Sharks 2023-24 Game 49 Recap: Sabres 5, Sharks 2 (1/27/24)

 The Sharks’ three-game win streak has snapped, as they fall 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres this afternoon. 

The Sharks got off to a great start in the opening period, scoring the first two goals from Marc-Eduoard Vlasic and Jan Rutta. William Eklund registered assists on both Sharks goals in the first period, while Ty Emberson recorded the other assist on the first goal by Vlasic after he was activated off of the IR prior to this game. This was Vlasic’s third goal of the season, while Rutta is on a career-long four-game point streak  (2 goals, 3 assists). However, the Sabres stormed back late in the first period on goals from J.J. Peterka and Jordan Greenway to even it up at two. 

Buffalo claimed its first lead of the day early in the second period after Alex Tuch scored to make it 3-2. The Sabres were in complete control from there, scoring the next and last two goals via J.J. Peterka’s second goal of the game and a Dylan Cozens empty-netter. In addition, a big scrum ensued in the third period, initiated when Kyle Okposo ran over Nikita Okhotiuk and Kyle Burroughs went after Okposo. This scuffle resulted in Okposo getting four minutes for interference and roughing, Burroughs, Luke Kunin, and Jeff Skinner each getting two minutes for roughing, and a Sharks power play. 

Kaapo Kahkonen recorded a total of 31 saves on 35 shots against in the loss to the Sabres. In addition, Henry Thrun was placed on the IR and won’t be available until after the All-Star break, while Shakir Mukhamadullin was recently called up from the Barracuda and made his NHL debut today against the Sabres. 

The Sharks were rolling to begin this game, but lost their momentum and fell back to earth for the remainder of this contest. Unfortunate, but not shocking either, considering how this season has gone for Team Teal so far. Next up, the Sharks host the Seattle Kraken in their next-to-last game before the NHL All-Star break on Tuesday at 7:30 pm PT. 

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

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