Washington Capitals right wing TJ Oshie (77) tries to skate around San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) in the first period at the Capital Center in Washington on Sun Oct 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost their final game of this road trip, falling 3-1 to the Washington Capitals. Dylan Strome, Tom Wilson and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored for the Capitals. Darcy Kuemper made 30 saves for the win. Luke Kunin scored for the Sharks, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 39 saves on 41 shots in the loss. This leaves the Sharks still winless after nine games this season.

The Sharks held a 1-0 lead until the third period, and had their second-highest shot count of the season. Still, they lost and were badly out-shot by the Capitals. “Yeah, listen, we’re really snake-bitten. Tonight we actually had chances,” Sharks Head Coach David Quinn said after the game. “Right now we have such a thin margin for error. You know, usually if you only give up two goals, you like your chances.”

Luke Kunin scored that one goal for the Sharks at 11:40 of the first period. He gathered up the puck as it bounced off the back boards and tucked it between the goalie’s skate and the post. Ty Emberson and Mario Ferraro got the assists. The point was Emberson’s first in the NHL.

Dylan Strome tied the game 2:18 into the third period. His shot went through a line of skaters and under Blackwood. Nick Jensen and Hardy Haman Aktell got the assists.

Tom Wilson gave the Capitals the lead at 15:15 of the third. His centering shot bounced off of San Jose’s Kyle Burroughs and into the net. Alexander Ovechkin and John Carlson got the assists.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored into the empty net to make it 3-1 at 19:02. Ovechkin and Carlson got the assists again.

The Sharks had no power plays but their penalty kill was perfect, killing all three of their penalties. In the face-off circle, the Sharks had their second-worst game of the season, winning just 47.5% of the draws. The shot count was nearly even until the third period, when the Capitals jumped ahead for a 31-42 final count.

The Sharks next play on Thursday in San Jose at 7:30 PM PT against the Vancouver Canucks.