Sharks 2021-22 Game 3 Recap: Sharks 2, Senators 1 (10/21/21)

 The Sharks continue their hot start to the 2021-22 season with their third-straight win, a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. 

San Jose gave up the first goal at around the midway point of the first period to Drake Batherson to start this game, but it gets better. Kevin Labanc appears to go top corner and tie the game shortly after the first goal by the Sens, but it was overturned due to Brent Burns and Nick Bonino going offside before the puck crossed the blue line for them to set up the play. 

All the Sharks needed were two second period goals to wrap this one up, which were from Logan Couture and Kevin Labanc respectively. Labanc redeemed himself from his first goal that was overturned with an incredible slapshot on the power play that proved to be the game-winner. Brent Burns, Timo Meier, Erik Karlsson, and William Eklund each recorded an assist in San Jose's victory over Ottawa. This is William Eklund's third-consecutive game with a helper, and EK65 already has five points in the Sharks' first three games. In addition, Team Teal is now 5 for 12 on the man advantage, which is already a huge step above the past two seasons. Some Sharks players are now referring to Kevin Labanc as Kevin Ovechkin due to a massive improvement in his game. 

James Reimer was fantastic in his first start of the season and his second tenure with the Sharks, making 30 saves and posting a .968 save percentage. 

A significant milestone was reached in this game as well, as Brent Burns skated in his 600th consecutive NHL game and recorded points in his previous 14 games against the Senators.

This Sharks team has been a pleasant surprise to many and a ton of fun to watch so far. They'll definitely be a legit playoff contender if they can keep up their current level of play. San Jose is back at it again later today in Toronto against the Maple Leafs in the second leg of their first back-to-back of the season. Adin Hill will be back in net as the Sharks attempt to remain undefeated to start their 2021-22 campaign in Toronto on Friday, with puck drop at 3 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App