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Flyers 3, Sharks 4 (OT): Meier stays hot as Sharks burn Flyers in overtime

Star Wars Night was questionable for General Pickard.

Tonight’s game didn’t start how the San Jose Sharks would’ve liked when the Philadelphia Flyers got out to an early lead with a Nolan Patrick goal in the opening minute. However, the Flyers found themselves chasing the puck through the first period, as the Sharks dominated possession with a 66 percent Corsi for, eventually resulting in a Timo Meier goal that tied the game at one.

In the second period, the Sharks maintained possession, but it wasn’t as lopsided as it was in the first. That allowed the Flyers were able to regain their lead, but not without the Sharks answering back to tie it once again. In the final second of the third, the Flyers were able to recover the lead once more thanks to Jakub Voráček.

That third goal wasn’t the only devastating loss in that period. Tomas Hertl exited and never returned to the game after taking a headshot hit in a play that didn’t result in a penalty.

Despite Hertl once again leaving mid-game, the Sharks tied the game with under five minutes left when Joe Thornton scored his first goal since January. Without enough time in regulation for either team to push it in either direction, the game headed into overtime where it was Timo Meier who scored the game-winner just seconds into the period. The Sharks walk away with two points and put an end to their two-game losing streak.

Pregame

After a successful three-game road trip last week, the current homestand hasn’t gone as planned for the San Jose Sharks. They’ll look to turn their performance around as they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to SAP Center for Star Wars Night.

The Sharks are currently riding a two-game losing streak after losses to the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. In their loss to the Blue Jackets, much focus came from the defensive pairings, as Peter DeBoer elected again to split up Erik Karlsson and Marc-Édouard Vlasic. Nonetheless, their play from the blueline isn’t the reason for their loss on Thursday.

If the Sharks are looking to end their losing streak at two, they’re going to need a better offensive performance. Against the Blue Jackets, the team could only muster a 2.6 shooting percentage, which ties a season-low, despite putting up 45 shots on goal. The Flyers will be starting in Calvin Pickard in the net, who might be an ideal opponent to help the Sharks get out of their funk.

One name that will look to take advantage of the Flyers third-string goaltender is Logan Couture. The 29-year-old has the chance to extend his eight-game point streak to nine, with 13 points over eight games.

Meanwhile, the Flyers come in after victories over the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, hoping to take all three games on their road trip through California. After rough struggles to their season, the Flyers have put together back-to-back solid performances.

Claude Giroux is someone that the Sharks will have to keep their eye on. The 31-year-old leads the team in points (14), while Wayne Simmonds holds the lead in goals (8). The Flyers are a middle of the pack regarding their possession, so expect the Sharks to maintain the puck for most of the game.

Lines

After a bad offensive night on Thursday, the Sharks are putting Evander Kane back on the Joe line while Timo Meier goes down to the second line with Couture and Tomas Hertl. THe one notable move is the healthy scratch of Antti Suomela, with fellow rookie Rourke Chartier taking his place as the third line center.

In the crease, Martin Jones gets the start for the Sharks.

According to NHL.com, the Flyers will roll out these lines against the Sharks:

Claude Giroux — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny
Oskar Lindblom — Nolan Patrick — Jakub Voracek
Dale Weise — Jordan Weal — Wayne Simmonds
Scott Laughton — Jori Lehtera — Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Ivan Provorov — Robert Hagg
Shayne Gostisbehere — Christian Folin
Travis Sanheim — Radko Gudas

Calvin Pickard
Brian Elliott

Sam Carchidi of Philly.com confirmed that the Flyers will go with Pickard in net instead of Brian Elliott, who was in net when the Sharks put in eight goals past him last month.

Finally, here are some more stats on tonight’s match up:

Tonight’s game will be broadcast on NBCSCA 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 live blogging tonight’s action and here’s hoping that the Sharks can end their two-game losing streak against the Flyers.

First Period

20:00: Lets drop the puck!

19:23: Well ..... that was quick, Flyers up 1-0 thanks to Nolan Patrick

16:45: Timo time! Tomas Hertl to Timo Meier and we are tied at 1

15:20: After giving up the early goal, the Sharks are possessing the puck and generating a high amount of scoring chances

9:56: Pavelski’s tip goes wide of the net as the Sharks were close to taking the lead.

8:26: Timo comes close to getting his second goal but Pickard is able to deny him

8:25: Sharks head to their first power play of the night

6:25: The Flyers are back to even strength as they are able to kill off the Sharks power play

3:20: Despite all the scoring chances the Sharks had, it’s the Flyers who break the tie and make it 2-1 thanks to Jordan Weal

1:49: The Sharks will end the first period on the penalty kill with a penalty by Timo Meier

End of the First Period

After giving up the early goal to the Flyers, the Sharks dominated the first period with a 66% Corsi For which led to a Timo Meier goal to tie it up; however, stop me if you’ve heard this story plenty of times this season, despite the Sharks controlling the puck and generating scoring chances they are down 2-1 after one.

Second Period

19:42: Martin Jones is able to stop Jakub Voráček to keep the game tied

15:12: The Sharks are back at even strength and are able to kill off the penalty

10:02: Claude Giroux goes into the box for hooking and the Sharks are on the power play

9:25: GOAL! Joe Pavelski finishes off the pass from Kevin Lebanc and we are tied at 2

9:10: Pavelski almost gives the Sharks the lead on his one-timer shot but Pickard is able to deny him

3:31: Burns comes close but somehow the puck stays out of the Flyers net!

:30: The Flyers untie the game once again as Voráček beats Jones and it’s 3-2 Flyers

End of the Second Period

Unlike the first period, the Sharks didn’t dominate possession of the puck in the second period as the Flyers tighten their defensive game. Nonetheless, they were able to tie the game courtesy of Joe Pavelski, but with seconds remaining in the period it was the Flyers once again taking the lead with a Jakub Voráček to make it 3-2.

Third Period

13:14: Donskoi comes close but the puck stays out of the net

12:30: Melker Karlsson nearly ties it but his tip goes wide

11:15: Sharks go on the penalty kill for too many men on the ice

9:15: Penalty is killed and the Sharks are back to even strength

6:02: Sharks dodge a bullet as the Flyers almost made it 4-2

4:57: GOAL! Joe Thornton with a snapshot and we have tie game

End of the Third Period

Looks like we are going to have some free hockey.

Overtime

4:47: GOAL! Timo time in overtime!

Final Score: Sharks 4, Flyers 3

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