The Sharks have a legitimate problem. Entering
the second month of the season, San Jose has lost 6 of their last 9 games and
are doing it in less than captivating fashion. The offense has vanished without
a trace and every lineup change and post game motivational jab has led to the
same outcome of late. After last season's emergence, the start of the 2026-27
campaign has been nothing short of a letdown. Monday night's contest just added
to the misery as the rebuilding Calgary Flames waltzed out of town with a 2-1
win at SAP Center.
San Jose's offense is non-existent right now and
there doesn't appear to be an answer around the corner. At the end of the day,
this is still a young team that's learning how to compete at the NHL level and
every opponent seemingly has them figured out right now.
Generating
offense isn't easy at the NHL level, but the Sharks have mastered the
lethargic.
As has become all too frequent, the Sharks found themselves
trailing in the 1st period once again. Calgary played the heavy style that is
their new identity and it wore on the Sharks. That style of play would result
in a 12-6 shot advantage for the Flames.
They would take the 1-0 lead
14:36 into the frame on a terrible giveaway from Nolan Allan who tried to exit
the zone with a pass off the left wing boards through the middle of the ice.
Adam Klapka intercepted that pass at the Sharks blueline then took two strides
down the slot before uncorking a 40-foot that got past Yaroslav Askarov.
San Jose mustered a single shot in the final 8+ minutes of the period.
The offensive chances started to open up a bit in the middle period,
but Gilroy native Dustin Wolf held the Sharks in check. Kiefer Sherwood had a
nice opportunity in front of the net, but was too tight to Wolf. That chance
ended with a shot into Wolf's chest.
Wolf entered the game with a
career 10-2 record against San Jose with a 2.08 goals against average, and a
.919 save percentage. Every one of those numbers got better by the time this
one was over.
In a pivotal 3rd period, San Jose's quest to draw even
was answered with a William Stromgren goal at the 9:14 mark. It was the 1st NHL
goal for the rookie forward and it came courtesy of lackadaisical defense.
After the Flames worked the puck out of their own end, Adam Klapka lumbered his
way down ice with Kiefer Sherwood in tow. Sherwood lost his feet allowing
Klapka to flop his way to the right corner where he regained his skates and
flipped the puck to the front of the net.
Mason Marchment floated back defensively, allowing
Stromgren to chip at the puck, and depositing it past Askarov for the 2-0 lead.
Overcoming a 2-goal lead is hard enough, but when you're struggling
offensively it's an impossibility.
Sam Dickinson finally converted his
1st of the season with 8:03 remaining in regulation to give the 13,098 paid a
glimmer of hope. The young defenseman pinched while a scrum ensued out in front
of the Flames net. Dickinson fished the puck out of sea of skates then flipped
it over Wolf's right pad to cut the Flames lead to 2-1.
A slew of
almosts would follow. The sharks would out-shoot the Flames 10-4 in the final
frame, but Wolf worked his magic. Even pulling the goaltender for an extra
attacker with 1:45 to play couldn't help.
The Sharks would fall again
and the offensive woes roll on.
Game Notes: * The
Sharks rolled out a 1st power play unit that was made up entirely of forwards.
* San Jose unveiled their Hometown Remix jerseys for the first time.
They are certainly an acquired taste, featuring a lighter and brighter teal
with a large SJ logo. The sleeves have Sharks teeth and a pink trim which is
supposed to represent Sharks gums.
* Macklin Celebrini's offensive
drought has now extended to 6-games without a goal.
* Kiefer Sherwood
has recorded points in 6 of his last 7 games. Jacob Trouba has recorded points
in 5 of his last 7 games. Both players assisted on Sam Dickinson's goal.
* San Jose had 70 shot attempts on the night (27 shots, 23 missed
shots and 20 shots blocked). The missed shot volume is a point of concern as
half of those came off uncontested attempts.
