The Sharks played well against the Lightning in Tampa, but the game ended in frustrating fashion as the Sharks drop their last game before the all-star break 3-2 in overtime.
Before getting into why the finish of this game was so frustrating, let's begin discussing the earlier stages of this game, in which the Sharks performed fairly well. The first period was scoreless, but the real action began in the second frame. The first goal of the game came early in the middle frame via Anthony Cirelli of the Lightning. The Sharks tied it a few minutes later when Rudolfs Balcers redirected a shot by Marc-Eduoard Vlasic, with Logan Couture getting the secondary helper.
Here's where the controversy begins: Timo Meier took a double minor for goaltender interference and roughing late in the second, while Anthony Cirelli only took two minutes for roughing during the same incident. This gave the Bolts a power play and allowed Alex Killorn to score and retake the lead for the Lightning.
In the beginning of the third period, the Sharks evened the score again, this time by Logan Couture redirecting a Brent Burns shot from the point on the power play. Alexander Barabanov grabbed the other assist on the Sharks' second goal of the game. This ultimately forced overtime, where more controversy ensued and things got frustrating. The Sharks had a Grade-A opportunity to put this one away on a 2-on-1 rush when Ondrej Palat crashed into the goalpost, dislodging the net and causing the refs to blow the play dead. At around the two-minute mark of OT, Ryan McDonagh tripped Timo Meier in the Lightning end of the ice, but Timo Meier was also called on the same play for embellishment. However, I don't know what the zebras were seeing there because there was clearly no embellishment on Timo's behalf. The Sharks should've gone on the power play at that point, but instead the penalties even out. This play also set up Victor Hedman to score the game-winning goal for Tampa. The refs rigged the ending of this game in favor of the Bolts, and although the Lightning are my second favorite team, the way this game ended was absolutely ridiculous.
Back to more positive aspects, James Reimer was once again outstanding in net, making 29 saves, some of which were highlight reel-worthy. Mario Ferraro and Jake Middleton drew back into the lineup Tuesday night against the Bolts. Ferraro had a complete face shield on after losing three teeth blocking a shot in Saturday's game against the Panthers and missing the Sharks' previous game in Raleigh against the Hurricanes. Middleton is back after recovering from an injury sustained early last month against the Red Wings.
In all, this was better than the first time the Sharks and Lightning faced each other this season at SAP Center a few weeks ago, but it could've been a lot worse. The Sharks wrap up their current road trip with four out of a possible eight points, which isn't bad considering each of their opponents on this slate of road games. They now head into the all-star break with a 22-20-4 record and 48 points, sitting two points out of a playoff spot.
Friday is when the all-star festivities begin, starting with the skills competition followed by the all-star game on Saturday, both of which are taking place in Vegas this year. Timo Meier is the Sharks' lone representative in the all-star game and skills competition.
Including the all-star break, the Sharks have the next 12 days off before hosting the Edmonton Oilers at the Tank in their next game on Valentine's Day at 7:30 pm PT. This will also mark Evander Kane's return to San Jose after joining the Oilers last week following Team Teal's termination of his contract.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App
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