A Better Performance Isn’t Enough as the San Jose Sharks Lose at Home to Avalanche
Try as the San Jose Sharks might; they just cannot get their first win of the season. Falling to the Colorado Avalanche at home, the team in teal dropped to 0-4-2 on the season after another loss. The team was much better tonight, but it wasn't enough to get the first two points of the season. Still, being winless isn't a good sign, as the Sharks are one of two teams left without a W this year.
It started when Colorado broke the ice to start scoring. On the powerplay, Colorado worked the puck into the middle of the ice via Nathan MacKinnon's dancing stick. It rolled off his stick straight onto the blade of Ross Colton in the slot. He's got way too much time and beats Vitek "Vanacek," who was playing tonight with his name spelled incorrectly on his jersey, but it was 1-0 Colorado early.
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Colorado would make it worse before it got better. Cale Makar hit the post in the first, but Colorado would score on a rush. Samuel Girard found a pass to an Avalanche forward. It eventually got through to Colton again, who was left all alone with Vanecek, and the netminder could not do anything. Colton tallies his second of the first period, and it's 2-0 Colorado. It looks like the sluggish start for the Sharks will continue.
San Jose cut the lead in half before the end of the first through. San Jose's powerplay worked the puck to Mikael Granlund in the left circle. Granlund finds a lane down to William Eklund on the goal line. Eklund has the presence of mind to drive to the net, getting attacked by Cale Makar and Devon Toews for his troubles, but gets the puck past the Avs netminder to get the home team on the board.
Colorado would extend their lead in the third period. Ivan Ivan wins the puck over to Josh Manson at the point, and the former Ducks defenseman finds a passing lane to Joel Kiviranta in front. The former Dallas Star moves on Vanecek and roofs the puck on the backhand. Another poor defensive lapse from this young team sinks them into a position they'd just never recover from.
Makar would hit the empty net, and the game ended 4-1 Colorado. Justus Annunen was the story of this game because, on another night, the Sharks could score four or five. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's a great reason to be optimistic about this roster after their awful start in the standings. The next game is against Anaheim on Tuesday as the Sharks get another attempt at securing their first win of the season.