San Jose Sharks Get Point But Losing Streak Continues In Edmonton
Better effort, same result for the San Jose Sharks as the frustration mounts and mounts for the boys in teal. San Jose battled back from two one-goal deficits to take a 3-2 lead, but they couldn’t hold as their former coach Todd McLellan and the Edmonton Oilers emerged with a 4-3 overtime victory on Wednesday night.
The Sharks were able to gain a point, but they’ve now dropped five consecutive games and six of their past seven to erase all the good they did on their perfect six-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Oilers have won four straight games to pull within three points of the Sharks within the muddied Pacific Division.
It was an emotionally charged contest as many expected with the Sharks facing their former bench boss, and the game didn’t disappoint. There were chances abound and multiple fights as both teams were hungry for the two points.
After a scoreless first period that saw quality chances on both sides, it was rookie Leon Draisaitl who broke the deadlock off a bad change by San Jose led to a three-on-two rush where Draisaitl fired one five-hole on goaltender Martin Jones. Draisaitl has been a revelation for the Oilers in the absence of Connor McDavid and he would feature in the deciding goal in this game as well.
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With the Sharks trailing in the third, they turned to an unlikely source as Justin Braun tied the game as his backhand from the slot found its way past Anders Nilsson for his first goal in 68 games.
Unfortunately, San Jose would find themselves behind again as Jordan Eberle would whip a perfect backhand past into the top corner after spinning off Paul Martin and leaving Jones with no chance between the pipes.
However, the Sharks responded again, perfectly executing their own three-on-two rush as Braun fed a trailing Tomas Hertl who found Patrick Marleau all alone in front for an easy tap-in for Marleau’s 11th goal of the season. This time, San Jose would finally take a lead during the month of December as the captain Joe Pavelski would knock a centering attempt from Joonas Donskoi out of mid-air into the net for his team-leading 13th goal of the year.
But the Oilers would tie the game late in the third following a collision between Pavelski and Brenden Dillon left Iiro Pakarinen all alone to take a shot that deflected off Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and past a screened Jones. In the overtime session, it was another miscue, this time by Joe Thornton, which allowed Drasaitl and Taylor Hall to come in on a two-on-one, and it was Hall who netted the game-winner after a nice setup from the youngster.
It was another tough night for the Sharks who would outshoot the Oilers 28-20 for the game, and they could be without the services of Logan Couture yet again. Couture, returning for his second game after his fractured fibula, left midway through the second period with a lower body injury. Another hit in a season full of injuries for this San Jose squad that now finds themselves in a real dog fight for positioning within the Pacific.
Next: Streaky Sharks Are At It Again
The Sharks now head home for a brief stop on Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild before heading out on a five-game road trip before the Christmas break. San Jose must figure out a way to turn things around; otherwise, it will be a sour holiday for all those involved with the Sharks.