The Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi (top) celebrates with left wing Alex Iafallo (9) and center Mark Scheifele (55) who scored against the San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) in the third period at SAP Center in SanJose (AP News photo)

Thursday, January 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets for another regular season, following a 5-3 to Detroit here in the SAP Center on Tuesday. Alexander Barabanov recorded his 100th career goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop a third period rally from the Red Wings.

Earlier today, San Jose’s Tomas Hertl was named an NHL All Star to represent the Sharks and as for the Jets, Winnipeg remained undefeated to start 2024 and San Jose seems like a likely place to keep that fire burning as the Jets edged the Sharks at SAP Center 2-1.

It was a quiet first period for both teams, with the highlight being Mackenzie Blackwood who got 11 saves and held his composure when the heat came. Winnipeg and San Jose went hit for hit with an evenly physical period, but it was a clean period with no penalties. 0-0 at the first intermission and energy high throughtout the SAP Center. 

The silence was broken in the second period and it came seconds after the Jets killed a hooking penalty. Barabanov scored off a wrist shot, assisted by William Eklund and Ty Emberson and the Sharks were up 1-0 and Barabanov recorded his 100th goal with the Sharks, a game after he scored his 100th career goal.

A minute later the Jets answered back. Neal Pionk shot the puck towards a screened Blackwood and the puck was deflected by Morgan Barron in the net, 1-1. As the period ended, the score was tied and momentum could sway either way. 

The third period was a battle, but this battle had an early game changing moment. San Jose’s Filip Zadina got a hooking penalty and that penalty broke the tie for Winnipeg. Gabriel Vilardi tipped in a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers past Blackwood and two minutes into the final period, the Jets were up 2-1. The Sharks gained some opportunities along the way, but to no success as the Jets skated off the ice with a 2-1 victory. 

The Sharks now start off 2024 0-2 and now have fallen even further behind in the standings as this season progresses with another loss. Coach Quinn has a lot on his plate as the season now prepares for the trade deadline and the next game for the Sharks is Sat January 6th against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the SAP Center a 4:00pm PT face off.