Preseason Notes #1: Sharks Lose to Ducks 6-3, Top Golden Knights 4-2

First Period (at Vegas Golden Knights)

Eleven left: Responsible backcheck by Jasper Weatherby in DZ. Went back on play, helped his San Jose Sharks teammate. Meanwhile, in Anaheim, John Madden cited Dylan Gambrell as his standout player on both sides of the puck. Gambrell feeling the heat?

Sasha Chmelevski PP goal: No-look pass from William Eklund, Eklund looked toward middle, shoveled it to Scott Reedy in corner. Deception with purpose from Eklund.

Chmelevski gets the goal, nice setup from Reedy and Eklund. Credit Pederson for keeping the puck in. #SJSharks 1, #VegasBorn 0 pic.twitter.com/QsNdUwWj1X

— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) September 27, 2021

Second Period

Weatherby hammers it home for the goal off a Peyton turnover, forced by Matt Nieto – “Great shot” says Shane Hnidy, Vegas color commentator. The fourth-line center competition off to a good start for the San Jose Sharks.

Three minutes in: Eklund tricky along the wall. Smaller but elusive, as the scouting reports note. He doesn’t look out of place to me at what is this? An elevated AHL level sprinkled with some NHL All-Stars?

Five in: Lane Pederson does good job helping out Mario Ferraro. Ferraro was being pressured by Vegas forecheck, Pederson went back to outnumber the forecheck behind the net, get the puck out.

Adam Raska goal: I’ve noticed him consistently tonight. He’s not going to make a living as a scorer, but he can skate and provide energy for sure.

Nine in: Eklund forechecks the puck off Shea Theodore in the corner – that’s impressive any way you cut it. Then he distributes it, then happens to be in right place, right time for backhand chance in slot.

Five left: Not a banner start from Jonathan Dahlen. Not looking particularly quick so far, not making any plays. Not writing him off – but Eklund, for example, has jumped out on plays big and small. Can’t say same of Dahlen so far.

Four left: Eklund in the middle of more stuff. Looks like his forecheck along the wall caused a VGK DZ turnover, San Jose Sharks scoring chance. Will have to re-watch.

One left: Not a great decision by Weatherby to dive for that puck skittering toward blueline on VGK PP. His gambit failed and took him out of position, putting more strain on PK.

Third Period

One in: Good job by Weatherby to help down low, recognize open man along wall for exit.

Nine left: Eklund backcheck, steals it from Stephenson. He started a couple steps behind the speedy Stephenson – impressive.

Two shifts later, Weatherby does same thing but in NZ.

Six left: Eklund again. On backcheck, recognizes there are two other Sharks for two Golden Knights, hangs back and waits for VGK trailer, pokes pass to trailer away.

PRETTY last second pass from Eklund.