Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Jerry Feitelberg

When it comes to making a good first impression, the San Jose Sharks’ newest acquisition gets passing marks. Evander Kane, acquired Monday at the trade deadline from the Buffalo Sabres for a pair of conditional draft picks, and Danny O’Regan, was front and center during the Sharks’ 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center on Tuesday night. The forward, playing on the wing on San Jose’s top line, picked up two assists while proving instrumental in the top line’s success, flanking Joe Pavelski along with Joonas Donskoi.

San Jose rode an explosive second period to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Joe Pavelski picked up a goal and three assists for a four-point night while Justin Braun, Chris Tierney, Timo Meier and Logan Couture all scored for San Jose. Eric Fehr, another trade acquisition making his home debut, notched his 100th career assist and Martin Jones stopped 22 of 24 Oilers’ shots. Connor McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi scored for Edmonton.

McDavid, reigning Hart Trophy winner as Most Valuable Player, opened the scoring 4:33 into the first period after displaying all the tools that make him a superstar. McDavid showed his trademark burst of speed to burn past Kevin Labanc then unleashed his all-world shot to beat Jones cleanly for his 28th goal of the year.

The Sharks would answer back in a big way in the second period though, and right in the middle of things was San Jose’s new top line. 1:20 into the middle stanza Joe Pavelski made the kind of play you’ve seen his teammates start many times. There was Pavelski in the goal crease, waiting for one of his trademark tips. This time though, it was Evander Kane initiating the play. Kane’s shot-pass went perfectly to Pavelski to tie the game, one of many dynamic moments for the newly established line.

The goal wasn’t without the kind of controversy that will follow a player as physical as Kane can be while toeing an edge between legal and illegal contact. Kane took out defenseman Matt Benning in the corner on a borderline hit, allowing for the breakout to be sprung. Kane, however, is not shy to drop the mitts as is evidenced by his extensive youtube highlights, giving the Sharks some much needed sandpaper.

Kane picked up his second assist as a Shark just over five minutes later after Justin Braun’s point shot deflected ever so much off an Oilers stick past goalie Cam Talbot. Pavelski picked up an assist on the goal for his second point of the night.

Timo Meier picked up his 16th goal of the year after an impressive display of his power forward prowess. Meier drove from the corner to the front of the net, flipping a backhander that found its way through a leaky Talbot for a 3-0 lead. Pavelski picked up his second assist on the goal with 3:45 left in the second.

Logan Couture stuck with a chance curling off the boards a little over a minute later. Couture was trying to feed a cross-crease pass to Tomas Hertl at the far post, but Adam Larsson was able to block off the pass. The puck bounced off Larsson’s skate and Couture worked to the loose puck, flipping it over Talbot for a 4-1 lead with 2:22 left in the middle frame.

Puljujarvi found some chemistry with the Oilers deadline acquisition Pontus Aberg early in the third period. Aberg fed Puljujarvi for his 10th goal of the season 6:06 into the final period. The Oilers would remain silent over the remainder of the contest and Chris Tierney would pot an empty-netter with 55 seconds left for his 16th goal of the season to cap the 5-2 win in Kane’s debut.

The Sharks continue the homestand with contests against the Blackhawks Thursday and Columbus Sunday. They continue to hold on to the second spot in the Pacific Division after leaders Vegas fell to the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Los Angeles is just two points behind San Jose for second with 75 points with fourth place Anaheim three back at 74.