The Sharks performed fairly well and remained in this contest for the most part, but three straight third-period goals from a red-hot Bruins team propelled Boston to a 6-4 victory.
Early in the first period, the Bruins scored first via Casey Mittelstadt, while the Sharks responded a few minutes later on a power play goal by Michael Misa for his second of the season, assisted by Adam Gaudette and Tyler Toffoli. Towards the midway point of the second period, the Bruins went ahead on a goal by Marat Khusnutdinov. Later in the middle frame, the Sharks evened the contest at two on a shorthanded breakaway goal by Kiefer Sherwood for his second of the season. Also late in the second period, Mark Kastelic charged Michael Kesselring face-first into the boards, and Kesselring went after and fought Kastelic as a result. Both Kesselring and Kastelic were assessed fighting majors and minor penalties for roughing and boarding respectively, with play remaining five-on-five.
Onto the third period, where the second fight of the game occurred early on between Zack Ostapchuk and Tanner Jeannot. Also early in the third period, the Sharks grabbed their first lead of the night on their second power play goal of the game, this time from Dmitry Orlov for his second goal of the season, assisted by Ivar Stenberg and Mason Marchment. A bit later in the third, the Bruins took over and scored three consecutive goals via David Pastrnak, James Hagens, and Fraser Minten to gain their biggest lead of the night. The Sharks found themselves back in this contest 27 seconds later, as Will Smith scored his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Jacob Trouba and Macklin Celebrini, to get the Sharks within a goal once more. Lastly, with 30 seconds remaining in regulation, an empty-net goal from Will Borgen finished this one off for the Bruins.
Alex Nedeljkovic is back in the crease for the Sharks tonight in Boston, recording 29 saves on 34 shots against. In addition, Igor Chernyshov flew back to San Jose ahead of the rest of the Sharks for further evaluation regarding his injury from Thursday's win in Ottawa and is considered week-to-week. Adam Gaudette made his season debut for Team Teal as a result.
This was certainly going to be a tough matchup for the Sharks in Boston tonight, but they played better than what the scorecard indicates. In all, the Sharks had a solid six-game road trip, completing it with seven out of a possible 12 points and finding themselves in the thick of the Pacific Division and Western Conference playoff race. Team Teal returns home next week for its next four games, starting on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres at 7:30 pm PT.
Sources: NBC Sports California, NHL App, Curtis Pashelka via X
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