|
Sharks erase three-goal deficit against Utah, earn first win of season |
|
|
|
|
|
The San Jose Sharks earned their first win of the season last night, rallying back from a three-goal deficit late in the third period, before eventually defeating Utah 5-4 in overtime.
William Eklund was back up on the top line with Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli, while Danil Gushchin played with Alexander Wennberg and Fabian Zetterlund. Neither of Will Smith or Ty Dellandrea dressed, so Luke Kunin and Carl Grundstrom both shifted up to the third line alongside Barclay Goodrow, while Givani Smith and Klim Kostin joined Nico Sturm on the fourth line.
Matt Benning also re-entered the lineup in place of Jack Thompson, paired with Henry Thrun, while Mackenzie Blackwood got the start.
First Period
The Sharks looked good early, and did have a power play opportunity where Luke Kunin had a chance from point-blank range, but was stopped by Connor Ingram. But about 11 minutes into the period, just after Utah hit a post on a deflection, Clayton Keller found Dylan Guenther, who beat Mackenzie Blackwood with a good shot to open the scoring.
Then with a little under four minutes to go in the frame, Blackwood let out a big rebound off a point shot, and Matias Maccelli went to the net to tap it in, leaving the Sharks in a two-goal hole through 20 minutes.
Second Period
The Sharks came out stronger in the second period, and had another power play chance early that they couldn't convert on. But midway through the frame, Fabian Zetterlund drove to the net to tuck the puck past Ingram, putting San Jose on the board.
However, less than two minutes later, Ian Cole threw a puck on net and Blackwood once again couldnāt handle it, with Maccelli scoring yet another rebound goal in front to reinstate Utahās two-goal lead.
Despite San Jose having some good chances from there (including a 2-on-1 chance for Tyler Toffoli), and outshooting Utah 17-8 in the period, Utah struck once again with only 30 seconds to go in the frame, with Mikhail Sergachevās shot finding a way in through traffic. So despite a pretty strong frame from the Sharks overall, they found themselves in a huge 4-1 hole heading into the second intermission.
Third Period
Despite the deficit, San Jose kept pressing in the third period, and never took their foot off the gas. The Sharks had all kinds of pressure, outshooting Utah by a massive 17-3 in the period. But when the Sharks couldnāt capitalize on a late power play, it looked like any chances of a comeback had probably faded.
However, with only about 4:30 to go, Zetterlund scored his second goal of the game, tipping in a point shot to cut the lead to 4-2.
Then only 25 seconds later, Mikael Granlund put a shot through traffic as San Jose pressed with the net empty, beating Ingram to cut the lead to one, and pull the Sharks back into the game with a little over four minutes remaining.
Only about a minute after that, the Sharks won a faceoff in Utahās end and an initial shot bounced right to Tyler Toffoli, who beat Ingram before he could get over, tying the game for the Sharks.
So with three late goals in under two minutes, San Jose sent the game to overtime.
Overtime
In the extra frame, William Eklund ended up drawing a penalty, putting the Sharks on a 4-on-3 power play with an excellent opportunity. Then on the ensuing man advantage, Alexander Wennberg was able to get to a puck that bounced back off the end boards to beat Ingram, giving the Sharksā their first win of the season, off a miraculous comeback.
Takeaways
Not only did the Sharks get their first win, but they put together their best game of the season. They were dominant in the back 40 minutes of regulation, outshooting Utah by a 34-11 margin in that stretch, and even when it looked as though their attempts were going to fall short, they continued to press. Itās a well-deserved victory, to prevent their season-opening winless streak from reaching double digits.
Most importantly, the team got goals (even if most of them all came within the same two-minute stretch). While the top line combined for six points on the night (with Mikael Granlund leading all forwards with a goal and two assists), we also saw other players step up.
The second line was not only able to generate chances (outshooting their opponents 6-1 at 5-on-5, according to NaturalStatTrick.com), but Fabian Zetterlund managed to chip in with two goals, while Alexander Wennberg had the game winner. Itās a big step, with the Sharks getting three of their five goals from members of the second line.
The Sharks really, really used their top forwards yesterday though, in way thatās probably unsustainable from game-to-game. William Eklund and Mikael Granlund played roughly 23 minutes each ā contrast that to the fourth line, where Klim Kostin played less than six minutes, and Givani Smith got just 3:42 in ice time (but registering a fight in that time). But with more production down the lineup, the hope would be that some of the pressure can be taken off the top forwards.
Jake Walman also contributed from the back end, picking up three assists, while managing a plus-two rating across 24 minutes. He was the only defenseman to end the game with a plus-rating.
Mario Ferraro had noted the team was going to get their first win in Utah, and not only did they do it, itās also the kind of game that can hopefully build some momentum for the team. They outplayed Utah for most of the game, and climbed back from a late deficit to win in dramatic fashion.
The Sharks are right back in action tonight, as they complete their back-to-back set against the Los Angeles Kings.
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
Ā»