Kahkonen Carries Sharks, But Losing Streak Goes to 7 in 1-0 OT Loss

The San Jose Sharks visit Music City to take on the Nashville Predators. Kaapo Kahkonen kept the Sharks in it in the first two periods, shutting out Nashville despite a 26-13 Shots deficit. KK continued to stand tall in the third period, ending 60 minutes with 40 saves and a 0-0 score. But the Predators came up with a 1-0 OT win.

Period 1

9 in: Like how Meloche takes care of business along the wall.

9 left: Don’t mind Hertl defending Gregor there, though Borowiecki did nothing really wrong. I mean he got called for a penalty but nothing that really needed someone to step up.

Hertl in the box, it’s Bonino who gets the call for his net front spot.

7 left: Nifty bit of catch between Ferraro and Dahlen on PP. For Ferraro, perhaps a sign that he’ll be worthy of being a PP staple. For Dahlen, a reminder of his skill.

2 in: But then Duchene crosses up Meloche a little, making space for a dangerous slot shot. Kahkonen has been good in this period.

San Jose Sharks worked by Nashville — 5-0 Slot Shots at Even Strength.

Period 2

2 in: Burns has a chance to advance to Reedy through NZ for attack, but clank, Preds’ counterattack, almost score. Importance of precision.

5 in: Duchene chance off botched Burns to Meier connection.

Balcers takes advantage of a fallen Pred, has a breakaway, but no dice.

Preds coming in waves at Sharks. Off missed Karlsson and Chmelevski pass, Sasha tries to hit the Predator in NZ with puck, opening up backside and Karlsson to 2-on-1. Karlsson can’t block centering pass, Luff has chance up gut. Then Sissons has another chance walking down with bad line change. The San Jose Sharks are playing a lot of bad hockey tonight.

No goal: But boy, Karlsson just had no pop trying to escape Duchene forecheck. Good call by assistant coach Dan Darrow on the offsides.

Looks like Ferraro-Burns, Megna-Karlsson last few shifts

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2022

Josi, Forsberg, and Duchene have 14 shots combined, more than the entire San Jose Sharks team..

Period 3

Hertl & Meier start the 3rd together, #SJSharks desperate for offense

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2022

Though Megna back with Burns.

3 in: Burns under duress, but that’s a bad, bad turnover from him, non-handed pass up the slot, that can’t happen. Kahkonen steps up (again).

5 in: Disagree with Drew there, I think, Gregor did right thing hanging back.

6 in: That’s a promising sequence. Reedy under duress finds Karlsson who had a lane to himself to exit. Dahlen finds a crease that’s open between two Predators. Then the backhand pass to Viel.

9 in: Vlasic changes when he shouldn’t, Nashville comes down with a 2-on-1, but Duchene goes high.

9 left: That’s ugly, twice, Karlsson and Ferraro can’t get it out.

7 left: Couture being too pretty there. Rare San Jose Sharks incursion into Nashville zone, tries drop pass to high slot that’s covered.

6 left: Nieto does nice job tying up man on 50-50, frees puck up for Gregor to skate into. Then Reedy turnaround in NZ, hits Balcers with speed. He’s making some plays.

Josi up to double-digit shots (10) for the first time this season

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2022

3 left: Burns puts Karlsson in tough spot with return pass off OZ faceoff win. Pred was right on Karlsson. Not Burns’s strongest game.

OT

Hertl-Meier-Karlsson to start.

Balcers up with Couture in OT, seems to be a reward

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 13, 2022

Just not Burns’s game: Balcers trying to get off, Burns throws it up to him, icing.

Now Bonino with Barabanov.