It was a disappointing night for the San Jose Sharks. A night that started so well ended in an overtime defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames. What makes this so much more painful than some of the other losses this season is that the Sharks had a multiple-goal lead in this one and were in complete control despite the known roster issues. They were winning this game handily but failed to secure the two points.
The San Jose Sharks made a strong start, with the Lund line leading the way. Mikael Granlund initiated the play with a well-executed pass into the zone for Fabian Zetterlund. Zetterlund showcased his skill and vision, creating ample space as he entered the zone and dragging across a defenseman to open up the net for the other Lund. William Eklund made a decisive move towards the net, where Zetterlund delivered the puck to the young Swede. A brilliant forehand-backhand move created an opening on the glove side, leading to a successful finish. The Sharks took the lead with a pretty goal.
In the second period, the Sharks would get another one. As the Flames tried to exit the zone, Mike Hoffman forced the turnover and gathered the loose puck, with the Flames flying the zone. It meant he had a clear passing lane forward to Jacob MacDonald, who was returning from his forecheck. MacDonald lifted the backhand shot over Wolf's glove, and the Sharks were up early.
Calgary would get it back with plenty of time left to go in the second period when the Sharks' second line couldn't get off the ice. Matt Coronato made a few moves at the blueline, trying to shake Jan Rutta, who was covering him. Eventually, Coronato got a little space, allowing him to find the passing lane to the back post for Rasmus Andersson. Andersson cut to the middle of the ice, where Mackenzie Blackwood kicked away his first shot, but the Swedish defenseman potted the rebound.
This game would be tied before the end of the second when the Flames' powerplay got them back into it. Andrei Kuzmenko tried to drive to the net on the blocker side of Blackwood, but there was nothing there. It forced the puck loose to Yegor Sharangovich. Sharangovich had time to pick out a pass but, in the end, flubbed it through the slot to Nazem Kadri at the back post. Kadri put it over Blackwood and into the net to tie this game up at two.
There was no scoring for the remainder of regulation, so we skipped ahead to overtime, where the Sharks found themselves on the penalty kill. Kuzmenko and Huverdeay would play catch at the point before Huberdeau eventually drove to the net. His pass to the man in front allowed Kadri to try and fire it home, but Blackwood was equal to it. However, Andrei Kuzmenko would slide into the back post to together the rebound to pot the winner, and the Sharks lost again.