Red Wings Take 3-2 OT Win Over Sharks, San Jose Loses Third In A Row

Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp (18) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during overtime in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Little Caesars Pizza Palace in Detroit (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

San Jose twice found responses to the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night at little Caesars Arena, but Andrew Copp scored 25 seconds into overtime to hand the Sharks (14-25-10) their third loss in a row and sixth loss in seven games.

Erik Karlsson assisted on both Sharks goals, strikes by Logan Couture and Timo Meier and James Reimer made 32 saves in the loss. Ville Husso made 28 saves in net for the Red Wings (20-18-8), Michael Rasmussen had a goal and an assist and Adam Erne also lit the lamp for the Winged Wheel.

Copp’s game winner, his fifth of the year, came on a net front scramble after a Rasmussen shot bounced off Reimer. With Reimer down and all skaters searching for the puck, Copp picked up the loose change to end the game.

Erne opened the scoring on a tip-in 2:17 into the second period, but Timo Meier was able to cash in on a wrap around from behind the net to Husso’s left, scoring his 28th goal of the year 7:58 into the period. Karlsson and Tomas Hertl assisted on the goal.

While Little Caesars may not have the lively boards that Joe Louis Arena was known for, the Wings still can benefit from a Detroit bounce from time to time.

That was the case for Rasmussen’s goal, after a clearing attempt off the glass by a Sharks defender found its way right back into the slot on an unexpected carom. Rasmussen was there to wire it home past Reimer for a 2-1 Detroit lead with 3:31 left in the second.

Couture tied the game in the closing seconds of the middle frame, beating Husso with just seven seconds remaining before the second intermission. Karlsson took a pair of shots that took healthy bounces off a pair of Wings defenders. Couture, waiting to Husso’s left, managed to bat the puck out of mid-air for his 17th goal of the year.

Nico Sturm nearly won the game for San Jose on a breakaway after a dogged back check forced a Wings turn over, but Husso was able to shut the door to set up Copp’s heroics.

The Sharks continue the arduous roadie, heading to Carolina to face Brent Burns Friday night. They’ll then head to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins in a back-to-back before adjourning for the All-star Break. They’ll open post break with contests against the Lightning and Panthers on the road , finishing up with another road game in Washington D.C. Sunday the 12th. In total, that’s four playoff teams of five with the Panthers also waiting in the playoff wings.

Sharks Shut Out By B’s 4-0; SJ’s fourth loss in five games

San Jose Sharks left wing Alexander Barabanov (94) is unable to get the puck past Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) in the second period at TD Garden in Boston on Sun Jan 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks were shut out by the the league leader Boston Bruins 4-0 Sunday from TD Garden, dropping their second game in as many nights to kick off an eight game road trip.

San Jose (14-25-9) managed just 18 shots on goal, failing to slip a puck past Linus Ullmark and a brief appearance by Jeremy Swayman while the starter was getting a skate blade repaired. San Jose managed just five shots in each of the first two periods. The Bruins (37-5-4) have now won 11 in a row against San Jose.

Hampus Lindholm beat James Reimer 7:16 into the first period and fellow defenseman Charlie McAvoy dangled through a trio of Sharks to score his fourth goal of the year 4:08 into the second.

Nick Foligno tipped a puck past James Reimer 7:46 into the second and David Pastrnak scored his 36th of the year on the power play 2:40 into the third.

The Sharks were able to limit the Bruins shot totals, suppressing them to 22 shots though four found their way behind the goalie. They did kill off two penalties, but went 0-for-2 on the power play. 

Up next is another Original Six match up for Team Teal. They face the Detroit Red Wings in Motown on Tuesday. They will then get a steady diet of playoff hopefuls starting with games in Carolina and Pittsburgh before heading to the Allstar Break.

Blue Jackets Rally Late to Topple Sharks 5-3

San Jose Sharks’ Nick Bonino, left, carries the puck behind the net as Columbus Blue Jackets’ Sean Kuraly defends during the first period at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sat Jan 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks took the lead 1:53 into the third period, but the Columbus Blue Jackets scored three unanswered goals at home to beat San Jose 5-3 Saturday night. Nick Bonino and Timo Meier scored the Sharks, while Nico Sturm had a team best two points on a goal and an assist.

Kaapo Kahkonen made 24 saves on 28 shots for San Jose (14-24-9), while Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves on 25 shots for Columbus. five different Blue Jackets (14-30-2) had two-point nights to snap a three-game losing skid, sitting in last place in the league standings with 30 points.

The 3-2 lead wasn’t the first to slip out of the Sharks’ grasp. Meier scored his 27^th goal 10:49 into the first period and Bonino doubled the lead 2-0 5:39 into the second on a wrap around. Free agent signing Johnny Gaudreau scored a power play goal  11:19 into the second and Boone Jenner beat Kahkonen on a wrist shot at the 12:31 mark of the middle frame to tie the game.

After Sturm gave the Sharks the 3-2 lead on an unassisted strike, Patrick Laine picked up his 13^th goal of the year at the 3:04 mark of the third. Former Shark Gustav Nyquist provided the game-winner at the 12:38 mark with Kent Johnson picking up his second assist of the game on the goal.

Sean Kuraly scored the empty netter with 1:04 left in regulation for the 5-3 final. Gaudreau (1-1-2), Nyquist(1-1-2), Laine (1-1-2) and Nick Blankenburg (0-2-2) were the other multi-pointers for CBJ.

The Sharks go from worst to first in terms of opponents. They head to Boston for a lopsided back-to-back, facing the Bruins at TD Garden Sunday night. James Reimer, fresh off his 200^th career victory, is expected to start for San Jose.

Sharks Lose 4-3, Suffer Season Sweep to Kings

Jonathan Quick (32) Los Angeles Kings goaltender congratulates teammate and starting goaltender Phoenix Copley (29) after defeating the visiting San Jose Sharks at Crypto.com Arena on Wed Jan 11, 2023 (Los Angeles Kings photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks scored their first power play goal of 2023 but it wasn’t enough to stave off a season sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night in LA. Nick Bonino scored an un assisted goal and Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl lit the lamp but a pair of third period goals boosted the Kings to a 4-3 victory.

Adrian Kempe started the scoring for the Kings, beating James Reimer 5:59 into the game for a 1-0 lead. Kempe shoveled a puck fed from Quentin Byfield below the goalline past Reimer’s opposite side pad for his 18th goal of the year.

The Kings would fire 22 shots on Reimer but he stood tall apart from the one blemish, giving Bonino a chance to tie the game 1:20 into the 2nd period. LA goalie Pheonix Copley flubbed a shot from Erik Karlsson that went in and out of his glove. He tried to play the puck away from danger but heeled it, giving Bonino the gimme backhander for his 5th of the year.

Kings prospect Byfield scored his 1st goal of the year in 15 games, handing LA the 2-1 lead 6:58 into the 2nd on a netfront tip that beat Reimer five-hole. Timo Meier responded though, snapping am 0-for-16 power play drought when his wrister beat Copley at the 10:11 mark of the third period. Logan Couture and Erik Karlsson assisted on the goal.

The tie would last only 2:29 when Gabe Vilardi would beat Reimer with another slot tip for his 17th of the year. Drew Doughty then cashed in as a wide open trailer in what would become a 3-on-2 at the 13:33 mark for a 4-2 lead.

Tomas Hertl scored as the Sharks were attempting to pull Reimer with 2:06 left in regulation. Alexander Barabanov took the shot that presumably knicked Hertl on the way in with Meier also getting an assist for his 2nd point of the night.

The Sharks return home for a three-game homestand before hitting the road for 8 games with the All-star break in between the away set.

Sharks Ring in New Year with 5-2 Dismantling of Blackhawks

San Jose Sharks’ Jonah Gadjovich (42) celebrates with teammates Tomas Hertl and Oskar Lindblom (23) after scoring during the second period at the United Center in Chicago on Sun Jan 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

by Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks started the new year with a bang, beating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 from the United Center Sunday night. Erik Karlsson set the Sharks point streak record at 13 games with a pair of assists, 5 different Sharks scored and Oskar Lindblom and Logan Couture also had pairs of assists each.

Patrick Kane scored for the Blackhawks who have now lost 12 of their last 13 games to go with a league wide low of 20 points.Kane put the Blackhawks on the board first, scoring his 7th goal at the 6:40 mark of the second period. Sam Lafferty tipped a puck past Kaapo Kähkönen at the 13:30 mark for a 2-0 edge. Kähkönen would make 20 saves on 22 shots.

A rare goal from Jonah Gadjovich at the 15:12 mark on a netfront scrum tip-in pulled the Sharks within one, then Marc-Edouard Vlasic redirected a puck off a Matt Benning pass to tie the game 41 seconds later. It was Vlasic’s first goal of the year.

Alexander Barabanov gave the Sharks the lead late in the 2nd, beating Petr Mrazek with 1:26 left in the middle frame.

Mrazek would make 23 saves on 28 shots. Timo Meier scored his 21st of the year and Evegeny Svechnikov his 4th in the third.

The Sharks now get nearly a week off. They will face the Ducks in Anaheim before facing the Bruins at home Saturday.

Sharks Lose Last Game of 2022 5-2 in Dallas

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) celebrates after his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Sat Dec 31, 2022 (AP New photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks are ready to put 2022 behind them, finishing the calendar year with one last loss to the Dallas Stars 5-2 from the Big D Saturday night. Alexander Barabanov and Oskar Lindblom scored for the Sharks while Dallas had five different goal scorers. Radim Simek was injured in the game and did not return. 

Barabanov opened the scoring 5:13 into play om a wrist shot, with Matt Benning and Erik Karlsson assisting on the goal. For Karlsson, the helper is his 38th of the year.

Former Shark Joe Pavelski scored on his patented tip on a power play chance for Dallas to tie the game 1-1, his 12th goal of the year at the 10:22 mark. Dallas poured another power play goal on at the 12:34 mark when superstar Jason Robertson beat James Reimer after s from many men penalty.

Lindblom tied the game at the 9:03 mark of the second, his third goal of the year with assists by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Nico Sturm.

Fredrik Olofsson scored his first career goal for a 3-2 lead just 1:42 later with Pavelski picking up an assist for a multipoint night. Roope Hintz scored a shorthanded goal with 4:42 left in regulation, his 19th, to give the Stars a comfortable lead late. Esa Lindell scored the empty netter to seal the win 5-2.

The Sharks look to bounce back Sunday when they face the Blackhawks in Chicago.

Reimer Sharp but Sharks Lose 3-2 Shootout to Kings

Los Angeles Kings’ Trevor Moore (12) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer in a shootout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Dec 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

James Reimer made 39 saves in his second game back from injury but the San Jose Sharks dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Los Angeles Kings from the Crypto.com Arena. Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc scored in the loss, while Phillip Danault and Jaret Anderson-Dolan lit the lamp for LA(17-12-5).

Trevor Moore scored the shootout winner and Pheonix Copley stopped Alexander Barabanov to seal the loss for San Jose (10-16-6).

Danault opened the scoring on the power play 5:54 into the game when he managed to enter the zone and get Jaycob Megna turned around, roofing the puck for his 8th goal of the year with Drew Doughty and the goalie Copley picking up assists.

The Sharks evened it up on the power play with 6:37 left in the period when Erik Karlsson’s point shot rattled around before finding its way to Timo Meier on the opposite post. Meier knocked the puck home for his 15th of the year with Logan Couture picking up the primary assist in the aftermath of the Karlsson shot.

Labanc gave the Sharks a short-lived lead, scoring on a wrist shot with 4:34 left in the second. Meier chased down a failed backhand clearance from Sean Durzi then stripped Danault of the puck in the Kings zone. He then fed Labanc unmarked in the slot for the wrister.

The Kings tied it up just 50 seconds later when Mikey Anderson’s shot bounced off Reimer and landed at the feet of Anderson-Dolan for the second chance goal.

Neither team scored in the third period and the Sharks failed to cash in on an overtime power play. Gabe Vilardi and Logan Couture shared misses on the first two shootout attempts, then Reimer and Copley made saves in round two. The Kevin’s, Fiala and Labanc, scored for their respective teams in round three.

Moore scored in round four and wound up with his second shootout game winner courtesy a Copley stop of Barabanov after getting the decision against Boston Thursday as well (and inking a contract extention too).

The Sharks head home for a back-to-backer, facing Calgary Sunday at SAP Center. They won’t have to wait long for their next opponent to come to town as they’ll face the Flames again Tuesday before welcoming the Minnesota Wild Thursday.

Bonino, Lindblom score First of Year, Sharks Still Drop 6-3 Decision to Sabres to Wrap Road Trip

San Jose Sharks center Steven Lorentz (16) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (45) battle for the puck during the second period at Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Sun Dec 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington 

Another night, another rough second period that went from a lead to a loss for the San Jose Sharks. The Buffalo Sabres hung three unanswered goals on the Sharks (8-16-4) in the second period Sunday from KeyBank Center in Buffalo to hand the San Jose its third loss, 6-3, in a four-game road trip.

Nick Bonino and Oskar Lindblom scored their first goals of the season, but the good vibes stopped there. Jack Quinn had a pair of goals for Buffalo (11-13-1) who outshot the Sharks 38-29. Buffalo’s power play went 2 for 4.

San Jose held a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes despite Tage Thompson and the Sabres scoring first. Bonino tied the game at the 13:40 mark on a snap shot and Kevin Labanc scored his fifth of the year on the power play with 3:41 left in the period. 

The lead only lasted 16 seconds into the 2nd when JJ Peterka scored his sixth of the year. Jeff Skinner joined the scored at the 4:21 mark for a 3-2 lead, then Quinn scored the eventual game winner on the power play with 6:15 left in the middle frame.

Quinn opened the scoring in the third as well, beating Aaron Dell 11:23 into the period. Dell made 32 saves on 37 shots Linblom scored his first as a Shark just 29 seconds later to make it 5-3 but Alex Tuch’s 12th of the year into an empty net with 3:23 doubled the Sharks up again. 

San Jose gets a little rest and a return trip home after stops in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and now Buffalo. They’ll next face Vancouver at home Wednesday night.

Sharks Rough Roadie Continues with 5- 2 Loss to Sens

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) falls onto San Jose Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna (24) as they skate next to Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) during the second period at Canadian Tire Arena in Ottawa on Sat Dec 4, 2022 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks fell victim to a scorching hot opponent, falling to the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on the road Saturday night. Tomas Hertl scored both Sharks goal but a three-point night gave the Senators (10-13-1) their fourth win in five games. Kaapo Kähkönen made 34 saves in the loss while Anton Forsberg earned the win with 35 saves on 37 Sharks shots. The penalty kill for the Sharks (8-15-4) had a tough night, giving up 3 goals on 5 chances.

Hertl scored the first goal of the game on the power play 7:26 into the first period after the Sharks power play turned Forsberg into a target in a shooting gallery. A first shot rebounded out to Alexander Barabanov but Forsberg’s athleticism allowed him to make the save. He wasn’t as fortunate with Hertl on rebound chance number two for a 1-0 lead.

Ottawa answered back with a power play strike of their own when Brady Tkachuk beat Kähkönen just under three minutes later. He missed on a net front redirect but pushed the rebound home for his 12th goal of the year.On the next shift Hertl found redemption for a neutral zone gaffe he made in the 3-1 loss to Toronto earlier in the week.

Just outside Ottawa’s blue line Hertl blocked an Ottawa pass to go the other way. Kevin Labanc carried in the puck, passed it to former Sen Erik Karlsson on the opposite boards. Karlsson fed Hertl in close for the easy goal, his of ninth the year, and a 2-1 lead with 8:57 left in the first period.

Despite a 27-25 shot advantage, the Sharks would be outscored by Ottawa 4-0 over the final two periods. Giroux scored an unassisted goal 5:22 into the second to tie the game and Tim Stützle scored the game-winner at the 16:40 mark on the power play.

Thomas Chabot scored his fourth goal of rhe campaign, with Giroux picking up a secondary assist on the power play strike. He’d added a second goal with 4:15 left for the final 5-2 marker, his 11th of the year.

The Sharks continue their tough road trip with a second back-to-back after playing in Montreal Tuesday and Toronto Wednesday. They face the Buffalo Sabres looking to split the road trip.

Late Error Costs Sharks in 3-1 Loss to Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitchell Marner, left, celebrates with Auston Matthews after scoring an empty-net goal at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Nov 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

A late goal sunk the San Jose Sharks in Toronto Wednesday night with the Sharks falling to the Maple Leafs 3-1 in the second game of a back-to-back.

Matt Nieto scored in a second consecutive contest and Aaron Dell made 29 saves in his first start of the year but Pierre Engvall goal with 2:27 left in regulation eliminated an opportunity for San Jose (8-14-4) to pick up a three-point (or more) trip through Canada’s Original Six squads. Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves in the win.

The Maple Leafs (15-5-5) had won four-straight entering play and took a 1-0 4:19 into the second period after sustained pressure in the offensive zone. On the goal Auston Matthews redirected a shot pass from Mac Hollowell for his 12th goal of the year.

Nieto scored his 6th of the year, matching his total from last year in 70 games, taking a feed from Logan Couture from behind the net for the point blank shot to tie the game 7:26 into the second frame.

The heartbreaker came with 2:27 left in regulation when the Sharks were attempting to rush up the ice. An errant Tomas Hertl pass in the neutral zone was picked off by David Kampf who rushed back into the offensive zone. He fed the puck to Alex Kerfoot, but Dell made the save. The rebound bounced to Engvall who potted it for his third of the season. Mitch Marner added an empty-netter to extend his point streak to 18 games.

The Sharks get a little rest before their next stop in Ottawa. They face the Senators Saturday night. The Sharks will be waiting in Kanata for the Sens who play against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Friday night.