Merkley Takes Dirty Hit? Sharks Lose 4-2

VANCOUVER — The San Jose Sharks come to Rogers Arena for the first time this season. Tomas Hertl scored a first period power play goal, Nick Bonino added his third in four games, but the Canucks edged the Sharks 4-2.

Period 1

Kahkonen looks like he makes a highlight-reel save, stretching out left pad.

Dickinson goal: Merkley makes a dangerous drop pass on entry, it gets picked off, Canucks go other way. Merkley might’ve been watching the pass, he gets buried a tick late by Burroughs? Also, Kaapo gets pulled out by Dickinson. On replay, don’t think that was late. But definite shoulder into head. Surprised there’s no call on Canucks there.

#SJSharks Ryan Merkley got hit hard by Buroughs, went right to the bench as #Canucks scored to make it 1-0 pic.twitter.com/Nl0xH43tGm

— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) April 10, 2022

Merkley: "I thought it was solid. I don't think it was dirty. I don't think he was trying to hit me in the head. He's probably told to finish checks. I was crossing the blue line there."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 10, 2022

Gregor stepped up for Meier there, that will be appreciated.

Too casual from Burns to Karlsson on PP entry?? No Miller slashing.

Hertl goal: Hopefully this calms down San Jose Sharks. They’ve been too casual so far tonight. Even before, Meier couldn’t enter on a Sharks’ 2-man advantage.

9 in: Maybe not. The Sharks still just as careless on PP. Canucks probably outshot Sharks on it.

Nieto closes on point on shift after PP. Maybe Sharks can find some stability defensively. Not coming through offense.

Soft call on Burns there, I think. Maybe trying to get control of a heated game so far.

Out of box, nifty pass from Karlsson to Burns.

7 left: Nifty chance off draw for Couture, have to re-watch.

Big stick by Vlasic on PK to block Grade-A. Then good read by Balcers to spy centering pass.

1 left: Chmelevski trying to navigate NZ, gets caught.

Sloppy period by San Jose Sharks, but Canucks didn’t take enough advantage: 1-1 Slot Shots at ES, 2-2 High-Danger at 5-on-5.

Period 2

Garland goal: Too much of a hope play by Meier. Ferraro wasn’t that close to the puck. Understand the idea, Ferraro coming down slot, but he didn’t appear to have a step on the Canucks player on him. Maybe Ferraro called for it, and Meier just trusted. Ferraro’s head was down after the goal. But regardless — not a great read by either party.

7 in: Chmelevski has a good shot. Off the post.

9 in: Off OZ Sharks, Karlsson and Merkley on back-end. Merkley as your OZ specialist is an interesting maneuver. I have time for that. Karlsson had a turnover on a backhand exit pass to Nieto near blueline, but it’s been a classic Karlsson calculation tonight — good has definitely outweighed the bad. He’s on.

10 in: Good defensive read by Gregor to step in front of centering pass, off to the races.

Horvat might go down easy, but that’s not a good-looking penalty by Gregor. Why reach your hand out like that?

6 left: Vlasic strong on Hoglander on this shift. If Sharks buy him out, I predict he will hook on somewhere quick.

5 left: Outstanding backcheck by Gregor on Horvat.

4 left: Two plays by Sasha, one I liked, one I didn’t. First, he dumps it in, but has no speed to put pressure on Canucks. He’s a guy with his feet that must rely on putting his teammates in a better position. But next time down the ice, in a tight space, makes a beautiful entry pass into I think Couture. Leads to Meier chance. More of the latter, less of the former.

Bonino goal: What a tip. Looked like entry was started by a Bonino backcheck on Garland that popped up for Gregor to skate into. That line has again been strong.

Period 3

Strong period by San Jose Sharks, now 7-3 Slot Shots at ES.

Chiasson goal: Short side, bad angle, but — off post too. I’m obviously no goaltending guy but looked like Kahkonen got lured off post, then Chiasson put it off there. Not a likely shot to make.

Megna has a smart pinch there to keep puck alive for the San Jose Sharks. See Dahlen up with Meier and Couture. Wonder if that will be a thing with Sharks down.

4 in: Gregor tireless on puck as Canucks try to exit.

Meier penalty: This is a game that he’s going to want to forget.

7 in: Good work by Nieto on kill, leads to partial Couture break.

7 left: Meier skies a dead to rights slot one-timer. This is a challenge game for him tonight, can he finish strong?

3 left: Got to watch again, but that’s a Merkley play I don’t love. Spends too much time with puck too himself, decision leads to nothing.

Goalie out, you can see how important Meier is to Sharks’ offense on that 6-on-5.

During #SJSharks post game, Couture clarified that he was talking at EK specifically, but at EK, Burns,and Meier about being aware of the clock and that it wasn't directed at any one player. https://t.co/FtQBdL4jym

— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) April 10, 2022

Full Couture quote on heated convo w/ Karlsson etc.. I will say the play lines up with what he's saying. Live, I thought it was peculiar for Logan to rim puck with just a sec left instead of a quick pass up, desperation long shot at Demko pic.twitter.com/sLQ7ZWVrcx

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 10, 2022