Sharks Don’t Show Up on Time for Chrona’s 1st NHL Start, Shut Out 5-0 by Oilers

The San Jose Sharks welcomed the Edmonton Oilers into SAP Center.

The Sharks laid out like a welcome mat, no-showing Magnus Chrona’s first NHL start, and Chrona got pulled after giving up four goals in the first period. San Jose got shut out 5-0.

Period 1

McLeod goal: Starts with a Granlund OZ turnover with possession. He was too deliberate up high, I think, instead of quickly putting it into the corner for Duclair to win. He’s cut off, Oilers control the puck for a near minute in OZ.

4 in: Granlund does a great job there in DZ though, challenging McDavid, then Zetterlund helps out at right time to turn him over. Duclair hits Zetterlund with a great effort pass for a partial breakaway. Zetterlund stopped by defender back on first shot attempt, but then able to fire one away, Skinner save.

6 in: Stutter step move by Barabanov in corner to shake Hamblin. Like. Barabanov looks the same to me, just hasn’t had the consistent linemates. But he also appears to be someone who needs to play with better linemates, he’s got some moves, but he isn’t driving a line’s offense on his own. So that’s a productive forward on a bad team, not sure if there’s more than that.

8 in: Good backcheck by Hertl to intercept Draisaitl pass to trailer.

9 in: Kunin runs into Kane along wall. While maybe not considered heavyweights, both can certainly throw, would be a good fight.

Hyman goal: Barabanov doesn’t make, in my opinion, a great effort on puck on entry, turnover. Not a great pass by any means. But I think Barabanov had enough time to not lose it there. Then Zetterlund just flat-out beat by Hyman in the front. No excuse for that, puck-watching, didn’t move his feet, while Hyman just kept going past.

7 left: Best San Jose Sharks’ chance there, Zetterlund re-direct. Decent shift from that line.

Then Hertl can’t believe there wasn’t a call there on that chance. Really liked Eklund’s patience with puck along wall. Then Zadina just takes it from behind Desharnais, he’s had good pop in his skating tonight. 2-on-1 with Hertl.

Bouchard goal: But then, that line got stuck out there on another protracted Oilers possession shift, Eklund and Zadina had no energy to pursue points. Sharks had some pushback, it’s gone.

Draisaitl goal: Burroughs loses it in corner, Foegele grabs it, Draisaitl outmuscles Zadina toward blue paint. I thought that was McDavid and not Foegele at first, that’s how the Oilers have looked so far versus the JV.

On the surface, the chances don’t look that bad, per SPORTLOGiQ, Edmonton 6-4 Slot Shots, 3-2 High-Danger at Even Strength, but the OZ Possession difference is striking, 2:42 to 1:09, as is the Oilers just crashing the net with fearlessness. The San Jose Sharks have no one, speaking of the blueline, killing plays with authority.

I wonder if they pull Chrona or not to start period. This isn't his fault, of course.

But if #SJSharks are going to mail it in like they have tonight, maybe a mercy pull?

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 29, 2023

Period 2

Kahkonen is in. Chrona deserved better. The San Jose Sharks skaters should be ashamed.

Chrona deserves an apology from #SJSharks teammates, they've now ruined two special moments, his NHL debut (middle of 10-2 loss to Pens) and 1st NHL start, with just awful efforts.

Hopefully, Chrona will get the chance to have some good NHL memories soon

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 29, 2023

4 in: Nifty play by Hertl to protect it on carry-in from the obviously faster McDavid. Gotta re-watch. But that looked subtle yet high-skill.

Nugent-Hopkins goal: Hertl has played well to start the period. House-on-fire entry leads to Eklund and Zadina chances. But…Oilers cycle gets rolling, Hyman carries the puck around the Sharks’ defensive box like Superman flying around the globe…”Superman: The Movie” reference!…then a point shot, Hyman tip. Some credit to San Jose, they’ve played hard to start this period, 7-2 shots before the Hyman goal. But the better team just running circles around the Sharks tonight.

San Jose Sharks actually showed up in this period, one period too late. They’re still the inferior team. But they need to play with this kind of desperation for 60 minutes or they’re going to get embarrassed on a nightly basis.

Period 3

Eklund with Studnicka/Kunin. 4th line the same. Don't know if this is punitive at all, might just be a shake-up. Eklund leads #SJSharks with 5 shots tonight

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 29, 2023

Addison back on PP point with Granlund-Hoffman-Hertl-Zetterlund. Ferraro now point man of 2nd unit with Eklund-Duclair-Barabanov-Zadina

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 29, 2023

First question to Chrona post-game: How’s it feel to be called up to the NHL but still have an AHL team in front of you?