SAN JOSE, CA – DECEMBER 20: San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames on December 20, 2016, at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
By Matthew T.F. Harrington
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks are still the last team looking for their first five-goal game of the season, but they now boast a four-goal period on the year. The Sharks (20-12-1) shelled the Calgary Flames 4-1 Tuesday night at the SAP Center for their eight win in 11 game after riding a four-goal second period. Joonas Donskoi scored a pair of goals to break a 23-game goal drought while Patrick Marleau scored his 490th career goal. Paul Martin also scored for the Sharks and Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, appearing in game number 1,400 for his career, each had a pair of assists.
“It was nice to be rewarded,” said Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer. “We’ve had a hard time scoring. It’s starting to come.”
After a lackluster first-period effort that saw the two teams combine for 17 shots, the Sharks opened the flood gates. San Jose peppered Calgary goaltender Chad Johnson, slipping four pucks past him on 13 shots.
“Scoring is about confidence,” said DeBoer. “You get one, they come in bunches. I think our entire game was turned around. We’ve been solid for a while offensively, we just haven’t been rewarded. Now we’re starting to get rewarded.”
Patrick Marleau opened the scoring by backhanding a rebound into an open net 5:35 into the period, his ninth goal of the season. With the goal, Marleau moved into 47th place all-time on the career goals list, lighting the lamp 490 times over his 19-year career.
Marleau’s goal was assisted by another Shark celebrating a milestone of longevity. Joe Thornton appear in his 1,400 NHL game Tuesday, picking up two assists in the process. He would also grab a helper on Paul Martin’s goal, a shot from the point that bounced around before beating Johnson for a 2-0 lead 9:18 into the period.
“We had a couple of guys in front,” said Martin. “I was just trying to get it here.”
The Sharks continued to roll, with the sure-fire Hall of Famers making way for the rookie phenom of 2015-16. Joonas Donskoi netted a pair of goals in a span of just under two minutes, his first goals since scoring in back-to-back games October 27th and 29th.
“I told him to shoot more,” said Martin. “He’s such a good player, it’s only a matter of time. He gets his opportunity and works hard. Sometimes you just have to put it on the net and good things happen.”
“That’s a common theme in our room,” said a chuckling DeBoer. “Not just Joonas.”
Since last lighting the lamp last, Donskoi fired 39 shots on goal. It took him a series of three to burst out of his slump. The winger worked his way into a breakaway, but found the Calgary defense collapsing around him in the slot. He took a shot wide of the cage that bounced out to the opposite post, allowing Tommy Wingels to pick up the puck and feed Donskoi for the tap-in goal with 5:37 left in the period. Wingels and Joe Pavelski picked up the assists, with Pavelski joining Thornton with two-assist performances.
“It felt great,” said Donskoi. “It’s been a long time since I scored. I didn’t even remember how good it feels.”
Donskoi was the recipient of a turnover by Mikael Backlund right in the slot, intercepting the clearing pass five feet in front of Johnson 1:56 after his first goal. Donskoi rifled his second goal of the game in make it 4-0 and give the Finnish winger his fourth goal of the season. Backlund originally stopped Chris Tierney’s pass attempt from behind the net.
Calgary would break up Martin Jones’ shutout bid 16 shots into the game with Sam Bennett beating the netminder 1:19 into the period for his eight goal of the year. It’d be the only offense the Flames (17-16-2) would muster for the night.
San Jose faces another Western Canadian foe when the visiting Edmonton Oilers head to town Friday night. They are led by sophomore sensation Connor McDavid, the league leader in points (40) and assists (28) while they continue to surprise. The Oilers sit just two points behind Division-leading San Jose.
Sports Radio Service 