A great effort from the San Jose Sharks late in the second half of a back saw them rescue a point from a position of utter weakness. They recover from three goals down to earn a point but ultimately fall in the shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers. A lot of heart and character was shown as the Sharks fought to the bitter end again. You cannot question this team's work ethic and dedication right now.
Philadelphia opened the scoring as they broke up the ice. The long-time Colorado Avalanche defenseman fired home a puck from the point past Vitek Vanecek on the blocker side. San Jose's defense broke down, allowing an odd-man rush up the ice. It would always be dangerous, and the Flyers make them pay. It was not good team defense, and the Sharks started to dig the hole in the first period.
Vanecek would come up big before the Flyers struck again to keep it at 1-0, but eventually, the dam broke. On the powerplay, Philadelphia channeled their inner Harlem Globe Trotters. Emil Andrae found Matvei Michkov, and Michkov's pass to Travis Konecny in the slot, which let him fire a bullet home past Vanecek, and the Flyers led 2-0 after the first period.
Philadelphia would strike again in the third as Egor Zamula won the puck back in his zone. He found Ryan Poehling, and a home-run pass let Matvei Michkov get behind the Shark's defense. He went five-hole on Vanecek, who would like to have that one back, and the Sharks were now behind the eight ball. San Jose was staring down either a 7-0 loss or a fightback. Thankfully, it was the latter.
With less than five minutes left in the second, San Jose struck. William Eklund leads the rush up the ice after winning the puck in the Sharks zone. He drives quickly before trying to set up Jack Thompson in front, who had jumped from his defensive position. He missed Thompson's stick but hit his skate, and the Sharks were on the board thanks to the young rookie defenseman.
San Jose would tally again before the end of the second. William Eklund continued to cause problems for the Flyers defensively as he hurried up the ice and behind the net. However, the craftiest of passes off the boards found Mikael Granlund alone in front of the net, and the dangerous Finn made the Flyers pay. He went shortside on Sam Errson, and the Sharks were alive and kicking.
San Jose trailed late into the third. They needed a leader to step up and score. Someone that wasn't on the top line had to create something. So, when you need a goal, turn to a two-time Stanley Cup Champion. Henry Thrun fired a shot from the point that hit Owen Tippet's skate in front, and Barclay Goodrow picked it up and ripped hit home to tie the game at 3. San Jose fought back from 3 down to force OT.
An eventful overtime couldn't separate the two teams, so we go to the shootout. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith were denied, but Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny scored. It means that the Sharks fall despite their fight back. They earn a point and take three from four in this back-to-back set.