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Wild 3, Sharks 4: San Jose tames Minnesota

Posted on by Eduardo Razo

The San Jose Sharks were able to close out their current home stand on a positive note as they defeated the Minnesota Wild.

It was a weird first period as the Sharks found themselves in unfamiliar territory with only one shot during 5v5 play and two shots overall. Typically, it’s the Sharks generating a high rate of shots and controlling possession, but they were on the opposite end of that game plan after the first period. Nonetheless, the team walked away with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Marcus Sorensen goal heading into the first intermission.

During the second period, the Sharks returned to their norm as they generated 12 shots and possessed a 54% Corsi For which resulted in two goals. The Wild were able to break through finally and capitalize on their opportunities, 11 shots and 14 scoring chances, but the Sharks skated into the second intermission with a 3-1 lead.

However, in the third period, the Wild came out swinging as they would score two unanswered goals to tie the game up quickly. The Sharks would respond as Brent Burns fired a shot off a broken pass that was deflected by Barclay Goodrow, who picked up the eventual game-winner.

The Sharks now head out on the road for a two-game road trip to face playoff-hopeful teams in the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues.

Pregame

The current home stand didn’t start the way the San Jose Sharks had hoped, but after a victory on Saturday, the Sharks can end it on a positive note with the Minnesota Wild in town.

Although technically the second line in name, Timo Meier and Logan Couture along with the injured Tomas Hertl have done the heavy lifting offensively for the Sharks so far this season. Meier is the lone Shark with double-digit goals and is close to exceeding his total from last season. Couture is looking to continue to extend his point streak to ten games.

On the other hand, the Wild are off to a surprising start as they’re second in the division with 18 points. Mikael Granlund leads the team with 13 points while his line mate Zach Parise is nipping at his heels with 12 points.

The Wild are near the bottom in possession with a 48 percent Corsi For, but they’re one of the teams that are at the top in shots against. Expect the Sharks to control the puck for this match, but they’ll have to make most out of their scoring opportunities.

Lines

Lines are being thrown into a blender due to injury and because Peter DeBoer has yet to find a combination that works for him. The shuffling has landed Joonas Donskoi on the top line with Joe Pavelski and Evander Kane, while Joe Thornton will move down to the third line with Barclay Goodrow and Marcus Sorensen on his wings.

Also, with Tomas Hertl potentially missing tonight’s match, Kevin Labanc will slot onto the second line with Couture and Meier. Finally, Antti Suomela will get back into the lineup on the fourth line.

On the defensive side, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Erik Karlsson remain on different pairings to start the game while Brent Burns is with his familiar partner in Joakim Ryan. Martin Jones will get the start in net.

From NHL.com, here are the projected lines for the Minnesota Wild:

Zach Parise — Mikko Koivu — Mikael Granlund
Jordan Greenway — Eric Staal — Charlie Coyle
Jason Zucker — Joel Eriksson Ek — Nino Niederreiter
Marcus Foligno — Eric Fehr — J.T. Brown

Ryan Suter — Matt Dumba
Jonas Brodin — Jared Spurgeon
Nick Seeler — Greg Pateryn

Devan Dubnyk
Alex Stalock

Finally, here’s how the teams stack up against each other by the numbers:

Where to Watch

Tonight’s game will be broadcast on NBCS-CA and the radio call will be on 98.5 KFOX. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.

Check back then for live reactions and commentary.

Hey everyone! Eddie here and I’ll be liveblogging tonight’s action. After a long day lets kick back, pull up a seat and lets see if the Sharks can end this home stand on a high note.

First Period

20:00: Let’s drop the puck!

15:13: GOAL! Brent Burns with a beautiful pass and Marcus Sorensen with an open net to score

14:48: Erik Karlsson hustles back to help prevent a Wild goal

10:42: Martin Jones with a solid toe save to deny the Wild on the odd man rush

9:35: A Joe Pavelski tripping penalty sends the Sharks to the penalty kill

7:34: The Wild had their chances, but the Sharks are able to kill off the penalty

6:20: Erik Karlsson doing magical things with the puck but the Sharks are unable to score

End of the First Period

Oh how the tides have turned, normally it’s the Sharks that are out-shooting their opponent but tonight the Wild out-shot the Sharks in the first period six to one. However, even with their one shot on goal, it’s the Sharks who have the lead in the first intermission.

Second Period

18:57: Jonas Donskoi is close to giving the Sharks a 2-0 lead but Devan Dubnyk is able to deny him

14:24: GOAL! Sorensen with the knuckle puck to get his second of the night and it’s 2-0 Sharks

12:16: BING! Wild come close but the post denies them

7:49: Timo Meier gets a tripping call and the Sharks are heading to the penalty kill

7:04: Goal. The Wild have come close to scoring and they finally do with a power play goal by Zach Parise

4:42: Jones with a huge save on JT Brown to keep it 2-1 Sharks

2:52: GOAL! Antti Suomela gets behind the defense and goes upstairs to make it 3-1

:37: Dubnyk stops a tip-in shot from Evander Kane to keep it a two goal deficit

End of Second Period

A much different period in the second, after generating only one shot on goal during 5v5 play in the first, the Sharks put up 12 shots along with 13 scoring chances. During the second, the Sharks were able to score twice as they are able to carry a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.

Third Period

19:46: Meier looking to get his 12th goal, but is denied by Dubnyk

18:38: Goal. An early goal into the third period and the Wild have cut the Sharks lead to one

16:33: Goal. Matt Dumba with a slapshot from the blue line ties it up at three

16:07: Kane gets behind the defense but is unable to beat Dubnyk

12:35: GOAL! Brent Burns fires it past Dubnyk to give the Sharks the lead

11:43: Well, the Sharks are headed to the penalty kill

9:43: No harm done as the Sharks are able to kill of the Vlasic penalty

1:38: The Wild pull the goaltender

:05: Last chance for the Wild

Final Score: Sharks 4, Wild 3

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