The Sharks, after nine straight losses, are now on a two-game winning streak to start the season. Team Teal set an NHL record as the first team to lose nine straight games in back-to-back seasons.
On Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 at The Tank.
In the first period each team had two power play opportunities but remained scoreless.
At 2:20 in the second period, defensemen Jake Walman opened the scoring for the Sharks with a slap shot. Walman’s first goal of the season was assisted by Nico Sturm and Carl Grundstrom.
Seconds later, the Kings’ Akil Thomas tied the game with a wrister in front of Sharks’ goaltender Vitek Vanecek.
In the third, Fabian Zetterlund put Sharks in the lead 2-1, with Alex Wennberg and Walman picking up assists.
Alex Laferriere’s wrist shot, assisted by Warren Foegele, made it 2-2 for the Kings.
Forward Tyler Toffoli picked up his sixth goal of the season for the Sharks, making it 3-2 Sharks. Walman earned his second assist of the game.
With seconds left in the game, William Eklund’s wrist shot on the empty net made it 4-2, final score. Luke Kunin and Mario Ferraro picked up assists.
Mikael Granlund has 13 points, (five goals, eight assists) driving the offensive production for the team. Toffoli is also a reliable scorer with 10 points (six goals, four assists), and an impressive 17.6% shooting percentage.
Walman has accumulated 8 points and leads the team in plus/minus with +2, showing his strong two-way play. His average TOI is also notable at 22:41.
Zetterlund has capitalized on his chances with a 22.2% shooting percentage, scoring six goals and one assist. The 25-year-old winger has scored three times in the Sharks’ last two games.
After Tuesday’s game, Zetterlund told the press, “I want to build more confidence. And if I’m hitting the net, I know I have a weapon, and I just kind of use it.”
Other offensive contributors have been Eklund with eight points (two goals, six assists), and Wennberg (one goal, four assists).
While having fewer points and a -6 plus/minus, Cody Ceci has been a team stabilizer. The former Oiler continues to contribute to the team’s defensive core. Often paired with Walman, Ceci has been logging an average of 22:27 TOI.
Sturm also stabilizes Team Teal by winning 67.2% of faceoffs and adding physicality in faceoff situations.
Ferraro has been a backbone for the team with leadership on defense, heavy minutes, and boosts to team morale. Before San Jose’s first win, Ferraro told the press, “Tomorrow is a new day. We’re going to get back at it. We’re going to find ways to improve and we’re going to get our first win in Utah.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek face challenges with high goals-against averages and save percentages under .900.
Blackwood has a 1-3-2 record with a .888 save percentage, 3.89 goals-against average, and 167 saves over 324 minutes.
Vanecek holds a 1-4-0 record, posting a .879 save percentage, 3.65 goals-against average, and 145 saves in 329 minutes.
Tightening defensive coverage and limiting high-danger chances could relieve goaltending pressure.
San Jose Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks in a Halloween hockey showdown on Thursday. The Sharks hold a 3-3-4 record in their last 10 games against the Blackhawks all-time.
After the Hawks, the Sharks have three more games in their homestand against Vancouver, Columbus, and Minnesota.
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Featured image courtesy of NHL on NHL.com
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