Drive to 100: Karlsson Up to 90 Points, But Sharks Lose 5-3

The San Jose Sharks take on the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome. Logan Couture, Nico Sturm, Martin Kaut scored, but the Flames pulled out a 5-3 victory.

Period 1

Weegar goal: Flames made it very tough for the San Jose Sharks to exit along the walls, both Gregor and Simek had contested bids and couldn’t power it out. Looks like Gregor went low to help out, nothing wrong there I think, but a good MacDonald play, interrupted slot pass, bad bounce into an unmarked Weegar’s wheelhouse.

Toffoli goal: Just sloppy, Ferraro had the puck in NZ, return pass to Kaut, fairly routine play, can’t be collected, turnover. Kaut does not do a good job of identifying the switch — Ferraro grabbed Lindholm who had the speed, totally right decision — leaving Toffoli for someone to pick up. That was Kaut, on the replay, it looks like Kaut is looking at the puck in the center lane the whole time, not aware of his responsibility. Honestly, that’s the kind of read that leaves you in the AHL. Toffoli is no speed racer.

Couture goal: Vlasic deserves the uncredited assist here, stifling a dangerous-looking Flames counterattack after Karlsson couldn’t get it out. That initiates Sharks outnumbered rush, Agozzino makes a sweet pass to Karlsson, then Karlsson with a highlight reel feed to Couture.

SPORTLOGiQ says Sharks 4-2 Slot Shots, while NST has it Flames 4-3 High-Danger at 5-on-5. Looks like the San Jose Sharks did respond to Calgary’s scorching start, so credit there.

Couture tells @BretHedican, about one of his goals to close #SJSharks season: "Personally, I want to see Erik get 100 points…For him, we're going to try as hard as we can to get him there."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 25, 2023

Period 2

Sturm goal: Another good Vlasic defensive shift, he steps up along wall when Flames try to power it through, then intercepts a soft dump. Gives it to Karlsson, who starts up rush attack. Great effort by Sturm, who blows by Gilbert’s lax rush defense, Gilbert looks unprepared, to be honest, for Sturm’s speed and strength.

Kaut goal: Good job by Benning, Kaut, and Lindblom to fight it out under immense Flames forecheck pressure. Really great effort by Lorentz to use his speed and skill to get a shot off, I wonder if he’s blossoming a little. Then Kaut, and again, the Flames just look lax picking up their men, beats Hanifin to the rebound. Got to see how Kaut stayed open too, credit to him, maybe he juked Hanifin a little.

Duehr goal: Not sure what Kahkonen is trying to do there. But his turnover puts San Jose Sharks into a fire drill, leaving Duehr all alone in front. Quinn thinks the Flames player touched Kahkonen’s attempted clear was touched by a high stick, and looked close, but that’s not reviewable.

6 in: Hedican says he’s not liking Kahkonen’s body language right now, looking behind himself after every shot. Important to spotlight because it’s a big question for next year, can Kaapo be a solution in goal for the Sharks this season.

Period 3

Kadri goal: After this goal and the TV break, Hedican had a terrific breakdown of the little defensive things that keep Gregor out of the NHL on a regular basis. While he’s talking Gregor, he may as well be talking about Labanc or the scores of AHL forwards that the Sharks have in the line-up right now. This is the bar to stay in the league.

For what it’s worth, Benning just overpowered net front by Kadri there.

10 in: Back-to-back Grade-A chances for Agozzino, Markstrom holds him off though. What a pass by Karlsson too, he’s given Agozzino a couple Grade-A’s today.