Sharks Come Back Late Again, But Fall Short in Vegas Shootout

The San Jose Sharks visit T-Mobile Arena to take on the Vegas Golden Knights.

Mario Ferraro and Mike Hoffman (twice) and Calen Addison, and the Sharks came back once again, but they fell short 5-4 in the shootout.

Period 1

Ferraro goal: Duclair does a nice job on the screen and handing it off to Granlund. Granlund protects it around the net up top.

Labanc gets the promotion next to Hertl with Eklund’s last-minute absence. Quinn was very complimentary of Labanc’s recent stretch this morning.

6 in: Nice job by Zadina, looks like he beats Cotter to puck on forecheck. Like. Then Zetterlund finds Duclair for the one-timer in the slot. Grazes post?

9 left: Rutta seems to surprise Eichel high, nice defensive work, pushes it out.

5 left: Determined work by Zadina and MacDonald on the forecheck, Mac chance. I’ve liked Zadina the last two games. A perhaps more direct forechecking game.

4 left: Fantastic Granlund pass to Burroughs coming down slot. Another one. But then Burroughs takes an ill-advised OZ penalty. San Jose Sharks need a big kill here.

1 left: Remenda is right, not sure why Barabanov’s stick isn’t down and ready for a shot there. Understand that was an extra pass after a great Barabanov-to-Labanc pass, but that’s not winning hockey from Barabanov. Which matters for a pending UFA who’s being evaluated by many eyes.

Looked solid, was solid. San Jose Sharks 1-0 High-Danger, 2-2 Slot Shots at ES.

Period 2

Anthony Duclair hurt here pic.twitter.com/8h8dNym73Z

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) December 11, 2023

2 in: Zadina goes coast-to-coast. A taste of the skill.

Marchessault goal: Not much you can do there. Addison makes the right play, but can’t keep the puck in. It’s a 2-on-1, Thrun takes away the pass. Marchessault just beats Kahkonen one-on-one.

Sturm high sticking: Oh man, tough with San Jose Sharks with all the OZ momentum. Yes, that’s a real sentence. Inadvertent penalty.

Zetterlund PK: Gotta re-watch, he was a force out there.

10 in: Like that Hoffman effort to draw the call.

Barabanov on PP1 in Eklund’s place, with Hertl-Granlund-Zetterlund-Addison. Then MacDonald-Labanc-Bailey jump on, but not entire unit comes out. Maybe Hoffman out too? MacDonald chance, off Zetterlund, under duress, pass. Confident play by Z.

7 left: Kahkonen bails out Okhotiuk. Okhotiuk misses the puck coming down the slot, 2-on-1 the other way. That was ugly.

Stephenson goal: San Jose Sharks weren’t going to keep getting away with these penalties. Nice misdirection, Stone steps toward net, Ferraro flashes toward him, but Stone goes back to point, Stephenson circles behind Ferraro, net front.

Sharks still playing well, VGK 6-5 Slot Shots, 4-3 High-Danger at ES. They’re in it.

Period 3

Duclair done for night.

McNabb goal: Starts with an ugly neutral zone turnover from Labanc. Then Remenda is right, not great Sharks defensive coverage. Okhotiuk maybe respecting Stone too much, for one. Then they lose McNabb. Looks like Barabanov isn’t covering anyone.

Bailey draws another penalty. He’s done a very good job of that, being a load to play against, playing hard, plus big and fast.

Granlund on point for five-forward Sharks power play. Hertl-Zetterlund-Barabanov-Labanc on it. Addison-MacDonald-Zadina-Hoffman-Sturm on PP2?

Hoffman goal: Well Quinn wanted Hoffman to shoot more. Didn’t say how or from where. Pure luck, but you take it.

Marchessault goal: But then the Golden Knights get some bounces. Earned though.

9 in: Sharks push back though, pretty Hertl pass to Zadina. Zadina getting another chance higher in the line-up.

8 left: Aggressive kill by Thrun in corner, you like to see that, kill that play.

5 left: 3-minute shift for Burroughs there. Do Sharks have more comeback magic tonight?

Addison goal: Great battle from Zadina on the other side to win the puck one-on-one. He might deserve a higher role soon. Like simplicity I’m seeing in his game.

Hoffman goal: Great work by Bailey all shift. All over the place. Just awesome pass from Hertl to Hoff.

HOFFMAN TIES IT ARE YOU KIDDING ME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GyGPQMvhK6

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) December 11, 2023

Sharks do finish over .500 on this road trip. Unbelievable, considering where they started.

OT

Granlund-Sturm-Ferraro to start. Zetterlund jumps on quick for Sturm, maybe just a faceoff thing.