013-14 playoffs, playing so poorly that backup Alex Stalock was forced into action instead. It would be totally fair if they had the same trepidations about Jones, given his relative inexperience. So far, Jones has put all the doubt to bed.

Jones has been outstanding through seven starts in the NHL playoffs. He’s posted a terrific .944 even strength save percentage, leading the Sharks to a series win against his former Cup winning Kings squad. He’s maintained a high level of play against the Nashville Predators, including a playoff best 37 save performance in a Game 2 victory, giving the San Jose a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Logan Couture applauded Jones for bailing out the team in Game 2.

“I thought they were better than us for the majority of that game,” Couture told NHL.com. “Like I said, a lot of guys didn’t bring their best effort tonight, and we got bailed out by Jones making some big saves. We spent too much time in our end. We made mistakes that we really haven’t been making throughout the playoffs so far. Trying to get fancy through the neutral zone, turning pucks over, not being strong enough in our own end. We weren’t our best, but we found a way. Jones was a big part of it.”

Jones has earned the respect of his Sharks teammates and has become a huge part in turning the Sharks into Stanley Cup contenders. Sure, he’s not giving them consistently amazing, game-stealing performances all the time, but he’s been good enough that San Jose doesn’t have to worry about who’s starting behind the pipes. He’s confident and steady, and right now, that’s exactly what the Sharks need. Jones has more than proved he’s a number one goalie, who is a perfect fit in San Jose.

In retrospect, acquiring Jones for a first-round pick might turn out to be a massive steal. The Sharks did well to sign him for a relatively small, three-year, $9 million deal. Considering how far Jones is taking San Jose, that deal already looks amazing. He was steady in the regular season and has been dynamic in the NHL playoffs. He’s been the remedy to the Sharks goaltending issues. Jones has found a long-term home in San Jose.

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com

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