The Sharks finally earn their first win of the season in their 12th game of the 2023-24 campaign, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1.
After starting the season with 11 straight losses and GM Mike Grier having a direct lecture with the team yesterday on how they’ve been playing, this Sharks team has never wanted a win more badly than this one. Team Teal set the tone early in this one on a quick goal by Anthony Duclair to make it 1-0 only 1:43 into the game. Kevin Labanc and Mikael Granlund picked up the assists on this opening goal. Soon after, Givani Smith and Nicolas Deslauriers dropped the gloves and fought, displaying a different and better kind of energy from the Sharks than they have all season long up until this point.
Late in the middle frame, William Eklund scored on a 4-on-3 opportunity to give the Sharks their first two-goal lead all season, with Anthony Duclair picking up the assist on this second goal for his second point of the night. Soon after, Mackenzie Blackwood made an incredible save, only for it to get reviewed and overturned to become a good goal for the Flyers. Specifically, the officials and the situation room in Toronto determined that the puck completely crossed the goal line while Blackwood was making the unreal save, with this goal being credited to Joel Farabee. No goals were scored in the third period, but towards the final buzzer, frustrations began to mount for the Flyers, creating huge scrums in front of the Sharks' net with seconds remaining and after the game ended. The biggest penalties handed out during those scrums were game misconducts to Duclair, Scott Laughton, and Nikita Okhotiuk.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 38 saves in his first win with the Sharks. He was simply outstanding in net against the Flyers and finally got the support from his offense that he needed badly all along.
The Sharks finally got the monkeys off their backs, and this first win for them is such a huge joy and relief. It's also great seeing William Eklund further develop into a star at the NHL level and Anthony Duclair find his groove with the Sharks. Now let's plan the parade!
Hopefully the Sharks can carry this momentum and string together at least a few more wins. They host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in their next game on Thursday at 7:30 pm PT to close out their current homestand.
Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App
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