Sharks 2023-24 Game 37 Recap: Avalanche 3, Sharks 1 (12/31/23)

 The Sharks close out the 2023 calendar year with a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, their eighth loss in a row. 

The Avalanche scored first in the opening period via Mikko Rantanen on the power play, while the Sharks evened it up at one via Tomas Hertl in his 700th NHL game from Mikael Granlund and Calen Addison. About midway through the first period Mario Ferraro was hit hard by Nathan MacKinnon and didn’t return to the game due to an upper-body injury. In unsurprising fashion, the Avalanche would score the next two goals in the third period via Val Nichushkin and Josh Manson to prevail 3-1. 

Kaapo Kahkonen had a decent performance in net, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win, recording 30 saves on 32 shots against. In addition, Ty Emberson was activated off of the IR and back in the lineup, taking the place of Kyle Burroughs, and Magnus Chrona was reassigned to the Barracuda. 

Overall, a better overall effort from this Sharks team in Denver than in their past several games, but still not enough scoring chances and not a winning style of hockey. Team Teal returns home for their next three games to start the 2024 calendar year, starting on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings at 7:30 pm PT. 

Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka and Corey Masisak via X 

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