Sharks 2021-22 Game 4 Recap: Sharks 5, Maple Leafs 3 (10/22/21)

 The San Jose Sharks are now a perfect 4-0-0 to start the 2021-22 season, taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 Friday afternoon. This marks the first time since December 2016 that the Sharks swept the three Eastern Canadian teams in a road trip. 

The first period was pretty uneventful as it remained scoreless through one, but the barrage of scoring from both teams began in the second frame, starting with Logan Couture's first goal of the game. Marc-Eduoard Vlasic went behind the net to feed Couture for the first goal of the game. The Leafs answered with one from Jason Spezza to tie it at one. Moments later, the Sharks regain the lead on an amazing wrister from Timo Meier. It wouldn't be long before the Maple Leafs would tie it again on a breakaway attempt from Ondrej Kase. About a few minutes later, Erik Karlsson fires an incredible shot to make it 3-2 in favor of the Sharks and extend his point streak. 

San Jose opens the scoring to start the third period with Jonathan Dahlen's third goal of the year to give the Sharks a two-goal lead, getting assists from Logan Couture and Timo Meier. Later on in the third, Toronto gets one back via John Tavares to make it 4-3 Sharks. Lastly, with seconds remaining in the game, Logan Couture finds the empty net for his second goal of the game. In addition, Jake Middleton and Andrew Cogliano each recorded an assist in San Jose's 5-3 win over the Leafs. 

Adin Hill had another solid start in net, making some huge stops for a total of 30 saves on 33 shots against. 

Another thing I saw online was that Leafs fans were so frustrated with this game that one fan went as far as to throw their jersey onto the ice. This is an absolute disgrace, and no reasonable fan would give up a valuable possession like that. 

Although this game took place at a less-than-ideal time for me and many others (I had to be at work when this game was in action by the way), it is still great that the Sharks continue to be one of the hottest teams in the NHL to start the 2021-22 season. Very few pegged the Sharks to make the playoffs this season, and I love that this team is in full force to prove the doubters wrong and show that they are capable of amazing things. 

Team Teal will look to extend their hot streak when they travel to Boston to face the Bruins in their next game on Sunday. Puck drop is at 10 am PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App, Bay Area News Group