Karlsson Makes Electrifying Return, Sharks Win 4-3 in OT

LOS ANGELES — The San Jose Sharks head into the Crypt to take on the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks will welcome back Erik Karlsson, Jaycob Megna, and Jonathan Dahlen — and it’s Karlsson who helps to get them off to a good start with a no-look pass on Brent Burns’s game-opening power play goal. Nick Bonino and Alexander Barabanov struck too, Tomas Hertl scored in OT, and the Sharks pulled out a 4-3 thriller in OT.

Period 1

1 in: Megna pinches at the wrong time, no forwards can cover, Kings have a 2-on-1. Karlsson positioned to take pass though.

Instant impact by Karlsson: He gets puck at half-wall, waits for PK'er to come, then no-look passes it to Burns who one-times it in from the blueline — Sharks have missed EK65, to say the least

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 11, 2022

5 in: Little move by Reedy coming down wing, beats his D, gets a shot off. Nice to see him getting more comfortable at this level.

San Jose Sharks might need to turn to Stalock quick: Sawchenko drops an easy glove save, drops in front, Danault has an easy one. Then Athanasiou in following shift throws a soft one that eludes the rookie. Anybody can make one mistake, but a veteran probably doesn’t allow the second.

10 in: Reedy gets a call, good start for him. He’s got some pop tonight, making a case for himself.

Looks like it’s a double-shifted Karlsson with Reedy, Bonino, Dahlen, and Barabanov for PP2.

5 in: Dahlen has a great chance in slot — that was started by a brilliant Karlsson, who kept puck on his stick as he literally crept into zone because a couple Sharks were offside. That’s world-class patience and puck poise as Kings swarmed around him.

2 in: Karlsson pinches when he maybe shouldn’t. Barabanov goes for wraparound instead of hitting Karlsson walking down. Quick kicks it out, Kings have a 2-on-1. Sawchenko’s got the long shot.

Sawchenko drops another easy glove, not even a shot this time, a dump-in. But it was whistled off-side I think. He does make a save on ensuing faceoff slot chance, so maybe he’s settling down a little.

Probably more wide-open than ideal, but it was a close 1st, LAK 8-7 Slot Shots on Net

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 11, 2022

Period 2

The San Jose Sharks start the middle frame on the PK: Couture beats Kopitar to a loose puck high, gets a chance. Classic California hockey match-up there.

Hertl has been oh so close this period. A big weight will lift for him when it happens.

Meier has been a force in this frame: Just drew a second call this period. More powerful than a locomotive!

Moore goal: That hurts. Can’t blame Sawchenko there. San Jose Sharks careless with puck, Moore has all day in the slot.

Bonino goal: But Sharks fight back on the same PP. Dahlen drives a shot at quick, looks like it’s bouncing in, then maybe Bonino gets a piece.

Middleton on the power play? Pumping up his trade value 😄

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 11, 2022

1 left: Great patience by Karlsson to hit Hertl for near partial break. Just another example of controlling time and space.

Period 3

Sharks actually won a period: 5-3 Slot Shots, 4-2 High-Danger at 5v5 per Natural Stat Trick.

Barabanov goal: Brilliant play by Karlsson. Wow. Kickstarted though, under cover, by a nice Balcers’s backcheck. Little plays that matter.

That could’ve been ugly: Sharks luck out that Kempe can’t handle the Danault pass on the 2-on-1 shortie.

7 left: Reedy draws another one, though on a hairy shift where Sharks were getting caved in a bit.

Hertl is heated, but that looks like a trip to me?

OT

Meier-Couture-Karlsson to start.