Oilers Run Sharks Out of SAP Center 7-1

The San Jose Sharks welcome the Edmonton Oilers into SAP Center. They really rolled out the welcome mat, as the Oilers walked all over them for a 7-1 victory.

Period 1

2 in: After PP, some good puck movement from San Jose Sharks, Benning hitches on entry, Labanc passes it through Oilers winger watching point.

Good action from Sharks so far, Eyssimont on top line looks like a bid to replicate Nieto on Couture line, balance out Sturm line with Labanc. It’s actually not the worst idea, but of course, odds are that it doesn’t work. Waiver claims don’t step onto the first line just like that usually, no disrespect to Eyssimont. That said, Eyssimont has had a nice couple games to start, eye test and analytics.

McDavid goal: Couture on PK tries to play broken stick toward McDavid, subtle, but that doesn’t stop McDavid.

By the way, that was McDavid's first-ever goal on his birthday — had just 2 assists in his 2 previous b-day games before tonight https://t.co/qRlho5wEnP

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 14, 2023

4 left: Eyssimont on top of Nurse, almost causes turnover by himself. Good FC effort.

Kostin goal: Might be a long night for San Jose Sharks if stuff like that going in. Looks like Sharks defended it pretty well, from Gadjovich to Benning. Off Kostin’s skate.

Puljujarvi non-call: Clear that it was Meier’s stick that hit himself. Though maybe there’s a slash in there for knocking it out of Meier’s hands in the first place. But nothing called, play on.

Same old story, #SJSharks have played fairly well, nothing to show for it: 1-1 Slot Shots at Even Strength, Oilers do have 2 Slots Shots on PP

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 14, 2023

Period 2

3 in: Nice self-pass by Gadjovich to break out. He’s a guy, from what I’m hearing, who’s playing himself into some trade value. Not a lot, mind you, but he’s definitely grown his game from last year.

McDavid goal: Tough night for Cicek, Nugent-Hopkins shows him NHL-caliber forecheck, forces him into a trip. Both McDavid PP goals off Cicek penalties.

10 in: Big save by Kahkonen, coming across on Janmark. If Sharks make a game of it, we can look back on that.

9 left: Eyssimont does a nice job putting it in a place where Hertl has a chance, and it draws a call. I don’t think he’s been bad in his role.

8 left: Pretty curl-and-drag by Meier to get a shot off in high slot with Oilers PK pressure. That’s from the Meier create-a-shot box.

Nugent-Hopkins goal: Kahkonen makes stop on short-handed attempt by Janmark, great save, but then maybe overcommits to Janmark behind the net. Janmark finds Nugent-Hopkins off to side, Benning on him, but Kahkonen is out of play. All off initial Benning PP turnover, been a rough couple nights for him.

The boos are coming out, and they’re deserved.

Draisaitl goal: Sharks have lost the script. McDavid on top of Benning on forecheck, wins it, back to Draisaitl in high slot. Sharks have worked hard to stay competitive, but I wonder if there will be a lot more games like this later this season when even a whisper of a playoff hope is gone. A tough, tough year.

OK now #LetsGoOilers are rolling #SJSharks. We can see it on the scoreboard, but SJS not hanging around anywhere. Per SPORTLOGiQ, it was EDM 3-1 Slot Shots after 1st, now it's 10-2

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 14, 2023

Period 3

2 in: Dark comedy. Vlasic puts it I think where he was aiming for in open net, but into Campbell’s glove.

Barabanov seems to be off PP1 in favor of Bonino? Barabanov still on bench.