Sharks Game 55 Recap: Coyotes 5, Sharks 4 (OT) (5/8/21)

 The Sharks and Coyotes engaged in a mostly back-and-forth scoring affair, but it was the Coyotes who gained the upper hand as Arizona defeated San Jose 5-4 in overtime in their season series finale. 

It all began almost three-and-a-half minutes into the first when Christian Dvorak scored his first goal of the game to give the Coyotes the early lead. The Sharks proceed to tie it up from Rudolfs Balcers, with Sasha Chmelevski getting his second NHL assist and Dylan Gambrell getting the secondary assist on the early game-tying goal. The Coyotes then go ahead on their power play on Christian Dvorak's second goal of the game. In the later half of the first, Kevin Labanc ties the game at two. 

About five-and-a-half minutes into the second, Timo Meier grabs the Sharks' first lead of the night on a nifty, skillful play in front of the net, with Kevin Labanc assisting on the go-ahead goal. Soon after, the Coyotes tie the game again, this time by Jan Jenik. 

Late in the third period, Arizona goes back on top 4-3 via Connor Garland. With about a minute left in regulation, Alexander Barabanov scores a crucial and huge game-tying goal for the Sharks to force overtime, with great passing from his linemates Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane to complete the play. 

It only took a few minutes into overtime for none other than Phil Kessel to score his 20th goal of the season to win it for the Coyotes in his 900th consecutive game. This is also Kessel's 10th goal against the Sharks this season, more than any other opponent the Yotes faced this season. 

Alexei Melnichuk made his first NHL start in net for the Sharks last night, stopping 27 of 32 shots against. He was decent in his first NHL start but still has room to develop and improve. 

The Sharks finished their season series with the Coyotes with a 3-4-1 record. Since the Coyotes will be moving to the Central Division with the Seattle Kraken entering the league, the Sharks will not be facing the Coyotes as frequently moving forward, which I am totally fine with. 

San Jose has one game remaining in their 2021 campaign, which is Wednesday versus the Golden Knights at 6 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App