The Sharks are taking on the Ducks for the 2nd time this week, it will be their 4th of 6 pre season games, before the season opener against Vegas on October 9th. I will cover the key moments period by period, as well as provide game analysis.
The Sharks have trimmed down their roster to 36 players, and are playing what could be a similar lineup to opening day tonight, minus a potential change here and there, namely the inclusion of Macklin Celebrini, who has yet to play in a pre-season game, but is skating full contact, since missing a few days with an undisclosed illness. The Ducks are also playing an NHL-caliber lineup, so it should be a good test for both clubs tonight.
The Sharks full lines can be seen here.
Period 1
Ryan Reeves takes a slapshot that creates multiple scoring chances, then lays out a duck in the corner. I never thought I'd see the day the Sharks are cheering for Reaves, but here we are.
Deshairnais springs Toffoli on a breakaway, Toffoli hits iron. Sharks with the edge in the first 5 minutes.
Sharks are going to the power play, as Eklund draws the holding call.
Orlov just misses the net with a point shot as penalty expires, Sharks are 0-1 on the power play.
Colin Graf gets a solid chance after a nice 1v1 move, looks faster then he did last season.
Orlov turns a pick over in the neutral zone, Askarov makes a nice play on the ensuing 2 on 0, first big save of the night.
Skinner takes a tripping penalty, Ducks going to the powerplay.
Askarov Denies Carlsson point blank, keeps the game tied. Sharks kill the penalty.
Toffoli denied shortside after a nice Eklund feed. The Eklund Misa Toffoli line has looked great today, Eklund and Misa in particular really play off each other well and have natural chemistry, could be a long-term pairing for the Sharks this season.
First period ends, Sharks looked like the better team this period, and we're pushing the pace of play. A good sign with both teams icing largely NHL-caliber rosters.
Period 2
Early in the 2nd, Beckett Sennecke beats Askarov off the draw, 1-0 Ducks. Let's see how the Sharks respond.
Wennberg is going to the box for slashing in the offensive zone. The Sharks have had a rough start this period.
Sharks have been good on the kill today, have been able to limit the Ducks scoring chances, and have been aggressive on both kills.
Sharks turn the puck over on a zone entry, springing a Ducks 2-1, where Colangalo puts the Ducks up 2 - 0.
Another bad turnover leads to another Ducks scoring chance, Gauthier puts it home on an almost identical play to Colangelo’s. 3-0 Ducks.
After a strong start, the Sharks have fallen back on old habits. Let's see if they can keep this from getting out of hand.
Sharks going to the powerplay, let's see if they can get some life late in the period.
Wennberg drives the net for a scoring chance before the powerplay expires, a missed opportunity for the Sharks.
Ducks send the puck over the glass, Sharks going back to power play with 1 minute left to go in the period.
They didn't score but the urgency and speed of the powerplay led to multiple high danger opportunities, having more sequences like this one on the powerplay will go a long way to winning more games. Overall rough period but at least they end on a high note, let's see what they can do in the 3rd.
Period 3
The strong power play carries into the 3rd, Smith with a shot pass to Toffoli fails to connect, but Eklund puts the loose puck in an open net to cut the lead to 2 early in the 3rd, 3-1 Ducks.
Ducks take another penalty, let's see if the Sharks can continue to shift the momentum.
Kurashev, puts one off the crossbar on a breakaway, horn goes off but called no goal, the refs blew the whistle when sharks were pushing to check if it was a goal, killing a good chance for the Sharks.
Kurashev finds Skinner for a one-timer, and Skinner fires it home! We have a 1-goal game. 3-2 Ducks still 15 minutes to go.
Askarov made a pair of really strong saves on Beckett Sennecke, to keep the game at 3-2.
Kurashev has been really impressive today, he has a really strong motor and is constantly around the puck.
Sharks have two golden opportunities. Misa finds Toffoli on a 2-on-1, who gets stoned. Eklund follows up on the rebound but is also denied.
Ducks take another penalty, big powerplay coming up for the Sharks.
Eklund finds Toffoli in front of the net but he hits the post, Eklund follows up by splitting the D on the rush but loses the puck.
It's a big year for Eklund and he is looking like the Sharks most dynamic player tonight with Celebrini out.
Graf just misses on a centering pass for a tap in. Sharks are pushing down by 1.
Eklund has another scoring chance with the net empty, but just can’t beat Clang. Ducks put it in the empty net twice to ice the game. 5-2 Ducks win.
Post Game
Even though the Sharks lost, this was a positive game for the Sharks. They outplayed the Ducks the majority of the game, and while unforced errors hurt them in the 2nd and ultimately cost them this game, they did not fold when they faced adversity, something that was a rarity in the last couple of seasons. They stuck with it, and with some better puck luck, they could have easily won this game tonight.
Eklund was a star for the Sharks tonight. Not only did he score a goal, but he also created numerous high-danger opportunities all night, and he looks to have found some chemistry with Toffoli and Misa. If there was any concern about Eklund’s offseason wrist surgery slowing his progression, this game should put those concerns to rest; he looked special out there tonight.
The Sharks will look to carry their effort tonight into their 5th pre-season game and 3rd against the Knights this upcoming Friday, on October 3rd.