The Sharks can't buy a break these days. Teams
wallowing in the standings basement really don't deserve breaks, but you'd
think there would be some balance when playing other cell-dwellars. The wasn't
the case on Friday night. Failing to play with the intensity that David Quinn
has preached all season, they lost a 3rd period lead on an antiquated
interpretation of the offside rule, then coughed up the game in overtime on a
simple turnover.
More to come on the non-offside call, but the bigger
issue was Tomas Hertl's lack of puck management in overtime, which setup a
2-on-1 break in the extra period that Mason McTavish would bury to send the
Sharks to their 3rd loss against Anaheim this season. Anaheim entered play with
a firm grip on the Pacific Division basement, 6 points behind the Sharks. With
their victory, Anaheim pulls to within 2 wins of equaling the Sharks.
Hertl tried back skating a puck in front of the Anaheim bench was pinched
against the boards and promptly coughed it up. Anaheim scores, game over. San
Jose held a 4-3 lead with under 6 minutes to play, but maintaining goals isn't
exactly a strong suit for the Sharks this season.
Matt Nieto staked
the Sharks to the early lead just 33 seconds into the game. Alexander Barabanov
raced up the right wing with Ryan Strome on his heels. The Sharks forward tried
to jam a shot past Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz, but Anaheim got the stop.
Nieto was on the off wing and beat John Klingberg to the top of the crease for
the put back goal.
San Jose doubled their lead at 6:03 when Steven
Lorentz tipped an Erik Karlsson shot from the right point. Lorentz was
positioned in the slot with Colton White and Oskar Lindblom jostling for
position at the top of the crease. That pair likely impeded Stolarz view of
Karlsson's shot.
Sam Carrick engaged Jonah Gadjovich with a spirited
fight that eventually charged up the Ducks, who would answer with a pair of
goals before the intermission.
Trevor Zegras scored his 11th of the
season at 6:38, roofing a shot from the left dot after Klingberg walked the
puck in on Kaapo Kahkonen before dishing to his left.
Strome tied the
game at 14:15 after he got position on Nieto at the top of the crease and
tapped home a McTavish feed from the right side.
San Jose reclaimed
the lead, albeit short-lived, 10:16 into the 2nd period. Kevin Labanc threw the
puck in on net from the right wing boards near the top of the circle, slipping
it over Stolarz right shoulder. There was some debate on if Timo Meier touched
the puck after it left Labanc's stick.
The Sharks fell victim to a
horrific bounce, when a puck that Anaheim tried to wind around the end boards
hit a stanchion and deflected to the front of the net. Kahkonen was standing
behind his net trying to intercept the puck, which allowed McTavish to stuff
home his 8th goal of the season.
Labanc answered 14 seconds later with a shot from
the high slot. Once again, Meier was in the vicinity, and there was debate on
if he touched this one we well. The puck tuck a downward trajectory, but that
could have been the shot hitting Stolarz stick.
Khakonen made the save
of the game at the 15 minute mark, stretching to his left to rob John
Klingberg.
McTavish tied the game with 6:47 left in regulation but
Sharks head coach David Quinn challenged that Anaheim was offside. After a
lengthy review, Adam Henrique was ruled to be onside, as McTavish was not
physically touching the puck after crossing the Sharks blueline.
Game Notes: * Erik Karlsson extended his franchise record for
most consecutive games with an assist at 14.
* Kaapo Kahkonen's goals
against average and save percentage ballooned to 3.79 and .870. You're not
wining many games if you're averaging just under 4 goals a game.
*
Alexander Barabanov and Matt Benning extended their scoring streaks to 3 games
each.
* Timo Meier led all skaters with 10 shots on goal.
*
The Sharks return home to play the Boston Bruins on Saturday. They will then
head out on the road for a pair of games against west coast opponents.
