Sharks Win! Kahkonen Makes 43 Saves in Shootout Victory

LOS ANGELES — The San Jose Sharks visit Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Kings.

Fabian Zetterlund and William Eklund and Justin Bailey scored, and the Sharks win it in the shootout.

Period 1

1 in: Maybe Duclair should’ve stayed back? Burroughs was forechecking and coming back. Not one, but two Kings got behind defense, Okhotiuk included.

Tough start for Okhotiuk, who’s pickpocketed on a routine exit.

2 in: Then another odd-man rush allowed, off a poor Sturm pass up high. Telegraphed.

5 in: Maybe timing after long lay-off, but Sturm has had a rough start with the puck so far.

9 in: Good net drive by Eklund on Okhotiuk point shot. He’s had a step tonight.

Zetterlund forces a turnover with hustle as F2 in NZ forecheck. More of that.

Rutta post: Off a Zetterlund and Hertl forecheck, playing fast. Hoffman finds Rutta. Really good shift.

10 left: Good NZ forecheck from Sturm, Kunin, and Eklund. Then Burroughs gives Anderson-Dolan a little bump after whistle. San Jose Sharks playing with a little more fire after slow start.

Duclair penalty: He doesn’t like it, Danault maybe goes down easy. Sharks need a boost from a dead-last kill. Hertl-Zetterlund, Sturm-Eklund, Couture-Carpenter go.

3 left: Hoffman exit pass up the middle just misses. Backhand blind? First look, pretty awful. Gotta look at the receiver side of it too. But Kahkonen saving their bacon so far.

2 left: Dubois just holds off Okhotiuk attacking net.

Kings had 13 of period’s last 14 shots, Kahkonen keeping it scoreless. 18-7 shots. San Jose Sharks had some strong forecheck to start, but quickly dissipated.

Period 2

1 in: Ferraro waits for Barabanov to get in front, good wait for a deflection try. Ferraro has been in the middle of a lot of Sharks’ offense tonight.

4 in: Gotta watch that one again. Vlasic makes a good defensive play, I think, but then with a Shark in front of him to exit, goes glass and turnover. Maybe it was an indirect that missed? But man, Sharks need the puck to get forward, to connect.

5 in: Zadina with a nice drag to backhand. I’ve also liked him tonight.

6 in: Rutta meets Gavrikov in corner. A rare No. 84 vs. No. 84 meeting.

Zetterlund goal: He’s had a very good game. Now tied with Hertl for Sharks’ team lead with 14 goals.

Eklund goal: Good for him! He’s had a good game. Sturm pulls in three Kings and feeds Eklund before the defense closes in.

10 in: Barabanov does a good job avoiding worst of Doughty hit.

Better angle of Ferraro injury pic.twitter.com/CeNTJ3fTgd

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) January 23, 2024

Moore goal: San Jose Sharks just defending there. Hertl had the puck, but he just cleared it to NZ, and Moore just speeds past Vlasic, snaps it past Kahkonen. Not good hockey from the Sharks, defensive urgency lacking (for example, Hoffman deflects the puck up, he eases up, instead of continuing to skate toward a puck that hits near top of glass, not close enough to out to relax in my opinion).

And now, Kunin goes to the box. What we’ve seen all year from Sharks, when the other team wants to turn it on, Sharks just don’t have the manpower to resist much, save whatever their goalie can do.

Period 3

Ferraro does not come out for the start of the period. Massive blow for the San Jose Sharks.

Byfield goal: Fittingly, Sharks announce Ferraro done tonight as Byfield scores. Quinn upset on the bench after. Awful coverage of course, Byfield all alone. Hedican says Okhotiuk can’t follow nobody behind the net, he needs to take middle. Especially with Rutta vacating middle on Kempe.

Bailey goal: Size and speed from Bailey, and nice Carpenter pass. Rittich will want that back.

Eklund back on the top line with Hertl.

Kahkonen penalty: Uh-oh. Unforced delay of game over glass. And he’s had such an outstanding game.

Doughty goal: That kind of season for the Sharks. Get 2-0 lead, Ferraro goes down. Minutes from a gritty 3-2 win, Kahkonen, who’s been incredible, sails it over the glass.

OT

Couture-Eklund-Thrun to start OT.

Kahkonen robs Fiala. Whatever happens tonight, #SJSharks don't even make it to OT w/o him

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2024