Sharks Lose 5 Straight to Start Season for First Time, Isles Win 5-2

ELMONT, N.Y. — The San Jose Sharks hit the road again, this time visiting the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.

Nico Sturm got the Sharks off to a quick start, and Evgeny Svechnikov added a goal, but San Jose lost 5-2. It’s the first time in franchise history that the Sharks have lost five straight to start the season.

#SJSharks have started out 0-4-0 three times.

In 1993-94, Sharks started 0-4-0 and tied vs. the Bruins (yes, a tie).

In 2019-20, Sharks started 0-4-0 & beat the Blackhawks (that was Marleau's first return to Sharks).

Let's see if San Jose can avoid franchise-first 0-5-0

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 18, 2022

Period 1

1 in: Good recovery by Vlasic, Barzal had a step, but Vlasic dove to shove it to Reimer. Disaster averted.

4 in: Lorentz can’t get it out, Islanders’ forecheck on top of it, leads to their first good chance.

7 in: Emerging 2-on-1, but Megna gets a step on potential passer, great last-second play.

9 in: A little forecheck there by Couture line. Sharks showing a little heartbeat.

10 in: Oof Karlsson NZ turnover. Backhand pass gifted to Isles.

Sturm goal: Sturm just bulls his way through Pelech to keep it alive.

That's a fantastic effort by Sturm, just bulls his way through Pelech, he's been one of the few Sharks forwards who has lived up to billing so far this season

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 19, 2022

Let's see if #SJSharks power play can at least maintain team's momentum here

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 19, 2022

By and large, they did. First unit was Karlsson-Couture-Hertl-Meier-Kunin, second unit was Ferraro-Lorentz-Bonino-Barabanov-Labanc.

3 left: Vlasic with the dive to get it out on PK.

Period 2

4 in: Fantastic can’t stop him play by Meier after Karlsson turnover. That bull in china shop is what Sharks need.

What a save then by Reimer after Meier’s line gets caught up ice.

7 in: Great effort by Couture to block that Nelson shot-pass.

9 in : Big stop by Reimer on Clutterbuck after Karlsson turnover.

Lee goal: Wow, Lee deflected that with one hand on the stick. That’s impressive. Vlasic didn’t control the stick, but that was a tough one, Lee is one of the best net front guys in the league and he pulled some highlight-reel stuff.

Was typing this NVM: "Here's a gut check time for Sharks. Once again, dominated in the second period. Outshot…"

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 19, 2022

Not sure how Parise got it, if he did. Sharks outshot 16-4 in the period.

Svechnikov goal: Sturm on the forecheck helped force the turnover. Smart play to not allow Islander to puck. Then just net drive.

2 left: Good backcheck effort by Labanc to even up potential 3-on-2 other way.

Wahlstrom goal: Reimer just flat-out beat. You need a save there — not that it was a bad goal, just time and situation, you need a clutch save — but Reimer has already made so many big saves tonight. And Wahlstrom’s got a great shot.

Period 3

2 in: Couture doesn’t like it, but power play kills the momentum again.

4 in: Don’t know if Kunin got everything on that 2-on-1 shot there. Nice saucer by Couture.

Wahlstrom goal: Sharks can’t get it out, skill just beats will there, OW picks a corner. Previous shift, Vlasic made maybe a questionable pinch high, that led to Isles chance, DZ faceoff that OW took advantage of.

"The fourth line has generated all the offense." @sharkvoice just said that, that about sums up tonight so far

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 19, 2022

10 in: Simek steps up on Wahlstrom high, takes it. That’s a good denied entry.

For the record, I don’t think the Sharks are this bad.

6 left: Decisive defense from Karlsson, hits Nieto at wing. A little spark there.