Jaycob Megna admitted it was “nice” to get his first goal of the season in the Sharks’ 4-2 win over the Coyotes.
- Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be 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.
PHOENIX – Change a player’s role, get a different player.
Last year, Matt Nieto was used primarily as a third-line shutdown winger by Bob Boughner. Nieto and regular linemates Nick Bonino and Andrew Cogliano couldn’t transcend the role, and Nieto had just six goals and 11 assists in 70 games.
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SIGN UP HERE This season, David Quinn has elevated Nieto to the second line next to Logan Couture and Alexander Barabanov, and credit to the 30-year-old, he’s responded. In just 38 games, he already has eight goals. Since Oct. 27, when he was installed next to Couture and Barabanov, he’s scored seven goals in 29 games, including the game-winner last night in a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
Nieto isn’t the most-skilled player, but he doesn’t need to be with Couture and Barabanov.
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“I think when you have successful lines, you got different pieces to it. It’s not just all related to skill,” Quinn said. “And that being said, Matt certainly has enough skill to complement both Barbie and Cooch.”
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