The loss of Joe Pavelski is a significant blow to the San Jose Sharks specially on offense. But the former captain brought so much more to the Sharks that can not get overlooked. One of the most important aspects to his game was his proficiency in the face-off circle.
Now the importance of a face-off is up for debate. It’s true that it is just another puck battle in a game full of countless others, however the situational importance of these stationary duels for possession often goes understated.
Pavelski took 989 face-offs during 2018 – 2019, finishing with the 2nd best FO win percentage on the Sharks (53.