Sharks’ Struggles Continue Against Hurricanes, Fall in Overtime

For whatever reason, the San Jose Sharks just cannot beat the Carolina Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

For whatever reason, the San Jose Sharks just cannot beat the Carolina Hurricanes.

It happened again on Tuesday night at SAP Center, as the Sharks fell 3-2 to the Hurricanes in overtime on a Jay Harrison goal. Carolina snapped its five-game losing streak and extended its win-streak to four in a row over the Sharks, sweeping the season series.

The Sharks did not seem crisp on the ice tonight (16 giveaways), and the way the Hurricanes scored their goals showed it. The Canes jumped out in front in the first period when Jason Demers turned the wrong way and allowed Jiri Tlusty to break in alone and score on goaltender Alex Stalock. The Sharks responded with two goals in the first, but they both came on fortuitous errors by Hurricanes’ goalie Anton Khudobin. At 13:05 of the first, Khudobin gave up a huge rebound on a Tyler Kennedy shot from the wing, and Martin Havlat jumped all over the rebound, putting it in the net. Six minutes later, after a giveaway by Khudobin behind the net, Raffi Torres set up Brent Burns beautifully, and Burns drilled it to snap out of his funk.

But that would be it for the scoring for the Sharks. Elias Lindholm tied the game in the second period for the Canes, sneaking down the middle and putting home a one-timer. The Sharks certainly had their opportunities to take the lead in the third, outshooting Carolina 16-7, but could not solve the Hurricanes’ backup goaltender.

So, in overtime, it was another defensive breakdown that cost the Sharks the game. Everyone on the Sharks collapsed to one side of the ice, allowing Harrison, a defenseman, to sneak in and tap the puck into a wide open net.

I would say that the Sharks should have won against an inferior opponent, but given the bleak history, there is definitely something about Carolina that the Sharks cannot figure out.

Tale of the Tape

Sharks:

• Shots on goal: 37
• Power play: 0-for-1
• Hits: 23
• Giveaways: 16
• Takeaways: 6
• Faceoffs won: 30

Hurricanes:

• Shots on goal: 35
• Power play: 0-for-2
• Hits: 27
• Giveaways: 5
• Takeaways: 5
• Faceoffs won: 42

Good to Know

What’s on Tap

The Sharks will welcome in Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on Thursday night.