Notes #43: Reimer Restores Order in Capital, Sharks Win 4-1

WASHINGTON — The San Jose Sharks start a harrowing road trip (without Erik Karlsson for the foreseeable future) against the Washington Capitals. James Reimer fought back chance after chance, as the Sharks took a lead off Noah Gregor and Nicolas Meloche goals. The Sharks pulled it out 4-1.

Reimer leads #SJSharks out in DC. Reimer, by the way, has a 5.74 GAA and an .849 Save % since Xmas pic.twitter.com/l8vERjGmDA

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 26, 2022

Period One

Five in: Dahlen on entry, Meier at wing, they’re covered, but Megna is sneaking up other lane unmarked. Does Dahlen see him too late?

Six in: Good hustle by Gadjovich to win puck in corner on dump-in, leads to OZ face-off for San Jose Sharks.

Gregor goal: Barabanov backcheck, Burns step-up turns over puck, Hertl and Barabanov gain entry, then Burns down low with the vision to find Gregor.

Ten in: That’s an example of a better Gregor detail this year. Doesn’t skate full tilt into Capital defense, pauses to make right play.

This is kind of detail play that I've liked more from Gregor this year: He gets the puck in center lane for breakout, instead of immediately challenging defense and risking turnover, he takes a beat to make sure he's making the right play before skating puck up pic.twitter.com/g061d2wWtO

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 27, 2022

Three straight big saves by Reimer, the Sharks will need that tonight and on this trip

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 27, 2022

Four left: Great work by Couture and Meier below goal line, Meier finds Dahlen all alone, but the rookie can’t bury.

Three left: Sharks have just survived second half of this period. Megna was caught, deer in headlights, by Wilson, behind net. Ugly. Ovechkin missed on a point-blank chance, he was looking to the sky. Reimer made saves too but Caps missed the net on a couple point-blank chances too.

Yup #ALLCAPS 7-4 Slot Shots per SPORTLOGiQ https://t.co/1hyHRtnzfN

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 27, 2022

STAT NOTE: @MeierTimo had 5 shots on goal in the 1st period, equaling a #SJSharks season high. It's the 4th time a SJ player has had 5 in a period this year, and Timo has done it 3 times (Jonathan Dahlen is the other).

— Dan Rusanowsky (@DanRusanowsky) January 27, 2022

Period Two

Two in: Gadjovich has had decent jump on pucks tonight.

Meloche goal: Caps have a four-on-two, but too casual by Wilson, hard back-checking Meier makes life harder. Reimer stops ensuing shot. Eventually, Caps fall asleep and let Meloche walk down slot for his first NHL goal.

Eight left: Reimer, then Meloche with a save. Meloche robs Leason. Reimer has had some luck, but his performance tonight has got to calm some nerves after his recent struggles.

Couture hasn’t had the cleanest game, but he’s doing good junkyard work down low. Just led to the San Jose Sharks’ first power play tonight.

This Sharks power play too casual: Reimer saved their bacon again. Wilson shortie chance.

#ALLCAPS 7-4 Slot Shots again in the second period — #SJSharks kind of hanging on here, thank Reim Time

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 27, 2022

Period Three

Right after NBC flashes San Jose Sharks’ 14-0-0 record leading after two periods, Sprong gets one off faceoff. Looks like Sharks will have to find another gogal in them?

Then a Wilson post: The Caps are coming. Then another post from distance. That was Meier line getting cratered too.

Four in: Ovechkin at point, someone challenge him. Sharks up by one, not by three.

Meier seems to be taking extra-long shifts here — I think he has the green light.

Nine in: To some degree, San Jose Sharks appear to have calmed things down a little here defensively. Ferraro stops centering pass right then and there, alert.

Ten in: Good Sharks’ defensive 1-2-2 in neutral zone. Vlasic challenges Ovechkin in NZ. Meier helps out, grabs loose puck, hits Couture up middle. Couture fires a shot, Samsonov holds, but Sharks territory win.

That’s a tough call: I thought it deflected out. Big save by Reimer on Ovechkin office one-timer. Then Nieto has a chance to finish game — but Samsonov stops him on break and follow-up. Then another Reimer stop on Ovy. Burns takes a smart beat with puck instead of immediate blast down ice.

Fantastic Couture-Meier give-and-go. Meier beats Ovechkin to slot pass.

Four left: What a one-on-one effort by Cogliano on Hagelin, chasing him up top.

Dahlen goal: Meier looks so happy for Dahlen. Great job by rookie to use Bonino as screen.