Photo credit: @PR_NHL

By Pearl Allison Lo

The San Jose Sharks were clicking on all cylinders, but the slumping Colorado Avalanche (0-4-2 in last six) added bite to their game in a close match at the end at the Pepsi Center Wednesday.

The Sharks kept up their four goals apiece in their last four games and held Colorado to just one goal until 16:49 of the third. San Jose also scored twice on the power play and kept Colorado scoreless in three chances until 16:36 of the third.

However, in the morning, the Sharks announced that Radim Simek was diagnosed with a concussion following the hit he incurred Monday night. San Jose went down another defenseman in the first when Justin Braun fell and went to the lockers with what looked like a hurt right leg. There might be hope though, as Paul Gackle, @GackleReport on Twitter, tweeted: ‘…Braun walked out of #SJSharks room without help. Says he tweaked his right knee. Doesn’t think it’s serious, will get it looked at tomorrow.’  

The 2019 NHL All-Star Game participants were released before the game and the home team will be represented by Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski.

Getting back to Wednesday night’s game, San Jose spread out the scoring between five players. Pavelski and Burns each had one goal and two assists, giving them points in four straight games, Joonas Donskoi’s goal earned him a four-game points streak, Evander Kane a three-game and Lukas Radil scored his second goal in as many games. For the Avalanche, Tyson Jost had two goals.

Just over one minute into the game, the Sharks received a power play. Colorado blocked two shots before Pavelski went top left corner from the middle of the right circle to kick off the scoring.

After, the Avalanche outshot the Sharks 5-0 before racking up a goal themselves. Matt Calvert went top right corner from the inner left circle at 8:20.

It would be four goals later though, until Colorado scored again.

 With San Jose already on the power play again at 15:52 of the first, the advantage moved to 5-on-3 with 3:27 left when Pavelski drew a high stick. The Sharks eventually capitalized. After a pass from Karlsson on his right, Burns struck net to push San Jose ahead.

Carl Soderberg had a shorthanded breakaway chance with seconds left, but was denied.

In the second, Tyson Barrie was first to the puck but missed the touch. Kane retrieved the disk as he joined the party at 4:15.

Just over two minutes later, Donskoi made it 4-1 with a wraparound goal and also retired goalie Phillip Grubauer, bringing in a fresh opposing goalie in the form of Pavel Francouz. It was his second NHL game. His last time in net was December 22.

The Sharks got their biggest lead when Radil put in his second goal in as many games at 16:33, but Jost took it back just 16 seconds later.

The Avalanche’s momentum continued when Karlsson took a tripping call in less than 30 seconds, but San Jose was able to keep them at lengths. The tension did not end there though, as Barclay Goodrow also took a penalty when the horn blew, to give a boost starting out in the third frame.

A Joakim Ryan turnover led to Barrie’s goal at 12:12 of the third and Jost redirected a shot from the point on the power play at 16:36 to pull the game to within one. With the extra attacker from an empty net, Nathan MacKinnon made a last ditch effort right at the buzzer.   

Up Next: The Sharks fly back home for three contests, beginning with a later than normal start 8:00 pm game on Saturday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.