The Sharks losing streak reached three games as a lackluster effort against the Los Angeles Kings resulted in a 4-1 defeat at home on Thursday night. Joel Ward accounted for the only Sharks goal and sloppy play defined a game San Jose was never really in to begin with.
Playing without Paul Martin or Logan Couture the Sharks were forced to juggle their lines a bit and let’s just say the juggling balls are all on the floor now. The fourth line was a tire fire and Mike Brown ended up against Anze Kopitar more than once. Which is to say at least one more time than is necessary.
The Kings opened up the scoring thanks to a nifty move by Tyler Toffoli.
Tyler Toffoli with a crazy excellent goal pic.twitter.com/CDVdlauM2i
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 23, 2015
Despite strong play from the Sharks, LA doubled its advantage on a power play goal late in the second period.
it’s either Ehrhoff’s or Lucic’s…or Toffoli’s, apparently pic.twitter.com/ga3pUMZ4HV
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 23, 2015
Joe Thornton came off the ice rather messily late in the first but returned in the second period.
After the first period the Sharks held the corsi advantage, albeit helped along by a pair of power plays.
Things went poorly for the Sharks in the second period as the Kings scored again and San Jose generally looked out of sorts. Despite the Los Angeles onslaught, San Jose got on the board thanks to a nifty pass from Joe Pavelski to Joel Ward who scored his second of the season.
Joel Ward scores the first Sharks goal of the game as they trail 3-1 pic.twitter.com/FtzpnUPYre
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 23, 2015
Tommy Wingels went on to draw a pair of penalties, giving the Sharks a brief 5-on-3 power play. San Jose couldn’t convert, letting the Kings off the hook.
Lines were jumbled almost to excess in this one, with Tomas Hertl ending up on a line with Matt Nieto and Mike Brown to start the third period. Wild stuff. Speaking of Brown, he took a penalty midway through the third period and the Kings immediately capitalized to go up 4-1, all but ending the Sharks hope of a comeback. Thanks Brownie!
San Jose gets back at it on Saturday, hopefully with Paul Martin in the lineup.
Sharks goals (assists): Joel Ward (Joe Pavelski, Brenden Dillon)
[Fancy Stats] – [Kings Reaction] – [Event Summary] – [PBP Log] – [TOI Log] – [Faceoff Report]
Fear the Fin’s Three Stars
2) Jeff Carter
3) Tyler Toffoli
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