Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Ana Kieu

The San Jose Sharks began a two-game series against the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center on Monday night. The Sharks desperately tried to avoid a two-game losing streak, but ultimately fell short to the Blues, 5-4.

The Sharks took an early lead in the first period. Kevin Labanc drew first blood with a goal at the 11:38 mark, giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead. The goal was Labanc’s first of the season, snapping a two-game scoreless drought. Logan Couture scored a power-play goal at the 14:18 mark, giving the Sharks a 2-0 lead. The Sharks held firm with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

The second period featured a lot of back-and-forth action between the two teams. Justin Faulk beat Sharks goaltender Devan Dubnyk glove side, cutting the lead in half, 2-1, just 2:36 into the second. Mike Hoffman redirected a pass, tying the game 2-2 at the 4:09 mark. The Sharks weren’t ready to give up, but the Blues had other plans. Brent Burns scored a power-play goal, putting the Sharks up 3-2 at the 12:06 mark. The Blues tied the game once again, 3-3, at the 14:17 mark, as Jaden Schwartz found the loose puck after Dubnyk made the initial save. The Blues took a 4-3 lead with Faulk’s second goal of the game at the 19-minute mark. The Sharks trailed 4-3 after 40 minutes of play.

Things got interesting in the third period as defense was optional and physicality skyrocketed. Logan Couture scored his second goal of the game, tying the game, 4-4, just 4:17 into the third. Jordan Kyrou scored a between-the-legs goal that gave the Blues a 5-3 lead at the 10:28 mark. The Sharks pulled the goaltender for an extra attacker late in the third, but were unable to score the equalizer and force overtime, as Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped the shots thrown his way. The Sharks lost 5-4 at the end of regulation.

The Sharks fell to 1-2-0, while the Blues improved to 2-1-0.

The two teams face each other off again on Wednesday, January 20 at 6 pm PT.