Sharks 2021-22 Game 65 Recap: Sharks 4, Ducks 1 (3/26/22)

 A Timo Meier hat trick, the magic of James Reimer, and the Sharks’ bottom-line forwards stepping up led the Sharks to a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, handing the Ducks their ninth-straight loss. 

San Jose took advantage of a struggling Ducks team and pretty much dominated this game. The only other Shark to score in this game was Marc-Eduoard Vlasic, who scored the first goal of the game late in the first period. Pickles has improved his production as of late and now has three goals on the season. The second period was when Timo Meier scored his first goal of the game, which was followed by another fight taking place between these two clubs later in the period, this time between Jonah Gadjovich and Sam Carrick. The main motive for this fight was to stick up for teammates after Gadjovich laid a clean hit on Cam Fowler, in which Fowler fell awkwardly near the boards and was slow to get up.

Early in the third period, Gerry Mayhew scored to put the Ducks on the board and avoid Anaheim from getting shut out. Timo Meier scored his second goal of the game a few minutes later on the power play and completed the hat trick later in the third, totaling 30 goals on the season. The third goal of this one was Timo's best one, putting it between his legs and going to the backhand for an absolute beauty. This becomes Timo Meier's third career hat trick, and Timo is now the sixth player in Sharks' history with multiple 30-goal seasons. Tomas Hertl and Alexander Barabanov each recorded two assists, while Ryan Merkley, Scott Reedy, and Brent Burns each recorded an assist. In addition, Ryan Merkley had made some incredible dangles on a shot attempt in the third period that was saved by Lukas Dostal. 

James Reimer was outstanding once again, making 27 saves, some of which were unbelievable stops throughout this game. 

In other news, Logan Couture is currently considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and I'm glad the rest of the Sharks stepped up in his absence last night. 

This was an overall impressive effort by Team Teal, with plenty of Timo Time included. As a result, the Sharks leapfrogged the Ducks in the Pacific Division and Western Conference standings, which is always great to see. The Sharks have a few days off before their next game in Arizona against the Coyotes on Wednesday at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App