Sharks Game 51 Recap: Avalanche 4, Sharks 3 (5/1/21)

 The Sharks fall to the Avalanche 4-3 in their final road game of the season. 

The first goal of the game didn't come until the second period when Alexander Barabanov scored his second NHL goal, with assists from Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson. Later in the period, the Avalanche appeared to have tied it up, but luckily the Sharks catch a break after it was waved off due to Josef Korenar's mask falling off his head in the process of making a save. Colorado rebounded from that play by scoring twice within a three-minute span from Nathan MacKinnon and Andre Burakovsky to go up 2-1 through two periods of play. 

Things got more interesting in the final frame as there was a back-and-forth scoring affair between the Sharks and Avalanche. Patrik Nemeth starts the scoring affair in the third at around the nine-minute mark to give the Avs a two-goal lead, but the Sharks lessen their deficit to one after Logan Couture scores a shorty. In addition, Evander Kane records his 500th career point with an assist on the shorthanded Logan Couture goal. Couture's shorthanded goal was challenged by Avalanche coach Jared Bednar for goaltender interference, but it worked in the Sharks' favor as it was upheld and the Avalanche took a bench minor for delay of game. 

Mikko Rantanen scores with about four and a half minutes remaining to give the Avalanche back their two-goal lead. The Sharks got back within a goal after Tomas Hertl deflected a shot from Brent Burns off his arm into the net to make it a 4-3 game. Alexander Barabanov got the secondary assist on the last goal and is already making an impact on this Sharks team. 

Despite the loss, Josef Korenar had a solid performance in net and shouldn't be the one to blame for the losing effort, stopping 40 of 44 shots against. Korenar made some incredible saves Saturday night, and I wouldn't be shocked at all if he becomes the Sharks' primary starting goalie next season and moving forward, although there should be some veteran presence in the Sharks' goaltending tandem that isn't Martin Jones. 

San Jose performed better in the second of four straight against Colorado, but it still wasn't enough for them to win. The Sharks' next and last two games against the Avalanche this season are Monday and Wednesday at SAP Center at 7:30 pm and 6:30 pm PT respectively.

 Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App