Notes #27: Sharks Give Wild Scare, But Lose 5-2

The San Jose Sharks came back from down 3-0 to make it a one-goal game, but the Minnesota Wild grabbed a couple empty netters, and the Sharks couldn’t take advantage of a two-point Jonathan Dahlen night.

Period One

Minute in: Labanc at the OZ wall, tosses soft backhand pass to far side trailer, easy pickoff. Not the start he wanted.

Seven in: Good DZ example of not just giving up puck quickly under pressure by Dahlen. Gets it on wall, curls back, skates it out instead of going pass to center lane speed.

Nine left: Behind the net, Meloche coughs it up with two Wild converging on forecheck. He’s gotta be better there.

Eight left:

That Dahlen shot first Sharks shot in about eight minutes

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 10, 2021

San Jose Sharks appear to need to be quicker moving the puck out, even if it’s glass and out. Last Karlsson shift, he has puck by himself for a moment, but forecheck right on him. Can’t blame him for that. But every once in a while, glass and out.

Seven left: Sharks come out with a three-on-two for once, a short one, but situationally, instead of Nieto pulling up at entry and feeding Bonino for low percentage pass to slot, take it in deeper, use your speed. Nieto had space, Merrill wasn’t challenging him much on entry. Instead, for a team that has had zero territory tonight, it’s a turnover the other way.

Four left: Nifty Gregor pass under Wild stick in NZ to Barabanov speed going through middle. Then off faceoff, Dahlen fires away. He still has a gift for getting chances, though it’s been a while since he scored.

Three left: Boy, do the Wild make it tough to exit. Dahlen, Karlsson, and Middleton manage, but it’s a minefield.

Two left: Smart vet play from Cogliano. Approaching center line with puck, his line changing, he slows down to a crawl, Wild forechecker still has to respect his speed. Cogliano  dumps it in when he has the line and there’s a new line to recover the puck, which they do.

Labanc post/crossbar from good, rare cycle from San Jose Sharks. Snake-bitten season for him, but Sharks were coming on in that period.

Period Two

One in: Pretty good shift for fourth line leads to Labanc drawing penalty. Good work by him.

Two in: Good little pass by Dahlen along wall to Karlsson up top on PP. Turns his body to protect. I’ve liked his game tonight, effective in small areas, forecheck.

Eriksson Ek goal: Quick puck movement, bang.

Eight in: Gorgeous Dahlen pass to Meier. He’s due.

Five left: Hill’s got to have that one. Good shot but definition of a backbreaker. Hopefully, Reimer is on his game when he’s back.

Four left: Did like Labanc’s entry there. Curl back to come out with DZ with puck, skates into four Wild in slot in OZ, dishes it off to Gadjovich. That’s something where better linemates can do more with a pretty good individual play by Labanc.

Period Three

Meier has five of #SJSharks 16 shots so far

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 10, 2021

Interesting start to period, Couture centering Barabanov and Gregor.

Yup, definite switch, Hertl with Dahlen and Meier.

Six in: Gorgeous Hertl/Karlsson give and go on exit.

Nine in: Wow, what a find by Labanc on entry. Has patience, then wires it cross ice to Meloche. Meloche shot causes Wild penalty.

Nine left: Meloche and Fiala have a good board battle, Meloche wins out.

#SJSharks went with a loaded-up power play and that led to goal — Hertl-Meier-Dahlen-Couture-Karlsson. Needed a goal, that's who they counted on

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 10, 2021

Gregor-Couture-Labanc line there, about five left — interesting rush oriented line.

Three left: Clever Meier bounce off boards to win the puck race.

Wow, clever Karlsson pass.

Not everyday you see Burns outmuscled to a loose puck — but Greenway is one guy who can, ENG should do it

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 10, 2021

Two left: Barabanov has to do better there. He bangs his stick on that ENG.