Hill Beats Sharks 4-2 in Kessel’s Milestone Game

The San Jose Sharks welcome back Adin Hill to SAP Center. It’s not just about Hill, of course, who started for the Vegas Golden Knights, but Phil Kessel, who will become the NHL’s record holder for Consecutive Games Played tonight. Kessel scored his 400th, but Nico Sturm and Matt Nieto answered back.

Period 1

The San Jose Sharks are off to a lethargic start, but good entry from Nieto clears room for Karlsson shot, Hill’s first trouble. Then a good Barabanov forecheck gets an OZ faceoff.

3 in: Gregor first on puck on forecheck. Then Karlsson challenges Roy on center line, wins puck.

5 in: Big save by Reimer. San Jose Sharks actually were coming, but then almost got beat by trailer. Love Meier’s pursuit of Pietrangelo for loose puck. Two top players going at it.

7 in: Svechnikov bangs his stick coming off, he knows that was a bad turnover.

9 in: Lindblom does a nice job protecting puck from Pietrangelo. Maybe he’s rounding into form?

9 left: That’s a tough one, Nieto trying to play fast, he re-directs a pass up, trying to get to I think Lorentz, but intercepted. The idea is sound, but can’t happen, that just feeds Vegas counterattack.

Last 3 minutes, feels like Vegas has taken over, and not to boil it down to one play, but I still think about that Nieto turnover. Sharks haven’t established much of anything since, perimeter stuff, not getting inside.

Kessel goal: The Thrill still can skate, he just powers by Benning. Hertl turned it over, trying to make a move from outside to inside.

Period 2

#SJSharks showed a little spark in the middle of the 1st, I think getting the puck in deep and working on the forecheck, but they lost that. #VegasBorn 7-1 Shots

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 26, 2022

Sharks have come out with a little more directness in their game in this period. They’re just hammering shots.

4 in: Looks ugly, but Ferraro does good job to recognize desperate situation, potential 2-on-1.

Sturm goal: Good cycle by Labanc and Svechnikov. Labanc seems to have found some chemistry here.

10 in: What a pass by Barabanov to Karlsson after real puck protection from Meier.

#SJSharks just outworking #VegasBorn right now. Have outshot VGK 10-3 in the 2nd

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 26, 2022

Nieto goal: Perfect stretch pass by Hertl.

Period 3

1 in: Barabanov just right time, right place. He’s been good tonight.

8 in: Thank Reims. Lindblom gets pickpocketed by it looks like Eichel in NZ, bad turnover. Then maybe Ferraro loses his man, no support for Stephenson breakaway. Looks like Ferraro was thinking a play ahead.

Karlsson goal: Karlsson (William) just smokes Karlsson (Erik). No idea when Karlsson is trying to do there.

Stone goal: That’s a goal given up, I think, by a dispirited bunch.

I mean, Karlsson is still your best hope to get out of mediocrity, he still has his moments. But this isn’t 2017.