Notes #46: Sharks Tough Out Point in Tampa, Lightning Win 3-2 in OT

The San Jose Sharks try to go into the All-Star break on a high note, taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Amalie Arena. Mario Ferraro made a surprise return, and the Sharks played the two-time defending champs tough, Rudolfs Balcers and Logan Couture scoring to force overtime. But Tampa pulled it out in OT.

Period One

Ferraro starts off with a strong shift, feet escape the forecheck and moves it to the open man, who advances it out. Then another Lightning salvo, Ferraro denies entry, again his skating allows him gap up tight.

Five in: Smart stick pick by Middleton in DZ corner, puck rims instead to an open Meier, who exits. As good as a pass.

Seven in: Pederson helps defensively down, active, doesn’t let his man escape easily.

Great stat from Bret Hedican: Since 2017-18, no San Jose Sharks player had drawn more penalties (115) than Meier, Kane is next with 72.

Second unit of Ferraro-Bonino-Dahlen-Pederson-Gregor with great PP momentum

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 2, 2022

Bonino, Ferraro, and Dahlen on top did a good job moving puck. Much better PP than the first unit, they’re firing away on it.

Two left: Well-placed dump by Nieto, puck dies in corner. Gives Bonino a chance to pounce on it.

Solid opening frame for #SJSharks: Per SPORTLOGiQ, they have a 4-3 Slot Shots edge

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 2, 2022

Period Two

That’s not the way you want to start: Cirelli gets an easy tap-in. Breakdown starts when Point blows by Nieto in neutral zone. Ferraro tries to help on Point, right move. But his rotation leaves Burns, who can’t tie up Cirelli.

Three in: Burns good hustle to get back on Tampa three-on-one. Sharks need to calm their game down.

Balcers goal: Dahlen does a nice job in neutral zone, intercepts pass, counterattacks, that gains the zone for a Vlasic to Balcers’s deflection.

Ten in: Strong Meier shift — liked the up-high give and go with Meloche in particular.

Vasilevskiy and Reimer trade saves on breakaways.

Nine left: Loved Gregor’s patience after stopping the centering pass, then Gadjovich does a nice job drawing a call. Good shift from the fourth line.

Huge faceoff win by Bonino down two men. Sharks able to kill the short two-man disadvantage, but Sharks not able to kill it all. Don’t love that Couture penalty, but you can argue down two men, that’s a soft call.

Love that Meier cut-in. I’ve been critical of his play last two games, considering high expectations for him.

Rarely say it, but refs owe Sharks a make-up call or two. How do you call that on Meier?

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 2, 2022

Per SPORTLOGiQ, San Jose Sharks up to 8-6 Slot Shots.

Period Three

That was a quick make-up call. Classic Sharks hockey on that Couture goal. High tip off Burns shot. Before that, Reimer with a couple big saves, including a windmill glove.

Four in: Gregor gets a step, finds Pederson down the slot. Another strong shift from Gregor, he started the period with a good one. Been a fourth-line difference-maker.

Hilarious watching Cogliano jump on Perry in scrum — the former Duck knows what Perry is capable of haha.

Nine left: Sharks’ commitment softening, they gotta step it up, the trip’s not over yet. Been a great 45 or so minutes — just a little more.

The Lightning can strike so fast: Meier loses it in NZ, down the ice, Point spots the late man Hedman, post.

Two left: Ferraro feet again closes off the gap on Lightning entry.

OT

Balcers-Couture-Burns to start — Balcers rewarded for a strong overall game.