Sharks 2021-22 Game 64 Recap: Oilers 5, Sharks 2 (3/24/22)

 The Sharks fall to the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Kaapo Kahkonen’s first start as a Shark and their first game in Edmonton since before the pandemic. 

San Jose kept the Oilers in check in the first period and scored the first goal of the game via Erik Karlsson in the second period, with great passing from Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl. The Oilers tied it at one a few minutes later via Kailer Yamamoto on the power play, making it the fifth-straight game that the Sharks have given up at least one power play goal. It wasn't long before the Oilers took the lead on Leon Draisaitl's first goal of the game. However, Zach Kassian got away with a cross-check on Erik Karlsson right before Edmonton took the lead, and this goal wouldn't have occurred had the officials noticed or even cared to notice the cross-check on EK65. 

The Sharks have another concerning injury to deal with as Logan Couture had to exit the game after the second period due to an upper-body injury. The scoring picked back up in the third period, starting with Derrick Brassard extending the Oilers' lead to two, followed by Tomas Hertl scoring the Sharks' second goal of the game, with more great passing from Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson to set up that goal. Team Teal had a chance to complete their comeback for the second consecutive game, but it was all for not as Leon Draisaitl tallied his second goal of the game and the Oilers' second power play goal of the game, and Evander Kane pots one into the empty net with about three minutes remaining in regulation. 

Kaapo Kahkonen was solid in his first start with the Sharks, recording 36 saves and despite giving up four goals. Timo Meier took a high stick to the face in the third, but ultimately he would be okay. 

Often times with the Oilers, if their star players can get going, namely Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they pretty much can't be stopped. McDavid didn't score any goals in last night's game against the Sharks, but he had two assists on the night. I also find it difficult to root for the Oilers since they are Evander Kane's new team and Kane had left a bad taste in the Sharks' mouths with his ongoing off-ice drama in the past few years. 

The Sharks return home to the Tank for their next game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday at 7:30 pm PT before hitting the road for another brief road trip next week. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App