Karlsson Scores Hat Trick, But Sharks Lose in Shootout

The San Jose Sharks welcome the Anaheim Ducks to SAP Center for a battle of Pacific cellar-dwellers. This game was chaos — Erik Karlsson scored a hat trick and Timo Meier added a pair — but the Sharks lost in the shootout.

Period 1

1 in: I like Nieto as a role player, and he does do positive things for a scoring line, but that give-and-go interaction with Ferraro, pass missed, are the small things that suggest why he’s not a long-term solution to play up. Not his fault, by the way. He’s a veteran, a good one, we know who he is. It’s the San Jose Sharks’ lack of depth, underperforming expensive forwards, who are forcing him higher. Actually been pretty good to start season.

4 in: Oof don’t like that Simek pass to Kunin, Kunin has no chance, suicide pass. Two forecheckers right on top of Kunin.

Henrique goal: Benning has a chance to advance puck through NZ, doesn’t. Then Lindblom has clearcut possession, trying to exit, and misses Labanc on a more difficult pass than maybe he should’ve tried. Honestly, benchable mistake IMO.

Karlsson goal: Svechnikov makes a nice play off faceoff, stick checks Dmitry Kulikov, gets it back to point. A high-compete play there. Going to ask Karlsson after the game his Super Bowl pick, these days, he can’t miss.

Sturm goal: Sturm, Bonino tough on forecheck. Sturm outcompetes Terry behind net, gets it back to Karlsson. Terry is picking up his stick instead of engaging with Sturm, awful defensive play, Sturm re-directs Karlsson shot.

Vatrano goal: While he’s forced to go side to side, I think I’d like Kahkonen to have that? Anyway, Lundestrom beats three Sharks, I think Kunin watching the slot has to be a little more alert, on the royal road pass to Vatrano.

4 left: Ferraro bails out Simek, Simek gets turned around. Ferraro blocks it with his feet, kicks it up, gets it out.

3 left: And that’s why Nieto is on the second line as opposed to say a Lindblom, just more reliable compete, consistent decision-making. Almost forces a turnover right in front of Stolarz with his effort. I guarantee if you could rely on Lindblom/Labanc’s compete/decision-making, they’d be up there on lines.

Henrique goal: I like the Benning signing, but I can’t defend that. Ouch. And yup, situationally, would like a save from Kakko, bail out his teammates there. Though in his defense, 17 shots against in opening frame is not acceptable from players in front of him.

Well, at least the Sharks are being bad AND entertaining.

Period 2

Opening shift, Sturm breaks his stick, instead of just worrying about stick, he looks to play, sees if San Jose Sharks jostling for puck need help, THEN he goes to bench and gets new lumber. There’s a lesson for Terry.

1 in: Barabanov with a wrap-around, beaut centering pass to Couture on that shift.

3 in: Lorentz gets in there, draws a call with pure effort. Vlasic and Benning good work up top to create offense, pressure.

Meier goal: Just an outstanding individual effort from Meier. Tripped on entry while slicing through three Ducks, keeps it alive, fires it past Stolarz.

Kunin 10-9 Beaulieu. Kunin’s first fight as a Shark, he had 7 last year with Preds.

Zegras penalty: Looks like he takes a frustration penalty on Benning, so MB must be doing something right. Then Kunin gets picked by a linesman as he’s trying to bust through NZ.

Strome goal: Um okay. Off the chest and in.

Meier goal: Um okay. Silfverberg own goal from the top of the circles.

If there were such a thing as a relegation series in the NHL, based on tonight, I think Sharks-Ducks would be very fun

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 2, 2022

Good puck movement from PP2 off the draw. Labanc does a nice job distributing with Karlsson. I get why Labanc got tossed off the top-six, but there’s still clear talent here, I think. Would like to see him get some run again, 5-10 games on a scoring line.

Period 3

3 in: Svechnikov does good job of backing up Karlsson there.

4 in: Good defensive effort by Karlsson at end of long shift to prevent an easy exit from Silfverberg. Couture covers for Karlsson.

5 in: Poor DZ coverage off draw almost does San Jose Sharks in. Vatrano gets an open jam attempt.

Lindblom has got a couple shifts in a row with Hertl-Meier. Just hit Hertl with the breakaway pass

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 2, 2022

Comtois goal: Looks like Megna got caught on wrong side by Terry, then just a cascading breakdown from there.

Svechnikov now on 4th line, wouldn’t have guessed that based on first period.

Wow. Labanc just made a gorgeous seam pass, Lorentz has Stolarz dead to rights. But not able to one-time it, Stolarz able to make a jaw-dropping save.

Karlsson's 1st hat trick ever

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 2, 2022

Finally some hats start coming down. I think the crowd thought it was Kunin's goal at first. So they played a minute after the goal. But then when the scoreboard announced Karlsson's first-ever hat trick, hats started flying

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 2, 2022

OT

I think there was a hold there.

1 left: Good support by Vlasic on Sturm turnover.