Sharks 2024-25 Game 40 Recap: Flyers 4, Sharks 0 (12/31/24)

 The Sharks close out the 2024 calendar year by getting shut out 4-0 by the Philadelphia Flyers, their eighth consecutive defeat. 

The Flyers struck first early in the opening period via Nick Seeler. Later in the period, Morgan Frost extended the Flyers’ lead to two, but it was challenged by the Sharks for offsides and was successfully overturned. Philadelphia picked up where it left off later in the second period with two goals from Ryan Poehling and Travis Konecny in a span of 90 seconds, followed up by one more early in the third period via Egor Zamula to cap off a completely one-sided affair. 

Alexandar Georgiev registered 30 saves on 34 shots on the wrong end of a shutout. Although the rest of the Sharks offense disappeared, Macklin Celebrini was still efficient in the faceoff circle and generated roughly six or seven solid scoring chances. As for the Flyers, this was a combined shutout by Samuel Ersson and Alexei Kolosov, with Ersson playing the first two periods, getting injured, and Kolosov taking over and finishing the job in the third period. Earlier today, the Sharks placed William Eklund on IR with an upper-body injury and recalled Collin Graf from the Barracuda. 

Overall, out of all losses in the Sharks’ current eight-game skid, this shutout defeat to the Flyers was certainly the most disheartening, especially since this group of Sharks players had no energy and nothing to show for tonight. In addition, this Sharks team clearly misses both William Eklund and Jake Walman, both of whom remain out of the lineup due to injury, and Barclay Goodrow and Luke Kunin shouldn’t be playing as many first-line minutes as they have been recently. On top of that, the Sharks concluded the month of December with an 0-6-0 record at home, marking the third time in franchise history that the Sharks were held winless at home in a calendar month. Something needs to change for this Sharks team in order for them to not only get back in the win column, but regain their confidence as well. Team Teal kicks off the 2025 calendar year by hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at 7:30 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 39 Recap: Flames 3, Sharks 1 (12/28/24)

 Macklin Celebrini further displays his brilliance, but the Sharks’ losing skid has reached seven as they drop the second of back-to-back home games to the Calgary Flames 3-1. 

The Flames get on the board first in the opening period via Jonathan Huberdeau. Also in the first period, Carl Grundstrom was taken out of this game early after he was hit hard by Brayden Pachal and his helmet went flying onto the ice. 

Onto the second period, and Macklin Celebrini tees one up for his 12th goal of the season to tie the game at one and now lead all NHL rookies in goals. Assists on the equalizer went to Alex Wennberg and Tyler Toffoli. However, the Flames would regain their lead a few minutes later on a power play goal from Mikael Backlund. Calgary wasn’t done yet, as they added one more goal in the final second of regulation for extra insurance on an empty-netter from Jonathan Huberdeau for his second of the game. 

Yaroslav Askarov was the starting goalie for Team Teal in the second of back-to-back home games and was a big factor keeping the Sharks in this contest, stopping 30 of 32 shots he faced. 

It’s great to see Macklin Celebrini take over the NHL rookie lead in goals and Yaroslav Askarov have another quality start in net. Besides that, the Sharks still being without their top defenseman this season in Jake Walman and their top scoring winger in William Eklund certainly isn’t helping their offense. Next up, the Sharks host the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game of the 2024 calendar year on New Year’s Eve at 5 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 38 Recap: Golden Knights 6, Sharks 3 (12/27/24)

 A third-period lead by the Sharks has been blown once more, as the Vegas Golden Knights rally for four unanswered goals in the final frame to win 6-3 in Tomas Hertl’s return to SAP Center as a Golden Knight. 

The Golden Knights struck first in the opening period via Noah Hanifin to get this one going, while the Sharks responded about eight minutes later on Shakir Mukhamadullin’s first NHL goal, assisted by Fabian Zetterlund and Will Smith, to even the game at one. Early in the second period, Mark Stone scored to briefly put Knights ahead. A few minutes later, a great effort by Macklin Celebrini set up Will Smith to score his sixth goal of the season to tie it at two, with Fabian Zetterlund also registering his second assist of the night. The Sharks added one more goal later in the second period via Tyler Toffoli’s 14th of the season, assisted by Mikael Granlund and Barclay Goodrow. 

It was all Vegas in the third period, as the Golden Knights scored four consecutive goals from Brayden McNabb, Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Brett Howden to run away with this contest. 

Alexandar Georgiev received the start in net for Team Teal in their first game back from the holiday break, recording 30 saves on 35 shots against. In addition, William Eklund did not play in this game and is currently day-to-day due to lingering aftereffects from Tyler Myers laying a big hit on him during the Sharks' previous game against the Canucks, while Jake Walman was out for a second consecutive game. On top of that, Vitek Vanecek was placed on IR, while Klim Kostin was activated from IR but didn't play in this game either. 

Overall, the Sharks had their bright moments in this game, such as Shakir Mukhamadullin’s first NHL goal and stellar performances from Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Tyler Toffoli to name a few, but they ultimately and unsurprisingly find a new way to lose. San Jose hosts the second of back-to-back home games tomorrow against the Calgary Flames at 7 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 37 Recap: Canucks 4, Sharks 3 (12/23/24)

 San Jose made it close at the end, but a one-sided second period in favor of the Canucks was the difference-maker, as the Sharks lose 4-3 to extend their skid to five games. 

The Sharks get on the board first in the opening frame on a beautiful slapshot by William Eklund for his seventh goal of the season, which occurred on a Sharks two-man advantage and was assisted by Mikael Granlund and Macklin Celebrini, the latter playing in his first game in his hometown of Vancouver. A few minutes later, the Canucks responded via Brock Boeser to even the game at one. Following that equalizer, Barclay Goodrow dropped the gloves with the much-taller Tyler Myers as a result of Myers’ hit on William Eklund prior to these goals. As for Eklund, he was supposedly shaken up enough after that hard hit that he exited the game after the first period and didn’t return the rest of the night. 

There was plenty of confrontations between the Sharks and Canucks in the second period, the most significant one being between Ty Dellandrea and Danton Heinen following Dellandrea’s big hit to Teddy Blueger. The resulting penalties were an interference minor and fighting major for Dellandrea and an instigating minor, fighting major, and game misconduct for Heinen. Things began to unravel from there, as Vancouver scored three goals via Kiefer Sherwood and two from Elias Pettersson to close out the second period with a 4-1 lead. Pettersson’s second goal of the game was challenged by the Sharks for goalie interference, and there was a solid case to be made on that play, but the NHL situation r allowed the goal to stand, putting the Sharks back on the penalty kill for delay of game. 

The Sharks climbed back in this game in the third period, starting at around the four-and-a-half-minute mark on Cody Cecil’s second goal of the season, which trickles into the net after Thatcher Demko made the initial save. Fabian Zetterlund recorded the lone assist on Cecil’s second goal of the year. Lastly, with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Luke Kunin scored his tenth goal of the season to get the Sharks within one, but the Sharks’ fate had already been determined well before that last goal was scored. Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli assisted on Kunin’s tenth goal of the year. 

Yaroslav Askarov made his second consecutive start in net for Team Teal, recording 20 saves on 24 shots against. In addition, Jake Walman was out and is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while Ty Dellandrea made his return to the Sharks lineup after missing the last three games. 

The second period implosion and inconsistent officiating made this game rather frustrating. With the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators each winning tonight, the Sharks find themselves in 31st place in the entire NHL heading into the Christmas break. Team Teal returns to action on Friday at 7:30 pm PT to host the Vegas Golden Knights to begin a six-game homestand. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 36 Recap: Oilers 3, Sharks 2 (OT) (12/21/24)

 The Sharks played well for most of regulation, but another blown third-period lead haunts them as they fall 3-2 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. 

The Sharks struck first early in the opening period on Luke Kunin’s ninth goal of the season, assisted by Alexander Wennberg and Timothy Liljegren. Soon after, the Oilers tied it up at one via Zach Hyman, followed by Jan Rutta’s first goal of the season to regain the lead for Team Teal. Jake Walman recorded the lone assist on the go-ahead goal by Rutta. 

With 17.3 seconds left in regulation, the Oilers tied the game at two via Mattias Ekholm to force OT. It took only 18 seconds into the bonus period for Leon Draisaitl to score the game-winning goal to get the job done for Edmonton. 

Yaroslav Askarov was back in net for Team Teal and had a solid performance against the Oilers, stopping 40 of 43 shots against. In addition, Klim Kostin didn’t play in this one, while Shakir Mukhamadullin was a late scratch, with Henry Thrun taking his place on the Sharks blue line in Edmonton. 

San Jose was in it and performed well until the very end, but due to the lack of a killer instinct and way they haven’t been able to hold leads in the third period lately, the end result of this contest doesn’t surprise me one bit. Next up, the Sharks travel to Vancouver to face the Canucks for their final game before the Christmas break on Monday at 6 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 35 Recap: Avalanche 4, Sharks 2 (12/19/24)

 The Sharks had a great second period but coughed up another third-period lead as they lose 4-2 to the Colorado Avalanche for their third consecutive defeat. 

The Avs get on the board early in the first period on a power play goal from Valeri Nichushkin. The Sharks responded in the second period, starting with Carl Grundstrom’s first goal of the year and in teal, with assists from Jan Rutta and Luke Kunin, followed by William Eklund’s sixth goal of the season, assisted by Cody Ceci and Luke Kunin, to take the lead 2-1. The go-ahead goal by Eklund was challenged by the Avalanche for a possible missed stoppage or high touch, but luckily there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn it, resulting in a Sharks power play for delay of game. 

It was all Avalanche in the third period, starting with a questionable holding call on Barclay Goodrow that put the Avs on a power play that set up Mikko Rantanen to score to tie the game at two. Later in the third period, Colorado finished this one off with two goals from Joel Kiviranta to win 4-2 in San Jose. 

Both starting goalies in this game faced their former teams tonight: Alexandar Georgiev for the Sharks against the Avalanche, and vice versa for Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood came out on top of this one, recording 32 saves on 34 shots in his return to San Jose as a member of the Avs. On the other hand, Alex Georgiev recorded 27 saves on 31 shots against in his first game against his former Avs as a member of the Sharks. On a side note, Vitek Vanecek is week-to-week with an upper-body injury after he was hit by a flying puck while sitting on the bench in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. As a result, Yaroslav Askarov was recalled from the Barracuda yesterday. 

Not only was this their third straight loss, the Sharks had coughed up a third-period lead in all three of their most recent losses, all of which were at home, becoming the first team in NHL history to accomplish this infamous feat. Besides that, this was a rather entertaining game between the Sharks and Avalanche. Hopefully the Sharks can find ways to hold leads in the third period better than they have been lately, since this is an essential component of winning games, and this issue plaguing the Sharks can be resolved sooner than later. Next up, the Sharks hit the road to Western Canada for their last two games before the Christmas break, starting in Edmonton against the Oilers on Saturday at 1 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 34 Recap: Jets 4, Sharks 3 (12/17/24)

 The Sharks had an all-around great competitive effort against a top-tier Winnipeg Jets team, but the Jets scored the last two goals of the game in the third period and take this one 4-3. 

The Jets struck first via Kyle Connor in the first period to get this one going. The Sharks tied things up early in the second period on Tyler Toffoli’s 13th goal of the season, with both Nikolai Kovalenko and Macklin Celebrini setting up Toffoli from behind the net. Soon after, Mark Scheifele scored a power play goal to regain the lead for Winnipeg, while later in the second period, Macklin Celebrini scored an effortless backhanded power play goal for his 11th goal of the season, with assists from Jake Walman and Tyler Toffoli. Early in the third period, the Sharks gained their first lead of the night on Fabian Zetterlund’s 11th goal of the season, with Jake Walman registering his second assist of the night on the go-ahead goal. The difference-maker came during the second half of the final frame, as the Jets finished this one on a 2-0 run with goals from Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry to win in San Jose. 

Alex Georgiev made his Sharks home debut against the Jets tonight, stopping 29 of 33 shots against. In other news, Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky was fined $25,000 by the NHL for inappropriate conduct in relation to criticizing the officials in Saturday’s loss to the Utah Hockey Club. 

Despite being on the wrong end of this contest, the Sharks performed better in this one than their previous game against Utah on Saturday. This latest chapter of hockey’s version of West Side Story was certainly an improvement over the first time these two teams met this season, a 8-3 Jets blowout victory in Winnipeg in October. Tyler Toffoli, Macklin Celebrini, and Jake Walman each recorded two points and were the Sharks’ best performers tonight. In addition, the Sharks outshot the Jets 35-33, and Nikolai Kovalenko has fit in well with the Sharks as a depth scorer since he was acquired as part of the trade that sent Mackenzie Blackwood to the Avalanche. Speaking of Blackwood and the Avalanche, Thursday will mark Mackenzie Blackwood’s return to SAP Center since he was traded to the Avalanche in the final game of the Sharks’ current three-game homestand at 7:30 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 33 Recap: Utah HC 4, Sharks 3 (12/14/24)

 Plenty of back-and-forth action between the Sharks and Utah in the Sharks’ first of a three-game homestand, but a last-minute go-ahead goal gave the Utah Hockey Club a 4-3 win. 

Utah got things going in the opening period via Dylan Guenther to put the Hockey Club on the board first, while the Sharks responded a bit later on Alex Wennberg’s eighth goal of the season, with assists from Barclay Goodrow and Cody Ceci. 

The second period featured Kevin Stenlund laying a dangerous hit on Macklin Celebrini, resulting in no penalty call. Luckily Celebrini was okay, but that could have been a complete disaster. Late in the third period, Mikael Granlund scored his 11th goal of the season to put the Sharks ahead 2-1, with assists from Fabian Zetterlund and William Eklund. Soon after, Utah responded on their power play via Nick Schmaltz to get the game tied once more. 

Early in the third period, on the Sharks man advantage, Fabian Zetterlund scored his tenth goal of the season to regain the lead for Team Teal. Nikolai Kovalenko and Macklin Celebrini each recorded assists on the Zetterlund power play goal, with the latter now at 20 points in his rookie campaign. Soon after, Utah has another response, with Michael Carcone scoring to tie it up at three. Lastly, with 43.8 seconds remaining in regulation, Clayton Keller scores a last-minute power play goal that would stand as the game-winner for the Utah Hockey Club. 

Vitek Vanecek was back in net for San Jose, registering 36 saves on 40 shots against. In addition, Will Smith is back in the Sharks lineup, while Klim Kostin is out due to injury. 

This was a feisty battle between these two teams, and the Sharks fought hard until the very end, but it was just a matter of tough luck that didn’t go their way. Team Teal’s current homestand continues on Tuesday, when they host the Winnipeg Jets at 7:30 pm PT. 

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

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 32 Recap: Sharks 4, Blues 3 (12/12/24)

 A three-point performance from Macklin Celebrini propelled the Sharks to a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues to close out their six-game road trip. 

Team Teal gets on the board within the first one and a half minutes of this one, as Tyler Toffoli scores his 12th goal of the season, with assists from Macklin Celebrini and Nikolai Kovalenko, the latter assist being his first point as a Shark. Later in the opening period, the Blues evened things up at one via Jake Neighbours. The first period also featured a solid fight between Ty Dellandrea and Nathan Walker. 

Early in the second period, the Sharks gained the lead after Macklin Celebrini put one in on his own rebound for his ninth goal of the season and second point of the night. Assists on the go-ahead goal went to Timothy Liljegren and Nikolai Kovalenko, the latter's second apple of the night. Right before the end of the second period, while on the power play, Macklin Celebrini scored his second goal of the game for his tenth of the season and third point of the night to give the Sharks a two-goal lead. Mikael Granlund and Jake Walman assisted on Celebrini's second goal of the game. This places Celebrini within one goal of the league lead among rookies, which is currently being held by the Flyers’ Matvei Michkov despite Celebrini playing fewer games than Michkov during their rookie campaigns so far. 

Early in the third period, Brayden Schenn scored to get the Blues within one, while the Sharks responded 27 seconds later on Jake Walman's fifth goal of the season. Nikolai Kovalenko collected his third assist of the game, while Nico Sturm was credited with the secondary assist on the Walman goal. Soon after, St. Louis got back within one via Jordan Kyrou. The Blues had their most productive period of the game during the final frame, but luckily the Sharks were able to hold on and stave off any comeback effort by St. Louis in this one. 

Alexandar Georgiev made his Sharks debut tonight in St. Louis and earned his first victory in teal, recording 17 saves on 20 shots against. Shakir Mukhamadullin made his season debut for the Sharks as well. Shots on goal were 31-20 in favor of San Jose. In other news, the Sharks released their holiday video for this year, which is a rap song titled "Holiday Inflatables." It was released ten years since their most popular holiday video to date known as "Holiday Sweater." This new song and video gave similar vibes to the one from ten years ago, featuring a broadcaster and some players. "Holiday Inflatables" also added a blast from the past in the form of a cameo from Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Both "Holiday Sweater" and "Holiday Inflatables" are fun, unserious, catchy, and clever jingles, and I highly recommend watching both videos, especially the latest one, if you have not done so already. 

Overall, this was a great effort by this Sharks team to earn a huge victory to close out their lengthy six-game road trip with a 3-3-0 record; pretty not bad. Team Teal returns home for their next three games, starting on Saturday hosting the Utah Hockey Club at 7 pm PT. 

Sources: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 31 Recap: Hurricanes 3, Sharks 2 (12/10/24)

 A close battle occurred between the Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, but the Canes took control late in the third period and held on to win 3-2. 

The Hurricanes struck first via Shayne Gostisbehere early in the opening period, while the Sharks evened things up at one with just over a minute remaining in the first period on Luke Kunin’s seventh goal of the season, with assists from Macklin Celebrini and Cody Ceci. During the second period, the Sharks took the lead after William Eklund set up Luke Kunin to score his second goal of the game and eighth of the season. 

Early in the third period, Brent Burns scores on a tic-tac-toe sequence against his former team to even things up at two, while with about two and a half minutes remaining in regulation, Jalen Chatfield scored to put the Canes ahead 3-2 in what would ultimately stand as the game-winner. 

Vitek Vanecek stepped up in the Sharks net after Mackenzie Blackwood was traded to the Avalanche yesterday, recording 25 saves on 28 shots against. In addition, earlier today, the Sharks activated Barclay Goodrow from the IR and placed Will Smith on the IR. On top of that, the Sharks recalled Shakir Mukhamadullin from the Barracuda and re-assigned Jack Thompson and Ethan Cardwell to the Barracuda. 

The Sharks had solid first and second periods, but the end result of this one for them was rather frustrating. They close out their current six-game road trip in St. Louis against the Blues on Thursday at 5 pm PT. 

Sources: FanDuel Sports Network South, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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Sharks Trade Mackenzie Blackwood + Givani Smith to Avalanche

 The Sharks made a massive trade on Monday, sending goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goalie Alexandar Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick. 

Mackenzie Blackwood has been the Sharks' best goalie this season, compiling a 6-9-3 record, 3.00 goals-against average, .911 save percentage, and one shutout in 17 starts and 19 games. In 12 of his 17 starts this season, Blackwood has allowed three or less goals while facing an average of 33 shots on goal per game. He is also a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. In total, Blackwood is 81-91-25 with a 3.07 GAA, .905 save percentage, and 11 shutouts in 201 starts in 215 NHL games. 

The other significant piece heading to Colorado is Givani Smith, who has no points in six games with the Sharks this season and last played on November 25. In addition, Givani Smith served as a healthy scratch in the Sharks' past six games. In total, Givani Smith has nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points and 260 penalty minutes in 161 NHL games with the Sharks, Florida Panthers, and Detroit Red Wings. 

As for Georgiev, he and the rest of the Avalanche goaltending have been struggling for much of this season, compiling an 8-7-0 record, 3.38 goals-against average, and .874 save percentage in 17 starts in 18 games. Like Blackwood, Alexandar Georgiev is a pending unrestricted free agent after this season. In total, Georgiev has a 144-89-22 record, 2.89 GAA, .907 save percentage, and 15 shutouts in 272 NHL regular-season games with the Avalanche and New York Rangers. Although he has been struggling and inconsistent this season, Georgiev is plenty capable of being a number one goalie when performing well and at his best. 

The other significant trade chip heading to the Sharks is Nikolai Kovalenko, who has four goals and four assists for eight points in 28 games this season. 

The 2025 fifth-rounder heading to the Sharks from the Avalanche could become the worse of Colorado's two fourth-round picks under two of these three conditions: if the Avs reach the Western Conference Final this season, Blackwood wins 25 games from now through the end of the regular season, and/or Blackwood starts 30 games from now through the end of the regular season. 

Overall, I don't like that Mackenzie Blackwood had to be the Sharks goaltender to get dealt this soon, especially for another goalie who has been struggling this season. However, that's the only aspect of this trade that I consider to be a downside. For all we know, a change of scenery could benefit Alexandar Georgiev, and he could turn things around in teal, which is what I hope happens. I was hoping Mackenzie Blackwood would stick around for future seasons since he has been performing well for the Sharks since he was acquired from the Devils for a sixth-round pick two offseasons ago, but he offered the most trade value of any of the Sharks' current netminders. In addition, this is a stepping stone for Yaroslav Askarov to eventually take over as the Sharks' number one goaltender as soon as next season or potentially right after the trade deadline. Although I hate to see Blackwood leave, and the Avalanche win this trade for this season due to completely revamping their goaltending, the Sharks will be fine going forward. 

Source: NHL App 

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Sharks 2024-35 Game 30 Recap: Panthers 3, Sharks 1 (12/7/24)

 The Sharks offense did not have much to show for in South Florida, as they fall 3-1 to the Florida Panthers. 

The Panthers struck first just 23 seconds in after Matthew Tkachuk batted one in for his ninth goal of the season. Florida then extended its lead to three in the second period on goals from Matthew Tkachuk (second of the game, tenth of the season) and Aleksander Barkov. However, with just under one-and-a-half minutes remaining in regulation, Tyler Toffoli scored his 11th goal of the season to prevent the Sharks from getting shut out, with assists from Mikael Granlund and Jake Walman. 

Mackenzie Blackwood singlehandedly kept the Sharks in this game against the Cats, recording 49 saves on 52 shots against. Blackwood's best save came in the second period, when he made a sprawling glove stop performing the splits to rob Aaron Ekblad of a goal. In addition, Will Smith is currently out of the Sharks lineup and day-to-day with an upper-body injury, with Ethan Cardwell taking his place for the time being. As for the blue line, Henry Thrun replaced Jack Thompson in today's game in South Florida. 

Another disappointing effort by the Sharks, but at least they kept things under control with solid goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood against the defending Stanley Cup Champs. Next up, the Sharks travel to Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday at 4 pm PT. 

Sources: Scripps Sports, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 29 Recap: Lightning 8, Sharks 1 (12/5/24)

 The Sharks’ three-game win streak has been snapped, as they get blown out and dominated by the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-1. 

The Lightning struck first early in the opening period, as Cam Atkinson deflected a shot from Connor Geekie to find the back of the net to get this one started. Tampa built off its good start later in the first period, scoring goals via Connor Geekie, two from Brandon Hagel, and Jake Guentzel to extend its lead to five. 

Mackenzie Blackwood replaced Vitek Vanecek to begin the second period, with Vanecek finishing his night with seven saves on 12 shots against. Blackwood then proceeded to give up two goals in the second period to Anthony Cirelli and Nick Perbix to make it 7-0 Bolts. The first of these two second-period goals by Cirelli was challenged by the Sharks for offsides, and it ultimately stood after a somewhat lengthy review by the officials. 

The Sharks finally got on the board to begin the third period, as Alex Wennberg scored his seventh goal of the season to help the Sharks avoid getting shut out, with assists from Fabian Zetterlund and Jan Rutta. The Lightning weren’t done yet, as Nick Paul scored one more to regain Tampa’s seven-goal lead. 

Mackenzie Blackwood registered 21 saves on 24 shots in the final two periods of this blowout loss. In other news, the Four Nations Faceoff rosters were announced yesterday, and Mikael Granlund was named to Team Finland, while William Eklund was a notable snub for Team Sweden. Great news for Granlund but stinks for Eklund, hopefully the latter can potentially crack the Sweden roster if one of its forwards gets injured between now and the tournament in February and is unable to play in the Four Nations Faceoff. 

Overall, this was definitely not the Sharks’ night tonight, as they couldn’t recover from the Lightning’s big five-goal first period. Team Teal will attempt to bounce back in their next game on Saturday in Sunrise against the Florida Panthers at 3 pm PT. 

Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area/California, NHL App 

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Sharks 2024-25 Game 28 Recap: Sharks 2, Capitals 1 (OT) (12/3/24)

 The Sharks head into Washington, DC and stun the Capitals in a low-scoring affair, winning 2-1 in overtime to extend their win streak to three. 

The Sharks get things going late in the first period via Tyler Toffoli scoring a pure goal-scorer’s goal for his tenth of the season. The Capitals responded in the second period via Nic Dowd to even the game at one. 

It’s worth noting that late in the third period, Macklin Celebrini was high-sticked in the nose by Tom Wilson, resulting in Celebrini leaking and needing to get patched up, putting the Sharks on a four-minute power play that carried over into the OT period. During overtime, Macklin Crlebrini and Mikael Granlund set up William Eklund to score a beautiful one-timer for his fifth goal of the season to secure the victory for San Jose. 

Mackenzie Blackwood made his second consecutive start in net for Team Teal and was excellent, recording 27 saves on 28 shots against. The most notable lineup change for the Sharks in DC against the Caps was Carl Grundstrom replacing Ethan Cardwell on the fourth line. In other news, Macklin Celebrini was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November and First Star of this past week, and earned every piece of those awards, leading all rookies in points (12) and goals (7). He is also the first Sharks player to earn this honor since Tomas Hertl in October 2013. 

Overall, this is a huge win for this Sharks team over one of the top offenses and teams in the Eastern Conference. They were able to generate plenty of scoring chances and find the back of the net a few times to pull off this spectacular win and get a bit of a streak going. Next up, the Sharks travel to Tampa to face the Lightning on Thursday at 4 pm PT. 

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

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