Karlsson Scores Twice, But Sharks Drop 5-4 OT Thriller

The San Jose Sharks visit the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Center. Alexander Barabanov got the Sharks off to a quick 1-0 lead, then Steven Lorentz and Erik Karlsson (twice) also scored, but the Sharks lost in OT 5-4.

Really? #confidentmuch @EdmontonOilers @SanJoseSharks @NBCSSharks pic.twitter.com/XXSP7w4O8R

— Randy Hahn (@sharkvoice) March 21, 2023

Period 1

Hertl no-goal: Well, that was a nice play by Barabanov who went offside. Another bullet from Hertl, who’s been firing away recently.

2 in: Not a very good penalty by Kane. Pouliot is his man, Kane loses him down slot.

New San Jose Sharks power play units: Karlsson-Hertl-Couture-Johnsson-Labanc, Pouliot-Barabanov-Kaut-Agozzino-Zetterlund.

Barabanov goal: Good first pass by Vlasic to Barabanov, takes a beat to lure in the Oilers forechecker. Then it looks like Barabanov outhustles Kane to the shooting spot.

Bjugstad goal: Maybe there’s an expectation that Reimer should stop that puck on the dump-in? Three Sharks end up on one side, leaving Ferraro to deal with a 2-on-1 down low. Reimer has no chance on the kill shot. Looking again, the outstanding play is the bang-bang Janmark pass off the wall, surprises Benning, finds Foegele, leaves Ferraro on island.

Hyman no-goal: Right call, Reimer doesn’t look able to complete his save attempt.

10 in: Aggressive-looking Hertl so far. Another shot.

4 left: As fantastic a player as Kane was for the Sharks, I think there’s some revisionism on how good he was on the ice for them. This period has been sort of the worst of what you saw from Kane in San Jose (once again, on the ice), disengaged defense and bad penalties at times. Still a great player, but definitely very flawed.

Huge save by Reimer, bails Hertl out after ill-advised high PP pass by Tommy.

5 Slot Shots apiece, San Jose 5-2 at even strength. Another good period, but no lead. Same old story. Think it has to be discouraging, play good-to-great period, can’t get a lead. Play just OK, you’re likely down. Play bad, you’re pretty much smoked.

By the way, since the Timo Meier trade, Sharks are 32nd in the NHL with a 2.10 Goals Per Game. That’s no surprise, of course. 4.6 Goals Against Per Game in that period of time. The wheels have fallen off.

Period 2

Randy says Hertl had 5 of the San Jose Sharks’ 13 shots in the opening frame.

Yamamoto goal: Oilers’ forecheck outnumbers Karlsson. Then it’s just a scramble. Couture maybe tries to block the pass instead of taking the man, Yamamoto.

1 in: Good eye by Drew, Knyzhov slow to react to Foegele sneaking behind him. Too slow. As great a story as Knyzhov is, still a lot to iron out for next season.

5 in: Gotta give Drew another one, he offers a good defense for that bad Karlsson stretch pass. Essentially, he gets license because that’s a pass that he can make, that few can make.

Johnsson no-goal: What a play by Karlsson, that walk down wall, stutter, then pass between Ekholm’s legs.

That’s a close call, Couture didn’t initiate contact, but he was in the crease on his own accord, and Campbell couldn’t make the save as attempted in that space.

Lorentz goal: Beaut stretch pass by Benning, nice one-touch by Agozzino to Lorentz.

9 in: Shouldn’t that be holding on Reimer on Nugent-Hopkins? The initial contact I get, he can do that, but he’s holding after, preventing RNH from getting to loose puck?

Karlsson goal: Incredible move! But also big block by Johnsson and terrific pass by Zetterlund.

Erik Karlsson with a nifty move that beats Campbell. "Nice pass" EK65 says to Zetterlund. Sharks lead. #SJSharks 3, #LetsGoOilers 2 pic.twitter.com/POFSWjkMv8

— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) March 21, 2023

Ekholm goal: Knyzhov bites too hard on Ekholm, and I guess Reimer will want that back.

Karlsson goal: Outstanding patience, vision, and execution by Barabanov to find seam to Karlsson.

Karlsson's 22nd, a career season high. What a period by him, including that called-back pass on Johnsson no-goal

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 21, 2023

While the Ekholm goal might be regrettable, Reimer has played well, especially in the middle frame. Per SPORTLOGiQ, Oilers now have 17-10 Slot Shots edge (12-5 in second period), 12-6 High-Danger (9-4 in 2nd) at 5-on-5. Reimer is under siege in this defense optional affair.

Period 3

1 in: Another Hertl turnover high leads to a breakaway, this time the post stops McDavid. That’s a really bad from Hertl, just a no chance pass. He was doing that more early in the season, had cleaned that up recently, but not tonight.

Gregor no-goal: Oh man. Sad to see that Gregor smile go away in a hometown game. Gregor a step ahead. Looks like Karlsson blocks shot, kicks it in front of him, 3-on-1 the other way. Oilers forecheck appears to overcommit. Karlsson loves that play, the block leading to counterattack.

Those Johnsson and Gregor no-goals, that could’ve been a four-point Karlsson night.

5 in: Just back and forth now, 2-on-1, big Reimer save on Nurse.

Well, on the bright side, these defense-optional games are probably Karlsson's best chance at 100 points? Otherwise: Since the Meier trade, Sharks' 2.10 goals per game (before tonight) is last in NHL

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 21, 2023

7 in: Nice PK forecheck by Sturm to take the puck, sets up Vlasic.

10 in: Another outstanding forecheck by Sturm, sets up Zetterlund.

7 left: Good work by Knyzhov to evade Yamamoto forecheck, hits Lorentz for first pass, then Lorentz able to go blueline to blueline. Maybe he’s RNH’s forecheck? Ceci saves Lindholm shot that appears to be going in.

Ekholm goal: What a shot, that’s a bullet in tight. Hertl and Barabanov go toward same man high (Barabanov should’ve held back), leaving Ekholm all alone. Hyman and Benning get tangled up in front, that takes Benning away from making it at least a 2-on-1.

1 left: What a save by Reimer on Draisaitl. Whoa. And 47 seconds left on the clock.

OT

Nice clear with touch by Couture right after PK.

#SJSharks 15th OT/shootout loss this year, tied for NHL lead with Flames

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 21, 2023