Category: San Jose Sharks

Sabres skate past Sharks 4-2; San Jose drops four of last five games

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Buffalo Sabres teammates gather after defeating the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Feb 18, 2023 (@BuffaloSabres photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The San Jose Sharks returned home to face the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at the Shark Tank. The Sharks were hoping to snap a two-game losing streak. That was not in the cards as the Sabres skated to a 4-2 win over the Sharks.

The Sharks lost a close game to the first-place Las Vegas Golden Knights in Sin City Thursday night. The Sharks were hoping to right the ship against Buffalo based on their strong effort, even though they came up short, 

In fifth place in the Atlantic Division, the Sabers needed a win as they are fighting to make it into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Buffalo got a much-needed win when they beat the hapless Anaheim Ducks 7-3 Wednesday night in Anaheim.

The Sabres started the scoring early in the first period. Dylan Cozen notched his 20th goal of the year as he put the puck past Sharks’ goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. The time of the goal was at 3:01. The Sharks responded with their first goal with 16:49 played. Evgeny Svechnikov put the puck past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for his sixth of the year. Assist went to Jacob MacDonald and Steve Lorentz. The first period ended tied 1-1.

The Sabres grabbed a 2-1 lead when Owen Power lit the lamp with 6:26 played/ Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner assisted on the play. The Sharks tied the game when Alexander Barbanov was in the right place at the right time. One of the Sharks’ players shot past the net and hit the boards, the puck rebounded right to Barbanov’s stick, Luukkonen was out of position, and Barbanov had an easy goal.

It was number 11 for Barbanov. Logan Couture and Erik Karlsson assisted. For Karlsson, it was his 56th assist of the season. The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the second period.

The Sharks, who are not going to the playoffs for the second year in a row, wanted to upset Buffalo’s apple cart Saturday night. The Sabres needed the win to stay close to a possible playoff spot. The last 20 minutes would determine the winner.

The teams battled it out on both ends of the ice. Buffalo, as they had done in the first and second periods, scored the first goal of the third period. The goal was scored by the Sharks’ killer, Jeff Skinner. Skinner notched his 21st of the year. It was Skinner’s seventh goal in his last seven games against the Sharks.

The Sharks need to come back from a one-goal deficit for the third time in the game. They tried, but they couldn’t get the puck into the net. They pulled their goalie and put pressure on the Sabres. However, Alex Tuch found himself alone in the Sharks’ zone and put the puck into an empty net to ice the win for Buffalo 4-2.

Game Notes: With the loss, the Sharks are now 17-29-11 for the year. They are in seventh place in the Pacific Division with 45 points. The Sharks are 5-14-7 at home. They have 25 games left on the schedule. Buffalo won the season series 2-0. Buffalo is now 28-22-4 good for 60 points.

The Sharks play the third-place Seattle Kraken at the Shark Tank Monday afternoon. The game will start at 1:00 pm. 

Sharks Fold Late in Sin City, Slip to Vegas 2-1

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San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) attempts to skate around Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

Thursday night’s 2-1 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena could be representative of the San Jose Sharks season as a whole. Get severly outshot but still hold the lead for a time; check. Punch up against a superior class team for a majority of the game; check.

The Sharks lead into the third period but give up the advantage late; check. The only thing missing for San Jose (17-28-11) was an Erik Karlsson point or two (or three or four as this season has gone).

Alexander Barabanov scored his tenth goal of the year and Kaapo Kähkönen played brilliantly once again, making 36 saves on 38 shots but a Vegas (33-18-4) goal tied the game early in the third period and finished off the Sharks on a William Carrier goal with 18 seconds left in regulation to pick up their fourth consecutive win.

The Sharks were outshot 38-26, thanks largely to seven Golden Knights power plays, but killed off all the opportunities and survived a 14-4 first period shot differential to lead the Pacific Division leaders after 40 minutes.

The game-winner came on an offensive faceoff win for the Golden Knights and was a result of Matt Benning and Nick Bonino both getting tied up with Nicolas Roy in the slot.

Two defenders on one man allowed Carrier to sneak into the far post unmarked. Chandler Stephenson was able to make the connection and Carrier was able to hammer home the tap-in for his 15th of the year. Bonino drew an abuse of officials misconduct for arguing Roy’s entanglement.

Vegas tied the game on another Sharks miscue after Tomas Hertl wiped out in the offensive zone, with Jack Eichel spring Paul Cotter on a two-on-one. He elected to shoot rather than pass through Karlsson, beating Kähkönen from the face-off dot 6:22 into the third. Cotter has goals in three-straight.

Barabanov stayed hot for the Sharks, picking up his eight point in six games when he scores on the rebound with 2:56 left in the second period. His tenth goal of the year came off a Marc-Edouard Vlasic shot, with Logan Couture picking up the secondary assist. Kähkönen has allowed just eight goals over his last four starts.

The Sharks return home Saturday night to face the Buffalo Sabres. It kicks off a seven-game homestand filled with teams struggling to make the playoffs or fully entrenched in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, a welcome sight after the grueling road trip of late January and early February.

Penguins’ top line sparks 3-1 victory over Sharks

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The score says it all as the Pittsburgh Penguins get a two goal win over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center led by the Penguins Sid Crosby (87) who got two assists on Tue Feb 14, 2024 (@penguins photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Pittsburgh scored once in each period Tuesday to methodically defeat San Jose 3-1 at SAP Center.

Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith stopped 38 of 39 San Jose shots. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s top line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Rickard Rakell each collected three points. Crosby assisted on each goal, giving him 41 helpers on the season.

Guerntzel had two of the Penguins’ goals, including an empty-nette, while Rakell had the other Pittsburgh tally.

Timo Meier, who is rumored to be on the trading block as the trade deadline is approaching, scored his 31st goal in the third period. Aaron Dell was credited with 24 saves in his third start of the season without a win.

All-Star Erik Karlsson and Alexander Barabanov each saw their four-game point streaks come to an end.

The Penguins used an early goal by Rakell, his 19th of the season, to get a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Crosby found Guentzel with a no-look backhand pass from behind the net, Guentzel had a wide-open net to shoot at for his 22nd goal of the season,

Meier scored on a rink-long rush, beating DeSmith in the five-hole at 4:03 of the third period.

San Jose’s Logan Couture played in his 900th NHL game.

The Sharks visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Charanbir Mahal: Oilers, Pens, and Sens in hot pursuit of Karlsson; Sharks host Penguins tonight

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) reacts after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at the Capital Center in Washington DC on Sun Feb 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Charanbir:

#1 Lastest rumors are that the Edmonton Oilers, the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Ottawa Senators are in pursuit of San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson. We’ll start with the Ottawa Senators (25-24-3) what are the chances that Karlsson could wind up with his old team again?

#2 In 54 games so far this season Karlsson has 18 which leads all other NHL defencemen with 55 assists for 73 points. Sources say that the Edmonton Oilers (33-19-1) who are third in the NHL Western Conference could use a little help from someone like Karlsson how hot and heavy do you see those discussion with the Oilers.

#3 The Sharks are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-17-9) tonight here at SAP Center in San Jose. The Penguins hold eighth place in the Eastern Conference and would be a force with the addition of someone like Karlsson. How do you see Karlsson complimenting players like Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

#4 If and when the Sharks part with Karlsson the Sharks who have struggled for most parts of this season still have NHL teams pursuing Timo Meier and Logan Couture but Tomas Hertl is off the table.

#5 Charanbir, Sharks and Penguins dueling it out here at SAP Center tonight. The Sharks have won only four of their last ten games and the Penguins have won five of their last ten games. The Sharks have won two of their last three games. Who do you like in this one tonight?

Charanbir Mahal is on air talent for INDTVUSA and does the Sharks podcasts during San Jose home games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Beat Capitals 4-1, Kähkönen leaves game with injury

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The San Jose Sharks picked up a three goal win against the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Center in Washington DC on Sun Feb 12, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks (17-26-11) wrapped up their eight game road trip with a 4-1 win against the Washington Capitals (28-21-6), finishing the grueling trek that began January 21st in Columbus a respectable 3-3-2. There were plenty of positives like Erik Karlsson’s three-point effort, Tomas Hertl’s first goal since January 11th and Kaapo Kähkönen’s third strong showing. Kähkönen also was involved in the negative of the day, exiting the game with an injury after 37 minutes. Aaron Dell made the final eight saves in relief with James Reimer out with an illness.

Kähkönen exited the game on Washington’s scoring play. Evgeny Kuznetsov was able to drive the net and slide the puck past Kähkönen on the far post, making the score 2-1 Sharks at the time with 3:04 left in the second period.

The Sharks Evgeny, Svechnikov, opened the scoring 2:54 into the game. He beat Ryan Lindgren after entering the Caps zone on the left wing and beat the netminder glove side. Karlsson had the secondary assist while Jonah Gadjovich picked up his fourth helper.

Alexander Barabanov scored on the power play 9:04 into the second on a rebound in the slot. Hertl had the initial shot and Karlsson assisted as well, his 55th of the year.

After Kuznetsov’s goal, Karlsson added breathing room at the 12:55 mark, taking a facroff win along the boards and firing a snifter for his 18th of the year. Hertl added the empty netter, and first in 11 games.

The Sharks return home for a Valentine’s Day date with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then they hit the road, though they won’t log as many miles this time. It’s a trip to Sin City for a bout with Pacific Division rival Vegas before returning home Saturday night against Buffalo.

Reinhart, Staal Score Two to lead Cats Past Sharks 4-1

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There were plenty of Florida Panthers group hugs especially down the stretch when the Panthers scored two short handed goals against the San Jose Sharks in final seconds of the third period at Fla Live Arena in Sunrise on Thu Feb 9, 2023 (@FlaPanthers photo)

by Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks saw Sam Reinhart and Eric Staal (two empty-netters) score two goals each to fall to the Florida Panthers 4-1 Thursday night in Florida. Alexander Barabanov scored his eighth goal of the year and Erik Karlsson picked up his astonishing 53rd assist.

The defenseman now has 70 points in just 53 games with an assist-per-game pace for San Jose (16-26-11). For Florida (26-22-6), Sergei Bobrovsky won his 350th game, making 33 saves on 34 Sharks shots.

Sharks coach David Quinn rode the hot hand, giving goalie Kaapo Kähkönen the net after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday. He made 38 saves on 40 shots faced, rewarding his coach’s confidence.

With James Reimer’s name floated by the media as a potential trade target, Kähkönen could be in line to get the bulk of starts. Another possible trade chip Timo Meier was on the ice for all four Cats goals.

Barabanov scored on the rebound to open the game at the 5:09 mark. Erik Karlsson kept a clearing attempt in the offensive zone, walked the blue line and ripped a shot on Bobrovsky that landed on Barabanov’s stick for the second chance that he buried.

The 1-0 lead would hold until the 4:30 mark of the second period then Sam Reinhart took over. Reinhart carried the puck into the offensive zone and ripped a shot under Kähkönen’s glove for his 18th of the year.

Reinhart’s second of the period and game came with 41 seconds left in the period. Eetu Luostarinen took a shoot on net while falling that Reinhart redirected past Kähkönen for a 2-1 lead.

Luostarinen also assisted on Eric Staal’s first empty net goal with 1:39 left in regulation. Staal would add a second 35 seconds later for the 4-1 scoreline. The Panthers win came with Alexander Barkov out with an injury.

The Sharks play one last road game before returning home, going 2-3-2 so far on the trip. They face the Capitals in D.C. Sunday. They’ll only be home for a brief stop against the Penguins on Valentine’s Day before a roadie to Vegas Thursday.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Tarasenko dealt to Rangers from Blues; Sabers sign Cozens to $49.7 M seven year deal; plus more news

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 Former St. Louis Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko (91) handles the puck during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 27, 2022, in St. Louis. The New York Rangers have acquired Tarasenko and depth defenseman Niko Mikkola from the Blues in a deal made Thu Feb 9, 2023 (AP News File)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Vladimir Tarasenko was dealt the New York Rangers from the St Louis Blues today was this a requested trade or something that was worked out between the Blues and Rangers.

#2 The Buffalo Sabers signed center Dylan Cozens to a seven year $49.7 contract extension on Tuesday averaging about $7.4 million a year. Cozens has 17 goals and 43 points in 49 games for this season.

#3 The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the 2023-24 All Star game for the first time since 2012. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement before last Saturday’s All Star game in Sunrise Florida which was hosted by the Florida Panthers.

#4 The Arizona Coyotes are asking for big money for defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun would be a great acquisition for any team whose skills range from special teams to offense. Chychrun would provide the defense a team is looking for protecting the goaltender as well as the ability to grab the puck and force it back up ice.

#5 NHL teams are inquiring about the Sharks Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier. Labanc has ten goals, 15 assists and 25 points and Meier has 30 goals, 21 assists and 51 points. What’s the possibility of seeing Labanc and Meier traded soon.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Stun Lightning, Surge to 4-3 Comeback OT Win

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The San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier (28) and defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrate after a goal at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Tue Feb 7, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks opened the unofficial second half of the season with a bang, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night. Timo Meier scored a pair of goals and had an assist, Erik Karlsson had a goal and two assists and Kaapo Kähkönen made 34 saves to pick up the road win.

Brayden Point scored a pair and Ross Colton also lit the lamp but the Lightning (32-16-2) saw their home wine streak end at 12 games. San Jose (16-25-11) was outshot 37-22 but walked away with the two points.

Now that Bo Horvat has found a new home on Long Island, Meier has become the center piece for teams looking to add at the trade deadline. Despite a 10 million dollar qualifying offer expected for next year, the Swiss forward showed why he’ll cost suitors a hefty bounty. One of the premier power forwards in the league, both his goals came about five ten feet out from Brian Elliott in the Tampa net.

The game-winner, 2:19 into overtime, came after Meier drove the net and was able to sneak behind two Lightning defenders. He took the feed from Erik Karlsson, no stranger to trade chatter himself, to bury his 30th of the year.

Jonah Gadjovich deflected the tying goal 3:08 into the third, his third of the year, but before that Meier’s talents were on display for the Sharks second goal of the night. Meier, skating on the power play where his nose for the net and propensity to rip his sharp wristers, did just that with 3:37 left in the second buried.

While the penalty kill collapsed to Elliott’s right, Meier skated to the crease on the off-wing. He took the Alexander Barabanov pass off what looked like a set faceoff play and buried it for his first of the night.

The aforementioned Karlsson negated an early Colton goal to tie the game 6:28 into the first, his 17th goal of the year. Karlsson wired a shot through traffic that found its way on net as so many of his shots have this year, beating Elliott.

Brayden Point took over the first period though scoring goals 9:21 into the frame and 16:44 into the first period. The second came on the power play, normally a strength for the Bolts but against the Sharks they went just one for six and went five power plays without a shot on goal.

The Sharks continue their split eight game road trip, facing the Florida Panthers in Sunrise on Thursday. They’re now riding a two-game win streak after beating the Penguins in the last game before the break. They’ll face the Capitals in DC Sunday before finally heading home.

Couture’s 5 Points Boost Sharks to 6-4 Win Over Pens

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The San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) puts the puck in the net on Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith (1) at PPG Paints Arena on Sat Jan 28, 2024 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks snapped a four game losing streak, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-4 Saturday night from PNC Arena. Logan Couture had five points, including two goals and Alex Barabanov and Erik Karlsson had multipoint nights. Evgeni Malkin scored twice for the Pens and Sidney Crosby scored as well.

Malkin scored with 9:54 left in regulation to tie the game, but Couture scored with 4:25 left to play for the lead. He also scored an empty netter for his career high 5th point and 19th goal of the year.

Michael Eyssimont scored 1:25 into the game, but Malkin and Crosby scored power play goals for a 2-1 lead. Erik Karlsson scored his 16th of the year to tie the game 2-2 with seven seconds left in the opening frame.

Noah Gregor lit the lamp 4:54 into the second period for a 3-2 lead, Ryan Poehling responded with a short-handed strike with 5:06 left in the period. Alexander Barabanov handed the Sharks the brief lead, scoring his seventh of the year with 2:53 left in the second.

Kaapo Kähkönen made 37 saves for the Sharks in net for the win while Casey Desmith made 26 in defeat.

The Sharks get a brief rest but hit the road again on the other side of the break. They’ll face Tampa Bay, Florida and Washington to kick off the second half.

Sharks Stunned By Late Canes Rally, Lose 5-4 OT Decision

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San Jose Sharks Nick Bonino (13) brings up the ice shavings in front of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Annri Raanta (32) at PNC Arena in Raleigh NC on Fri Jan 27, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

In a season where the San Jose Sharks have found creative and painful ways to lose games Friday night proved to be a season-low. The Sharks had a 4-2 lead after scoring an empty net goal with 1:52 left in regulation, but surrendered two goals to the Carolina Hurricanes in the waning moments of regulation before Martin Necas netted the overtime winner 5-4.

Michael Eyssimont had a three-point night in the loss, Mario Ferraro had a goal and an assist and Nick Bonino and Oskar Lindblom lit the lamp in defeat. James Reimer made 31 saves for the Sharks (14-25-11), but Necas and Sebastian Aho scored a pair each and Calvin De Haan pitched in with a goal for the host Hurricanes (31-9-8).

The third period proved wild Friday night, as both teams were tied 1-1 entering the frame thanks to a goal by Lindblom and De Haan’s response both occurring in the final five minutes of the first period. Aho gave the Hurricanes the lead 17 seconds into the final frame with a power play goal.

Eyssimont picked off a Aho dump in, feeding Nick Bonino on a drive towards the Canes net for a breakway. Bonino beat Antti Raanta for his ninth goal of the season to tie the game at the 6:50 mark.

Eyssimont’s strong game continued after Nico Sturm kept a Mario Ferraro pass from jumping out of the offensive zone. He passed the puck to Eyssimont on the wall and drove the net, creating a screen for Eyssimont’s shot to sneak through to give San Jose a 3-2 lead with 8:45 left in regulation.

Ferraro picked up the empty netter at the 18:08 mark, but Sebastian Aho was able to slip behind the Sharks defense and take a pass from Teuvo Teravainen that Aho was able to easily shoot past Reimer just 15 seconds later to make it 4-3.

Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour pulled the goalie yet again, and this time it paid off after Aho’s near goalline fling on net rebounded in the slot to Necas with 12 seconds left. Necas was able to slide the rebound home for his 20th goal of the year and force overtime.

Necas played the hero in overtime after the Canes found themselves on a 3-on-1 breakaway after Eyssimont’s attempt to break up the rush failed. Andrei Svechnikov went down the left side and hit the cross-crease pass to Necas who buried the one-timer 55 seconds into the extra frame.

The Sharks have now lost four consecutive games, all on the road and have lost the last two in overtime. They won’t have long to scratch their heads over the loss as they head north to face the Pittsburgh Penguins at PNC Arena Saturday night. After that, they head to All-Star break before continuing the tough roadie with games against the Lightning, Panthers and Capitals before returning home to face the Penguins again on Valentine’s Day.