The Sharks put up one of their best efforts in a game all season, but the Oilers had the last laugh as Edmonton would prevail 5-4 in overtime, handing the Sharks their seventh straight defeat.
The first period went better than expected. Tomas Hertl almost had his 20th goal of the season to start this game, but it was challenged by Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft and overturned after Alexander Barabanov went offside prior to the goal. The Sharks made up for it by scoring their official first goal of the game on Barabanov’s 15th goal of the year from Tomas Hertl and Marc-Eduoard Vlasic. The Oilers then evened things up via Nick Bjugstad. Edmonton almost went ahead late in the first via Zach Hyman, but this was challenged by Sharks coach David Quinn and overturned after Hyman’s right skate pushed James Reimer’s right skate before scoring, interfering with Reimer’s ability to make a save on the play. It remained tied at one through one period of play.
Right as the second period got underway, the Oilers officially went ahead on a goal by Kailer Yamamoto. The Sharks proceeded to even it up on Andreas Johnsson’s first goal as a Shark; however, this became the third goal in this game that was challenged and overturned, this time after Logan Couture stood in the crease and interfered with Jack Campbell’s ability to make a save on that play. Later on in the middle frame, Steven Lorentz tied it up at two after batting in his own rebound on the breakaway. Andrew Agozzino recorded his first point as a Shark and his first NHL point in almost two years with an assist on the Lorentz equalizer in his Sharks debut, while Matt Benning registered his 23rd assist of the season and 100th NHL point on this goal as well, setting a new career-high in points with 24. Soon after, the Sharks went ahead on Erik Karlsson's first goal of the game and 21st goal of the season, with assists from Fabian Zetterlund and Logan Couture. The Oilers answered back to even it up at three on Mattias Ekholm's first goal of the game, while Erik Karlsson scored his second goal of the game and 22nd goal of the year to go back on top 4-3 through two periods of play. Alexander Barabanov and Martin Kaut collected the helpers on the second goal of the night by EK65.
The third period was rather quiet in comparison to the eventful middle frame. Noah Gregor nearly gave the Sharks a two-goal lead, but this became the fourth disallowed goal in this game after the Sharks went offside while entering the offensive zone. I have never seen this many overturned goals in a game before tonight. Later in the third, Mattias Ekholm scored his second goal of the game to tie it at four and ultimately force bonus hockey. In addition, Andreas Johnsson got injured in the third period and didn't return.
The Sharks had as great of a chance as ever to get a huge win in Edmonton to start their current three-game Western Canadian road trip, but the Oilers ended things with 15 seconds remaining in OT via Darnell Nurse.
James Reimer recorded a total of 46 saves, with his biggest and best one of the night being with around 47 seconds remaining in regulation, diving and robbing Leon Draisaitl of a potential game-winner in regulation.
Regardless of the end result, the Sharks have a lot from this game to be proud of and build off of going forward. Team Teal will travel to Vancouver for their next game on Thursday against the Canucks at 7 pm PT.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App
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