Karlsson Off to Career-Best Start, But Sharks Lose 4-3 Heartbreaker

The San Jose Sharks welcomed the Tampa Bay Lightning to SAP Center this afternoon. Erik Karlsson scored a pair and Nico Sturm added another, but the Sharks lost it in the last minute.

Period 1

Hedman goal: Couture line gets caught deep, Barabanov can’t keep up with trailer Hedman. Big play was Point, I think, snuffing out Couture in corner as LC tries to hit AB.

Karlsson goal: Hertl forecheck helps force turnover to Karlsson.

1 in: Good battle by Bonino to get it out. Not completely related, but wing might be a good home for him long-term. Can see him excelling there.

4 in: Megna to Kunin in slot, that’s the kind of between the hashmarks offense that Quinn wants to create.

9 in: Like that forechecking shift from Labanc and Ferraro.

10 in: Karlsson looking spry, but turnover in middle of slot, no bueno. He doesn’t have support behind him, Tampa outnumbered coming back, Svechnikov beat up ice.

9 left: San Jose Sharks letting too much royal road stuff through.

Sharks PP: Maybe Barabanov is a guy who just flourishes as a complementary forward to stars? Some guys don’t drive play, but the right guy next to him, they blossom.

Period 2

Sturm goal: Vasilveskiy will want that back, but San Jose Sharks have played well to open period.

8 left: Good stickhandling by Reimer to keep in trapezoid.

7 left: Fantastic stretch pass from Benning to Nieto. We saw that recently in another game from MB.

6 left: Almost ugly. Karlsson up on play, Hertl covering at point, that’s fine. Hertl tries to filter it to Karlsson, but I think Hagel sneaks behind Hertl in the process, creating 2-on-1 other way when Hertl rim intercepted and goes the other way. Not sure if it’s on Svechnikov to cover. Megna breaks his stick blocking Kucherov bid, good D from him, but San Jose Sharks escape there.

Killorn goal: You would like a stop from Reimer there situationally, but it starts with Meier, credit to Cernak, unable to get it through the big defenseman in deep. Meier was trying to do the right thing there. Megna got caught a little high before 2-on-1.

After getting cracked 6-2 Slot Shots at ES in 1st, Sharks have tied it up 6-6 in 2nd, showing their quality of play.

Period 3

And Karlsson now has the best goalscoring start to a season in his career with 6 in 11 https://t.co/6gBGMReI2L

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 29, 2022

Sharks (or refs) are…frustrating Lightning. Off draw, Kucherov whistled, Point slaps puck against boards in frustration

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 29, 2022

6 left: Barabanov skies a gimme pass from Meier. What a feed, crowd would have erupted.

5 left: San Jose Sharks have held Lightning to two shots in the period.

But then a reminder of what Karlsson cannot turn back time on: His ability to accept the rush has been compromised for years, Point just steps past him. But Karlsson’s effort is there, just trying to avoid call.

2 left: Penalty kill picks up Ferraro there.

Kucherov goal: Heartbreaker.