On Friday the San Jose Sharks took on the Arizona Coyotes away from home, getting shutout 1-0.
The Sharks had two goals overturned in the third period that would have tied the game. The first came from William Eklund at 7:40 in the third period but was challenged successfully for goaltender interference. San Jose forward Luke Kunin made contact with Arizona goalie Connor Ingram, impeding his ability to make the save.
Ingram made 21 saves for the Avs in his third shutout game.
Attempting the second tying goal was Givani Smith at the end of the third, but was clearly offsides upon review.
While Smith only played 7:53 minutes of ice time, the right winger logged two of the 21 shots on net.
Aside from the two disallowed goals, the Sharks were outshot 24-21, winning just 37.5 percent of their faceoffs.
San Jose also picked up four penalties compared to Arizona who did not receive one.
“Disappointing we lost,” head coach David Quinn said postgame, “Our PK was good. We didn’t draw a penalty, which is disappointing.”
While the Sharks are not the team they were a month ago, loose play made the game what it was.
“We just were a half a step slow everywhere tonight,” Quinn said.
What might turnaround the Sharks lackluster offense is their recent trade maneuver.
On Friday, Sharks’ general manager Mike Grier announced that center Jack Studnicka had been acquired from the Vancouver Canucks. In exchange, the Canucks received defenseman Nick Cicek and San Jose’s 2024 sixth-round draft pick.
Cicek last played with the Sharks in the 2022-2023 season, with four assists in 16 games.
Studnicka has one goal in five games played with the Canucks this season.
“He’s still a young player,” Quinn said of the 24 year old, “He’s got some good size to him. He’s got skills, so we’re really excited to have him.”
The center acquisition was a second-round pick for the Boston Bruins in 2017.
Studnicka is expected to debut with the Sharks against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.
With forwards Nico Sturm and Ryan Carpenter both being added to the Sharks’ injured reserve, the team needs help offensively. Sharks will look to other players to take center.
“Jack is a big and fast, reliable two-way center,” Grier said in a press release, “He plays a complete game and has offensive upside.”
Time will tell if Studnicka finds his fit with San Jose.
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