Eklund Scores Penalty Shot Goal, But Kraken Take It 2-1 in OT

The San Jose Sharks welcome the Seattle Kraken into SAP Center. William Eklund scored on the penalty shot, but Seattle won it 2-1 in OT.

Period 1

4 in: Lorentz and Zetterlund roll in on a 2-on-0…and Lorentz, a little too unselfish, tries to give it to the slumping Zetterlund. But the pass isn’t that close, and a Grade A+ chance turns to nothing.

Eklund early in the PK, first time I think I've seen that

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 17, 2023

10 in: Clever work by Eklund, first, checks shoulder, sees Borgen on him, able to hold him off and move it. Then sees Zetterlund screaming off the bench before everyone else, hits him with the pass, but Zetterlund can’t fire away in time. Partly created by Couture covering for Karlsson, Couture eliminated his man.

7 left: Good play by Couture, got smoked, but got it out.

He headed back to the Sharks' room. https://t.co/NVrSAGErsR

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) March 17, 2023

3 left: Not the prettiest shift, Vlasic had Hertl for exit but went wrong way, as if he expected a different-handed player there. Then Knyzhov makes a soft pass up middle for exit, but it’s intercepted.

2 left: Eklund whiffed or had his stick interrupted on what looked like an open net. Good 4-on-4 shift with Couture.

1 left: Whoa, what a play. Karlsson pushes the defense back with Sturm and Gregor skating hard too, then a perfect lead pass to the rocketing Gregor, bang-bang breakaway, post. That would’ve been in Karlsson’s highlight reel forever if that went in.

Erik Karlsson in his bag. pic.twitter.com/8MNVmIw1sy

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 17, 2023

San Jose Sharks have shown up tonight, 3-2 Slot Shots so far.

Period 2

Per San Jose Sharks, Svechnikov will not return.

2 in: What a pass by Labanc. Finds that seam to Hertl cross slot. But Hertl has to gather, giving Grubauer a chance to recover. But good to see Kevin making plays.

5 in: Whoa, Gregor makes Larsson look bad, pushes back defense, bullets it at Grubauer. He’s had a step.

9 in: Poor Vlasic and Karlsson exchange leads to an outnumbered the other way, but Reimer negates it. He’s been good.

8 left: Eklund tried to finish on Dunn, uh, just spun off. Still needs to put on some strength!

7 left: One for Pouliot’s career highlight reel. He looks off Karlsson, then snaps a gorgeous end-to-end stretch pass to Johnsson.

Then human centipede in front of Reimer to protect a goal after Reimer makes a mistake coming out after puck. Vlasic, Knyzhov, Gregor there, not sure who stopped it. Good times!

4 left: Think Labanc blocks it high, along with Eklund, San Jose Sharks are on a 2-on-1…but Labanc can’t deliver the cross-slot pass or a hard shot. Crowd was excited for a moment.

Period 3

Eklund goal: That’s a beaut! Credit to Labanc, who delivered the pass. Five-hole on Grubauer.

Eklund exhorts the crowd after penalty shot goal pic.twitter.com/DcjRiNI8b6

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 17, 2023

Bjorkstrand goal: Karlsson last man back, but stretch pass was to Pouliot’s side. Gotta watch again, did a forward not cover?

10 in: Early timeout by the Kraken, really trying to get this power play sorted.

8 left: Eklund likes that sneaky going one way but I’m not backhand pass behind the net. Tried Barabanov there. A couple games ago, a coach I spoke with called it a not good hope pass, and I haven’t seen that work in the NHL level. But maybe it will! I’m not totally against him working out the kinks here. Maybe he’ll learn that’s a play that doesn’t work at NHL? It’s been sniffed out so far.

3 left: Sturm with desperation defensive play to negate Seattle chance, then for a moment, Gregor and Sturm hit 2-on-1, but credit to Kraken, Borgen tracks back hard to erase Sturm.

OT

Eklund-Hertl-Karlsson to start.