Sharks 2023-24 Game 38 Recap: Red Wings 5, Sharks 3 (1/2/24)

 This game was mostly neck-and-neck, but the Red Wings got revenge from the first time these two teams met this season, prevailing 5-3 and extending the Sharks’ losing skid to nine games. 

The Red Wings struck first in the opening period of this one on a goal from Daniel Sprong. Later in the opening period, the Sharks evened it up after Fabian Zetterlund poked it in past Alex Lyon for his eleventh goal of the season, with assists going to Mikael Granlund and Mike Hoffman. This goal was reviewed afterwards and ultimately stood. Speaking of Hoffman, he had a great breakaway scoring chance following the equalizer late in the first, but he was denied by the skate blade of Alex Lyon in impressive fashion. 

The Red Wings regained the lead in the second period via J.T. Compher, a goal which Kaapo Kahkonen got a piece of but wished he had back. Team Teal had another answer late in the second period, tying it up at two after Justin Bailey redirected a shot from Mario Ferraro for his second goal of the season. 

Near the midway point of the third period, Alexander Barabanov scored his second goal of the season to give the Sharks their first lead of the night, with assists from Calen Addison and Ty Emberson. This also snaps a ten-game goal drought and marks the 100th NHL point for Barabanov. However, the Sharks’ lead in this game would only last for 91 seconds, as Detroit would pot the next two goals via Dylan Larkin and an empty-netter from Michael Rasmussen to finish this one off for good. 

Kaapo Kahkonen recorded 26 saves on 30 shots against the Red Wings tonight, but his offense once again failed to step up and bail him out. 

At times throughout this game, it seemed like the Sharks had a chance to end their current lengthy losing streak, but their inability to play a full 60 minutes for much of this season remained prevalent tonight. Things going forward aren’t going to get any easier for this Sharks team, with their next game hosting the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday at 7:30 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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