San Jose Sharks Pull Out Late Win Over Colorado Behind Brent Burns

The San Jose Sharks entered today’s contest after losing late to the Dallas Stars yesterday. After such a heartbreaker, the Sharks were hoping that their game against the Colorado Avalanche would end differently.

This time, San Jose was able to make the late plays necessary to win as Brent Burns scored with just 1:39 remaining to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead, and Joe Pavelski would score the eventual game-winner into the empty net as the Sharks would leave Colorado with a 4-3 victory. This was a solid win to get the Sharks out of their losing mindset and will prepare them for their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

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I drive this point home in every post I write but while Burns’ is an amazing offensive defenseman, he would be nothing if he wasn’t paired with Prime Minister Paul Martin (alright you got me, I just wanted an excuse to make this joke). Martin is the stabilizing force the defense was missing last year.

The Sharks found themselves down early once again as Jarome Iginla scored a power play goal more than five minutes into the game to give Colorado a 1-0 lead. However, San Jose answered right back behind another great offseason acquisition in Joel Ward. Ward deposited his own rebound to even things up about one minute later.

I hope Randy Hahn and Jamie Baker are happy with themselves. The announcers have no one to blame but themselves for the Avalanche’s second goal. Saying “this is the first time the Sharks have worked with a lead on this road trip” what did they expect to happen? Of course Francois Beauchemin scored his first goal of the season right after that was said.

Maybe I’ll give them a break since tonight’s game was entertaining in bursts. Both team’s second goals were scored on the same power play as Beauchemin’s tally was preceded by a bomb by Burns which was the first shorthanded goal of his career. Followed up by the three-goal burst near the end, this game wasn’t hard to watch.

Speaking of that finish, there were a couple of things to look for. First, the challenge made by Patrick Roy on Burn’s goal highlighted a trend throughout the NHL. Coaches are starting to use the coaches challenge as an extended timeout to give their players an extra rest. This is a smart tactic as towards the end of the game, there wouldn’t be another opportunity to use a timeout anyways.

Next: Sharks Fall To Antti Niemi And The Dallas Stars

In the end lets celebrate the Sharks have a winning record again. We can only hope they can continue this momentum against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.