San Jose Sharks Remain Only Winless Team in the League After a Loss in Anaheim
Mackenzie Blackwood gave the San Jose Sharks a chance tonight, but the team could not score enough to get the win for their netminder. Special teams would be the story of the night as the San Jose Sharks drop to 0-5-2 on the year. Blackwood stopped 38 of 40 he faced, including being perfect at 5-on-5, but the parade to the box continued to bite the team in teal. Yes, they hit three posts on the night, but nine powerplay goals against in the last four games isn't good enough.
Anaheim would break the ice on the powerplay. Cutter Gauthier played the puck to Jackson LaCombe in his end, and LaCombe found a stretch pass to Troy Terry in the neutral zone. San Jose gave him the freedom of Orange County to skate into, and he picked his spot on Blackwood, who could do nothing with that. Some poor penalty-killing sinks the Sharks here, and it's 1-0 Anaheim in the second period.
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San Jose would get it back in the third on the powerplay. Jack Thompson got the puck to William Eklund. Eklund played catch with Mikael Granlund before Granlund wound up and fired one from the point. It sailed past everything, getting the Sharks onto equal footing. Granlund's first goal of the season receives Jack Thompson his first NHL point, as he was incredible tonight. 1-1, and there was hope for the team in teal.
Less than a minute later, the Ducks would regain their lead on their powerplay. Leo Carlsson carried the puck into the Sharks zone before getting it to Troy Terry. Anaheim worked it to the point where Blackwood stopped a shot from Mason McTavish, but Carlsson put the rebound home. Another poor penalty kill sinks the Sharks, and it's 2-1 moments later.
Alex Killorn hit the open net as the Sharks tried to get it back, ending the game. Blackwood did everything he could to buy the win tonight, but the offensive struggles of this roster showed their head again. When the usually porous blueline wasn't the issue, it was a good night, but the offense going quiet is not good enough. San Jose are the only team in the league without a win after tonight.