Giles Scores 1st NHL Goal, But Sharks Lose 3-2

San Jose Sharks hosted the Nashville Predators at SAP Center.

Patrick Giles and Collin Graf scored, but the Sharks lost 3-2.

Period 1

2 in: Dellandrea had Kovalenko in slot, 2-on-1 down-low. Can’t make the pass with touch, Kovalenko can’t handle what’s delivered. That’s the difference between a real third and fourth-liner, such a pass.

4 in: Giles knocks down 6-foot-4 Englund on forecheck.

5 in: Svechkov crosses over Vlasic, first save of the game for Georgiev is a big one.

6 in: Good work by Mukhamadullin to read-and-react to Forsberg speed, cuts him off. Then he pins Marchessault, Celebrini comes up with the puck.

7 in: Kovalenko does a good job of cutting into the high slot…and he passes, turns it over. Would wager coaches would love a shot there, at least go forward with the puck.

Englund 10-9 over Goodrow, not sure what prompted that. But credit to Goodrow for taking on the much-bigger player.

Cole Smith 10-9 over Desharnais, more of a wrestling match than anything. But to paraphrase Glen Powell in “Top Gun”, what is it with these guys? Last game was memorably fight-filled, three fights in four seconds. Cole Smith got Kovalenko from behind a little.

7 left: Good anticipation by Liljegren to intercept that rim. Then great work to kill clear-cut 2-on-1 pass. Strong shift for him.

3 left: Schuldt pass led him into traffic, but Eklund’s got to get that out.

Not a strong San Jose Sharks power play to end, no shots, a lot of slinging around of the puck but nothing dangerous set up.

Period 2

Once again, the San Jose Sharks are keeping up with a mid (but better) team, like to see it.

3 in: Giles good back-check, leads to a counterattack chance. Giles has made a good account of himself again. Had a good rush chance off a Goodrow pass earlier, hopefully he can pot one soon, would be his first NHL goal.

Forsberg goal: What a shot, picked the far corner. Georgiev hasn’t faced a lot, but I think he’s made his share of high-quality saves, and that was just a snipe. But 10th power play goal given up in the last six by the San Jose Sharks.

9 in: Beaut of a Will Smith stretch to Celebrini. Then Mukhamadullin does a determined job against Cole Smith against the boards. Been watching Mukhamadullin and Liljegren close tonight, have liked both.

10 in: Mukhamadullin right on time to close on O’Reilly. Then Grundstrom with a great feed to Ferraro in slot. Fourth line has been Sharks’ best this period.

9 left: Preds’ PK falls asleep, Celebrini hits Toffoli for the clean breakaway. Huge Saros saves.

Goodrow penalty: Grundstrom is willing with his body, the talent is there, but San Jose Sharks stop up the Preds’ exit, Giles does a good job along the wall, Grundstrom gets the puck high…and goes backwards. Goes south when he should go north, unforced turnover. I get the instinct, you see an open man at the point, but that’s not winning hockey, especially when you don’t execute. Get it in deep, go to work, your line’s been doing such a good job of it too. Don’t cosplay like you’re the ’85 Oilers. Goodrow takes a penalty defending, leading to…

Stamkos goal: That’s a goal-scorer. Basically got Georgiev to double-clutch, patience to wait him out. Just one-on-one, Georgiev made the first move, opened himself up.

Looks like ’70s Line got reunited midway through the second period.

Period 3

Giles goal: Phenomenal work on the forecheck by Goodrow, then Grundstrom! Perfect pass to Giles. First NHL goal of Giles’s career! And credit to Grundstrom, who I lambasted last period, talent is more than there for solid third-fourth line forward.

CONGRATS TO PATRICK GILES ON HIS FIRST CAREER NHL GOAL!#TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/doRMEPyYHK

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 12, 2025

Graf goal: Again on the forecheck, Wennberg pressure forces an errant Stastney pass to Smith. That’s all Will Smith from that point, patience, suck in Blankenburg toward him, Graf finishes.

New Sharks lines, 70’s Line back, Graf-Wennberg-Smith, Kovalenko-Dellandrea-Kostin, fourth line abides.

Bellows goal: Georgiev’s got to be better there, puckhandling mishap, not aware of the Preds’ forecheck there? That hurts.

7 in: That was wild, did Saros stop that? Celebrini finds Toffoli all alone in slot, looks like Toffoli was forced from the shot he wanted, tried to pass it back to Eklund crashing net.

4 left: Big Georgiev save on Forsberg breakaway, Sharks pressing to tie, lose Forsberg.

1 left: Celebrini comes out on the PK, good coaching move there, try to push offense.