The Sharks kept the Edmonton Oilers in check for most of this game, but the Oilers stormed back in the third period to tie the game and win it in overtime 2-1.
This is now the Sharks’ fourth-consecutive loss, and although it seemed as if San Jose might win this one only needing one goal, the ending of this one was disheartening.
Let’s first focus on the positive aspects of this game. Tomas Hertl scored the only goal of the first two periods on the power play late in the first period. Brent Burns is on a five-game point streak with the primary assist, while Timo Meier grabbed the secondary assist. Despite the loss, James Reimer was solid in net with 22 saves.
On the other hand, the Sharks had a few Grade-A chances to score two goals but couldn’t get anything else past Mike Smith. They allowed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to tie the game late in the third to force OT and Connor McDavid to score the game-winner in OT on an odd-man rush opportunity from a cross-ice pass from goalie Mike Smith. Team Teal couldn’t keep up with the speed and skill of McDavid at that moment. In addition, John Leonard, Jonah Gadjovich, and Jaycob Megna had to exit the game in regulation after blocking Edmonton shots.
The Sharks could’ve held on and won this game easily, but they let their own struggles and Edmonton’s star power get the best of them. I had sensed this collapse from a mile away, and I’m not shocked by the end result. The Oilers were the more desperate team who has been playing better than the Sharks as of late, and they continue to find ways to win.
San Jose plays host to the other team from Alberta, the Calgary Flames, in their next game on Thursday at 7:30 pm PT.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, Sharks Audio Network, NHL App
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