It was a back-and-forth high-scoring affair between the Sharks and Blues Saturday night. Although the Sharks scored the most goals they had in a game this season, they still found a way to lose as they fell to the Blues 7-6.
The Sharks had a great first period, starting with Timo Meier's first of the game 17 seconds in, with assists from Dylan Gambrell and Rudolfs Balcers. Following Timo's first goal was the first of many times the other team answered back after getting scored on, this time by Marco Scandella to tie it at one. Evander Kane scored his first goal of the game minutes later on the power play to put the Sharks ahead 2-1 before the end of the first period, with assists from Logan Couture and Brent Burns.
The scoring continued in alternating fashion early in the second period starting with Sammy Blais to tie the game at two for the Blues. Team Teal answers back with Timo Meier's second of the game to get their lead back 3-2. The Blues tie the game again about a minute later on a goal by Brayden Schenn. Not long after it was tied at three, Evander Kane tallies his second of the game to go ahead 4-3. Jordan Binnington was then pulled from the game, and on his way off the ice and into the dressing room, he shoved Radim Simek, fake-punched Erik Karlsson, and had a brief confrontation with Devan Dubnyk after Dubnyk told Binnington to get off the ice, almost instigating a goalie fight. I understand that Binnington was frustrated after getting pulled in the second period, but his actions following getting pulled were completely unnecessary and unwarranted.
Following Binnington's exit and the insertion of Ville Husso in net for the Blues, Zach Sanford ties the game yet again, with the score remaining tied at four at the end of two.
The Sharks looked great and kept St. Louis in check through two periods, but the first half of the third was the turning point in this game. Early in the third period marked the first time the Sharks were trailing in this game after Mackenzie MacEachern scored to make it 5-4 in favor of the Blues. Kevin Labanc gets the equalizer about a minute later to tie it at five, getting assists from John Leonard and Timo Meier. Soon after, Ryan O'Reilly gives the lead back to the Blues 6-5. Like with most of this game, the same theme reigns supreme as Logan Couture ties the game at six with his team-leading 11th goal of the season. Brent Burns and Mario Ferraro got the helpers on the last Sharks goal of the game. Last but not least, Marco Scandella netted his second goal of the game, second goal of the season, and the game-winner at the 7:14 mark of the third to make it 7-6. I thought there would possibly be additional scoring in the second half of the final period, but there wasn't. I was somewhat amazed that the Sharks scored as many goals as they did in this game considering how inconsistent their offense has been this season.
In addition, last night's game tied an NHL record for the most game-tying goals in a regular-season game with six. Like in many games this season, the Sharks defense looked terrible in this game, especially in the third period. Bob Boughner should've considered pulling Devan Dubnyk after he gave up seven in last night's contest, but I feel like the Sharks' confidence in in either Martin Jones or Alexei Melnichuk's ability to keep the goals against intact after giving up that many goals has dwindled. Speaking of Melnichuk, the Sharks stated that they don't plan to start him anytime soon as they fear that starting him in a game this season with the team in front of him would stunt his development.
The biggest lineup change in last night's game besides Dubnyk in net was Erik Karlsson and Radim Simek's return to the lineup as the third defense pair.
Overall, last night's game was very frustrating after San Jose still found a way to lose despite having plenty of offense to go around. However, this was a crazy and interesting game to say the least. Things aren't looking good for the Sharks right now, but there should be no giving up on the season just yet.
The Sharks' next miniseries is against the Avalanche starting on Monday at 7:30 pm PT and concluding on Wednesday at the same time, followed by two games against the Golden Knights on Friday and Saturday. If the Sharks can at least split each of their next two miniseries this coming week, that would be great.
On a side note, Stefan Noesen recently cleared waivers and will be getting at least a few games in for the Barracuda in the AHL as there isn't really a spot for him on the Sharks' roster right now.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL app
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