Sharks 2023-24 Game 46 Recap: Sharks 5, Ducks 3 (1/20/24)

 A multi-goal second period and the return of two key forwards helped fuel the Sharks to a 5-3 win at home over the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Sharks had the first goal of the game in the opening period for a bit via Filip Zadina, but it was challenged by the Ducks for offsides and overturned after Ryan Carpenter entered the zone before the puck did prior to Zadina scoring. 

Both teams got going late in the second period, starting with Marc-Eduoard Vlasic scoring his second goal of the season on a great feed from Logan Couture in his season debut. Mackenzie Blackwood also picked up an assist on the Vlasic goal. Moments later, Jackson LaCombe scored to even things up for the Ducks after his goal barely got past Mackenzie Blackwood right as he was scurrying back to the crease to attempt to make a save. The Sharks would go on to score the next two goals late in the middle frame via Kyle Burroughs from Tomas Hertl, which was Burroughs' first in teal, and Fabian Zetterlund from Ryan Carpenter. This Sharks two-goal lead would only last for 24 seconds, as Adam Henrique would score an ugly goal in a scenario where Blackwood and a few Sharks defenders were all in vulnerable positions to get the Ducks within one before the end of the period. 

The Sharks would continue to trade goals late in the final period, beginning with Jan Rutta scoring his first goal as a Shark to give the Sharks a 4-2 lead, with Fabian Zetterlund and Mike Hoffman recording the assists. This was followed up by a goal from Mason McTavish to put the Ducks back within one. The Sharks sealed the deal with seven seconds remaining on an empty-netter from Tomas Hertl for his team-leading 14th goal of the season, with the lone assist going to Nico Sturm in his long-awaited return from the injured reserve. 

Mackenzie Blackwood totaled 31 saves on 34 shots against in the win over the Ducks. In addition, Logan Couture revealed that from training camp until recently, he was dealing with Osteitis Pubis, a condition that causes "inflammation in the joint between your left and right pubic bones," along with "pain and swelling in your groin or lower abdomen" according to the Cleveland Clinic. He also stated that "Some days were terrible' and he "couldn't get out of bed" as a result of this condition. In place of Couture and Sturm, Mikael Granlund and Ty Emberson were transferred to the injured reserve. 

The return of Captain Clutch and Nico Sturm got at least some of the Sharks' mojo back. On top of that, the 49ers overcame the Packers in a close game in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, so these wins felt amazing. Next up, the Sharks travel down south to face their heated rivals in the LA Kings in their next game on Monday at 7:30 pm PT. 

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

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store