Sharks Start New Year Right, Bash Hawks 5-2

The San Jose Sharks visit the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on New Year’s Day. Jonah Gadjovich, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Alexander Barabanov, Timo Meier, and Evgeny Svechnikov scored, and the Sharks bashed the Hawks 5-2.

Period 1

Barabanov great feed to Hertl to begin. Shed his defender on the wall, then royal road pass to Hertl.

Karlsson looking sharper to start tonight than he did yesterday.

6 in: Nice in-tight pass by Lindblom to Gadjovich, continuing his strong play from yesterday. His small-area play seems to be coming around.

6 left: Big save by Kahkonen on Kane breakaway, Karlsson does good job to come back and force Kane’s hand a little.

Terrific 1st by San Jose Sharks, 5-2 Slot Shots per SPORTLOGiQ, 7-1 High-Danger at 5-on-5 per Natural Stat Trick, but nothing to show for it. Again, slowed by a casual-looking power play.

Period 2

Another blown power play, do like that quick play to Meier to start PP, more of that.

3 in: Nice job by Harrington to stay on attacking Mitchell, rarely see a defenseman 180 like that to kill play but it worked.

Kane goal: Harrington had a chance to get it out, Remenda said it too, don’t be overcautious, ice it or sky it. That was too careful a play in that situation, Kahkonen’s stick broken.

Next shift, another nifty Lindblom feed to Gadjovich. Lindblom playing his way onto an elevated line, I think.

Lafferty goal: Chicago rush fed by Svechnikov turnover. Down low, he tries to get it back to the point, which isn’t wrong, but sniffed out by the Hawks.

Gadjovich goal: Hertl does a nice job on the forecheck, then Gadjovich and Lindblom get in front. Line deservingly getting rewarded.

Vlasic goal: Good job by Benning off faceoff to find Vlasic and executes by getting it in general area.

Barabanov goal: Karlsson snaps off a hard outlet under forechecker Dickinson right to Couture. Barabanov does the rest with a nice backhand.

With a pair of assists in the second period, Erik Karlsson has extended his point streak to 13 games, setting the record for the longest point streak in franchise history. Karlsson has at least a point in every #SJSharks game dating back to Dec. 3 at OTT. Congratulations, Erik! pic.twitter.com/acXrV5zLLv

— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) January 2, 2023

Gadjovich leads all skaters with three Slot Shots. Been excellent tonight.

Period 3

3 in: Lindblom puts it in a good shooting place again for his linemate.

Meier goal: Meier on forecheck to start, he halts Hawks progress. Then Harrington just fires it, Meier also screens at the moment.

Back-to-back bad penalties by Hertl after Meier goal. Putting a damper on a good overall San Jose Sharks effort.

Svechnikov goal: Good, direct hockey, just get it to the net, Svechnikov makes up for earlier mistake. Not sure if Lindblom meant to get it to Bonino, but he was first to the puck on the forecheck.