Sharks Can’t Shake Bad Habits in 2nd Half, Lose 4-3 in LA

LOS ANGELES — The San Jose Sharks visit the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Nick Bonino and Timo Meier scored, but the Sharks blew it after tying it late in the final frame, lose 4-3.

Period 1

Good first couple shifts for San Jose Sharks, Meier found Labanc for a slot stuff.

1 in: Former Kings draft pick Eyssimont gets his first touch in Crypto, icing.

2 in: Barabanov on top of Doughty, takes it.

Kopitar gets a chance, but only because of a funny bounce off stanchion. Sharks have been really good so far.

4 in: Like that Gadjovich backcheck. Kings are a little sleepy so far, can Sharks take advantage?

Nope. Byfield circles net, Megna flashes toward passer as Karlsson takes Kopitar, no one takes Kempe.

9 in: Nice spin by Barabanov along wall, sheds defender, finds Karlsson in slot. He’s had a good road trip.

8 left: A little bit of San Jose Sharks zone defense there, Kevin Labanc does not pursue the point after the center dot, hands him off to Vlasic.

7 left: Karlsson breaks Kupari’s ankles, just can’t keep it in.

4 left: Sharks have just been scrambling after a strong start before Kempe goal. 13-3 Kings shots since, I think.

3 left: Anderson-Dolan then Iafallo have point-blank attempts, big Reimer saves.

Reimer stopped 21-of-22 Sharks shots in the first period. Granted, Sharks played yesterday, but they gotta come with more than this.

#SJSharks had first four shots of game, #GoKingsGo took 22 of next 26 shots in 1st period. Last Sharks shot of the period was 9:54 in, so SJS didn't have a shot in 2nd half of period. I've been critical of Reimer recently, but he's stood on his head so far

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 12, 2023

FWIW though, SPORTLOGiQ not so hard on Sharks, they have it 5-4 LAK Slot Shots. That surprises me a little, but they see San Jose keeping LA to perimeter. Regardless, Sharks need another level.

Period 2

1 in: Better start for the San Jose Sharks, got their first shot since 9:54 in.

Bonino goal: Kind of break that the Sharks needed. Copley lopes toward loose puck, Bonino hungrier, puts it away.

4 in: All-Star quality deke from Meier, Durzi bites. Then good forecheck and shot by Eyssimont.

Byfield goal: And just when I wrote a nice Nieto piece. Poor OZ pass after a pretty good forecheck by Nieto, then can’t get out of DZ when he has the chance.

Hertl penalty: He has 10 minors through 41 games played. Career high was 14 last year.

8 left: Good kill by Couture to get it up to Nieto, then Doughty erases Nieto, but Couture again creates turnover and loose puck for Nieto to claim and draw a call with. Good PK shift by the captain.

6 left: Copley keeps it out. Puck literally standing on edge for Meier. Good PP for Sharks there though, some momentum.

4 left: Megna gets himself in trouble, teammates don’t help much, but Lemieux almost chews him up on forecheck. That was almost very ugly.

3 left: Fantastic individual effort by Labanc, almost connects with Meier in slot. Meier shovels it wide. That would’ve been highlight-reel had it worked, that’s a skill effort by Labanc.

Harrington hasn’t played all period, he’s not on the bench. Not sure what happened to him, he finished 1st period with no obvious issue.

Period 3

Per Sharks, Harrington will not return.

4 in: What a Karlsson shift. Dead sprint from Reimer, holds off two Kings, finds Hertl and Meier in space for clear-cut 2-on-1. Hertl misses. Then filters a point shot that Meier finds, turns, and fires off the post.

6 in: Sharks keep grinding. All in all, a lot to be proud of. But need that goal or two, story of the year.

7 in: Labanc trying to be clever up high, but his pass never makes it low, Iafallo intercepts, and another King get out on 2-on-0. Karlsson tracks back hard to bother the situation, and Iafallo tries to razzle dazzle Reimer, what a stop! Game-changer if Sharks can manage a point or more.

Meier goal: He knew before the Kings. What a shot.

Vilardi goal: Benning had a chance to do more with puck earlier in shift, but Kings hemmed them in.

Doughty goal: 2 Sharks pinch on one King, oops. Not a good effort by Karlsson on backcheck. Granted was playing like 3 of last 4 minutes there.