Mar 7, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing Brandon McMillan (21) and San Jose Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon (4) fight during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks appeared to have rediscovered their game, but they reverted to old habits that have absolutely killed them this season. Tonight was another example as the Vancouver Canucks delivered a dagger to San Jose’s playoff hopes in defeating the Sharks 3-2 at SAP Center.
San Jose wasted a golden opportunity to pull within two points of the Canucks, and are now four points out of a playoff spot with only 16 games remaining.
It appeared that San Jose would continue right where they left off from Tuesday night when they dominated Vancouver. The Sharks jumped out to an early two-goal lead with goals from Melker Karlsson and Joe Thornton, both on rebound opportunities.
However, the Canucks responded with a late goal by Radim Vrbata with under a minute remaining to cut the Sharks’ lead to 2-1 at the end of the first period.
It was a rough game for Brent Burns who allowed Bo Horvat to tie the game in the second period when he couldn’t keep the puck in at the blue line. Burns would also take a high-sticking penalty in the third that would give the Canucks a four-on-three power play. Vrbata wasted little time in depositing the game-winning goal and ensuring that the road team would win each game in the season series. Burns would wind up a minus-two on the night.
This was one of the most frustrating games from a Sharks perspective. They outshot the Canucks 40-34 and had numerous scoring chances that they couldn’t convert on. The most glorious scoring chance fell to Patrick Marleau who couldn’t convert into a wide open net which would have given the Sharks a 3-1 lead at the time.
Tomas Hertl would hit the post early in the third and San Jose also had a goal disallowed by an early whistle. It felt like no matter what the Sharks did that third goal would not go into the back of the net.
Now, San Jose is sent back to the drawing board knowing they let one slip away. Again, stupid turnovers are killing the Sharks and this game was no different.
At this point in the season, San Jose can’t be giving away two points, especially to a division rival on home ice. This will be a tough pill to swallow since the Sharks did many things right and looked like a team that had turned the corner.
Instead, it was another gut-wrenching loss in a season full of them for the Sharks, and there isn’t much time left for San Jose to turn things around. Brace yourselves Sharks fans, playoff hockey might not be making an appearance in the Bay Area this spring.
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