The Sharks get shout out and blown out 6-0 by the Golden Knights to conclude their 2021 season with a 21-28-7 record in the West Division. In all, the Sharks were not able to win a single game against Vegas this season.
To be honest, I kinda saw this coming from a mile away. It didn't take long for the Knights to find the back of the net early in the first period from Alex Pietrangelo to start the Sharks' final game of the season. Following the first goal by Pietrangelo was a goal by Keegan Kolesar to put the Golden Knights up by two. Vegas proceeded to score two goals in each of the next two periods: one each from William Carrier and Jonathan Marchessault in the second, and two from Dylan Sikura in the third.
Alexei Melnichuk got his second NHL start in the Sharks' last game of the season, and he was left out to dry with no support from his offense or defense. Melnichuk made saves on 38 of 44 shots against, and being thrown in against a powerhouse Golden Knights team may have stunted his development heading into next season for all we know.
One of the best chances the Sharks had to get on the board all night was on a breakaway attempt by Patrick Marleau, which Marc-Andre Fleury was able to get a piece of and deflect away from the net.
Speaking of Patrick Marleau, we may have witnessed what could be his final game with the Sharks and possibly his entire playing career. If that's the case, it will be sad and mark the end of an era in San Jose and maybe the NHL. However, it still seems like Patty still has some gas left in the tank for another season or two to potentially go after the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup. He also received a marvelous framed drawing of him with Gordie Howe in his shadow, along with Gordie Howe's last stick he ever used in his last NHL game as gifts for a historic season. This such an amazing gift to receive for breaking an all-time record that may never be broken by anyone else in the NHL ever again. Replacing Godie Howe's last stick ever used in the Hockey Hall of Fame is a stick Patrick Marleau used in his record-breaking 1,768th game in Vegas last month.
On a more positive note, the Sharks were able to re-sign Alexander Barabanov to a one-year, one-way, $1 million contract extension. Barabanov has played well ever since he was acquired from the Maple Leafs by the Sharks at the deadline and well enough to be placed on the top line with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane. I'm glad Barabanov is sticking around in San Jose for at least next season because he has earned his spot in the Sharks' lineup. In addition, the Sharks also signed prospects Adam Raska and Santeri Hatakka to three-year, entry-level deals.
And just like that, the Sharks' 2021 season is complete. This season had some great moments for the Sharks, but it was ultimately a transition year that was mostly forgettable. I can't wait to see what changes the Sharks make to their roster this offseason to put themselves in a better position to compete next season.
In the meantime, in the next few days, I plan to rank the 2021 Sharks roster based on their performances and how much I like each player, in addition to giving my first round playoff predictions once all the match-ups have officially been determined.
Thank you for following along with my Sharks game recaps this season, and I look forward to seeing you again when the Sharks hit the ice next season for a full 82 games and the return of the regular division format.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App
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